More than just books
Wednesday 14 November 2007
There’s some excellent books out there written by and for young people. n2k goes to meet a crew who love books so much that they started their own website about them!
Spinebreakers
Spinebreakers.co.uk was launched this September and is an on line book community for teenagers, run by teenagers and set up by Penguin books. There are around nine 13-18 year olds in the Spinebreakers crew who basically run the site and make all the editorial decisions, supported by a large network of contributing teen editors from across the UK.
So what would Naomi and Nieve say to people who think books are boring? “I’d say you’re probably reading the wrong books,” replies Nieve. “Or maybe that you are boring,” adds Naomi. Nieve agrees, “Yes it’s true to read books you need a good imagination and if you’re boring then you don’t have one!”
The Spinebreakers don’t just read and write about books they also work with journalists, authors, editors and web designers to create a whole multi media, social networking experience. On the website you will find videos, audio reviews, soundtracks alternative endings for some of the hottest reads and even alternative book covers designed by the crew. Check out an alternative ending for ‘Being’ by Kevin Brookes, re written by Max from Spinebreakers and read here by Naomi, above.
Nieve chose a short passage from her favourite book of the moment – ‘Just In Case’ by Meg Rosof, and read it out to camera to give you a taste.
n2k recommends…
'Apples' by Richard Milward
Richard Milward is a student at St Martin ’s and has written this youth novel a tale of growing up for the Skins/ Myspace generation. It’s all about a girl called Eve who grows up on a Middlesbrough council estate and finds herself dealing with sleazy male admirers, spiteful classmates and her mother’s cancer. In the meantime a boy called Adam starts obsessing over her but is too busy doing nothing in his bedroom to actually make a move... Adam, Eve, apples - geddit? Read some reviews.
Free Christmas present?
Where did the river go – Peter Corey
Stuck for something to get your little brother or sister for Chrismtas.. how about a book, free? Where did the river go? is a limited edition storybook commissioned by learndirect for children aged between 5-9. The book was written by Peter Corey, who has written numerous books, TV shows and plays. If you were to meet him, you might also recognise him from TV programmes such as One Foot in the Grave and The Bill. To get your free book check out the website..
