It started in 2007. Two brothers, John and Hank Green, made the decision to abandon text messaging to each other and communicate, instead, through daily videoblogs on YouTube. In these vlogs, the brothers discussed social justice issues, Hank wrote/sang hit songs, and John discussed his many books for teens/young adults.
What started as a private project, Brotherhood 2.0 (youtube.com/vlogbrothers), turned into a YouTube sensation as the people who watched the videos started to form a community. The community began calling themselves the Nerdfighters: Fighters for the Rights of Nerds.
In 2008, with over 40,000 subscribers, the brothers created a website: nerdfighters.ning.com. From this website they talk about books, writing, reading and social justice issues. The site has become a kind of "sandbox" for the teens and young adults that have followed along, allowing them a way to express their creativity through writing and art. The Green Brothers have become an Internet sensation and are taking their show on the road as only the VlogBrothers can.
John and Hank's videos have been watched more than 11 million times, making theirs one of the most popular channels in YouTube history. The Green brothers have been featured in The Wall Street Journal and on NPR, Fox News, and BBC Radio.
On Saturday, November 15, Tour de NerdFighting will be visiting Racine for two exclusive appearances. At 2 p.m., the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., will host a meet and greet with the celebrities where John's books, Hank's cd's, and other NerdFighter items will be available for signing.
At 4 p.m., the Racine Park and Recreation Dept. will host the Tour de NerdFighting event at the John Bryant Center, 601 21st St., where John Green will read from his newly released book, "Paper Towns," Hank will share his much beloved hit songs, and a NerdFighter discussion of all things important will take place. The Green Brothers will be available for signing books, CD's and other NerdFighter items after the program. The event is free and no registration is necessary.
John Green, the celebrated author of 2006 Michael L. Printz Medal winner Looking for Alaska and 2007 Michael L. Printz Honor book An Abundance of Katherines, is bringing readers his highly anticipated third novel, Paper Towns. Green is the only American to be twice recognized by the Printz committee. Both his previous books were finalists for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and are being developed into films. John's work has been translated into eleven languages, winning many awards internationally.
As a final enticement, John Green says of the NerdFighter's event: "General NerdFighting will take place! Tell the people there will be lots of free stuff floating around! At every tour stop, we'll give away books; but more importantly, because we're doing the city-to-city gift exchange, there will be t-shirts, NerdFighter art and jewelry, and God knows what else to give away. Then, during the signing, we'll collect gifts for the next city."
Mark your calendars, NerdFighters…its time to get organized!
More Information about John Green's latest book: PAPER TOWNS
In Paper Towns, the popular and extravagantly mischievous Margo Roth Spiegelman cracks open a window and climbs back into her next-door neighbor Quentin's life after a decade grown apart from him. Though their all-nighter through Orlando feels to Q like the beginning of a new life, he arrives at school the next day to discover that Margo has vanished—always an enigma, she has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that Margo has left behind clues—and they're for him. With nothing left to guide him but a seemingly random collection of maps, books, online entries, and an annotated copy of Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself," Q and his friends must find Margo and unpeel the ever-changing layers of meaning behind her "paper towns." Urged down this disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.
A brilliantly ambitious novel, Paper Towns is distinguished by Green's trademark wit and searing emotional honesty, which have inspired a new generation of readers. For more information about John Green's books and videos, you can visit nerdfighters.com and sparksflyup.com.
About John Green
John Green has been a commentator on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" and has reviewed books for publications including The New York Times and Booklist. His first novel, Looking For Alaska, won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award and his second novel, An Abundance of Katherines, was a 2007 Michael L. Printz Honor Book. Although John grew up amid the subdivisions and theme parks of Orlando (where Paper Towns is set) he now lives in Indianapolis, IN with his wife, Sarah.
For more information, please contact Jess Michaels, Associate Director of Publicity Penguin Young Readers Group, 212.414.3437/ jessica.michaels@us.penguingroup.com
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Teen Reed Week Book Nominations
2008 teens’ top 10 nominations
It's Teen Read Week! Vote now for the 2008 Teens' Top Ten! Voting takes place through midnight on Saturday, October 18,2008.
Before I Die by Jenny Downham.
Tessa, who has terminal cancer, creates a list of ten things she wants to do in the months she has left to live. This fierce and devastating novel explores end-of-life realities with honesty and grace.
Betrayed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast.
Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has accepted her powers and role as Leader of the Dark Daughters. But too soon the people Zoey cares about from her old life are in danger, and it looks like the House of Night is killing human teenagers.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.
Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-yearold Clary Fray is drawn into this bizarre world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.
Daemon Hall by Andrew Nance and Colin Polhemus, illus.
Famous horror story writer R. U. Tremblin comes to the town of Maplewood to hold a short story writing contest, offering the five finalists the chance to spend what turns out to be a terrifying--and deadly--night with him in a haunted house.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.
Greg records his sixth grade experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular, Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship.
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.
Bella must choose between her friendship with Jacob and her relationship with Edward, but when Seattle is ravaged by a string of killings, the three of them need to decide whether their personal lives are more important than the well-being of an entire city.
Extras by Scott Westerfeld.
Fifteen-year-old Aya Fuse, an Extra, just wants to lay low, so when she discovers the secret lives of the Sly Girls, she wants to report their story, but she knows that would propel her into a celebrity status she's not prepared for.
Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks.
Child prodigy Cadel Piggot, an antisocial computer hacker, discovers his true identity when he enrolls as a first-year student at an advanced crime academy.
Genesis Alpha by Rune Michaels.
Brothers Josh and Max have an unusually strong relationship since it was Josh’s harvested stem cells that were used to save his dying older brother’s life. But when Max is accused of murder, Josh considers his own role in Max’s path of life.
Glass by Ellen Hopkins.
Kristina is determined to defeat her addiction to crack in order to keep her newborn child, but when she is unable to manage her use of the drug and the pull becomes too strong, her greatest fears are quickly realized.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.
Voldermort is ruthless in his pursuit of the trio, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione have honed their magical skills in the past six years and are ready for battle.
Ironside: A Modern Faery’s Tale by Holly Black.
As the possessor of Roiben's true name, sixteen-year-old Kaye returns to Faeryland to try and complete a nearly-impossible quest that will release him from the spell of the faery queen who holds him in thrall.
Jango by William Nicholson.
Seeker, the Wildman, and Morning Star discover that the mysterious warrior sect they had been so desperate to join is not quite what it appears from the outside.
Jinx by Meg Cabot.
Jean "Jinx" Honeychurch, the descendant of a witch, must leave Iowa to live with relatives in Manhattan after the first spell she casts goes awry, but she will have to improve her skills to stop her cousin from practicing black magic which endangers the boy they both like.
The Luxe by Anna Godberson.
In Manhattan in 1899, five teens of different social classes lead dangerously scandalous lives, despite the strict rules of society and the best-laid plans of parents and others.
Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson.
The time has come for Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel to face their ultimate enemy and, despite many obstacles, try to save the world from a sinister plan to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race.
Penelope by Marilyn Kaye.
Penelope Wilhern has everything a girl could want: A wealthy, socialite family, an enchanted bedroom and some of the coolest clothes around. There is only one problem: She was born into a cursed family and has the face of a pig.
Saving Zoë by Alyson Noël.
Instead of a fresh start, high school provides more grief and isolation to Echo, whose older sister died a year earlier, but insights gained from Zoe's diary about her sister's life and death change Echo in ways she could have never expected.
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George.
A girl travels east of the sun and west of the moon to free her beloved prince from a magic spell.
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray.
At Spence Academy, Gemma Doyle continues preparing for her London debut while struggling to determine how best to use magic to resolve a power struggle in the enchanted world of the realms, and to protect her own world and loved ones.
Tamar by Mal Peet.
In England in 1995, Tamar, grief-stricken by the puzzling death of her beloved grandfather, begins to uncover the secrets of his life during the last year of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, and the climactic events that forever cast a shadow on his life and that of his family.
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson.
After finally getting noticed by someone other than school bullies and his ever-angry father, seventeen-year-old Tyler enjoys his tough new reputation and the attentions of a popular girl, but then life starts to go bad again . . .
Unwind by Neal Shusterman.
In a future world where those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can have their lives unwound" and their body parts harvested for use by others, three teens go to extreme lengths to uphold their beliefs and, perhaps, save their own lives.
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.
Two years after a horrible incident made them run away, vampire princess Lissa and her guardian-in-training Rose are found and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy, where both try to avoid the perils of gossip, cliques, pranks, and sinister plots.
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.
Seventeen-year-old Aislinn, who has the rare ability to see faeries, is drawn against her will into a centuries-old battle between the Summer King and Winter Queen, and the survival of her life, her love, and summer all hang in the balance.
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier.
Five sisters who live with their merchant father in Transylvania use a hidden portal in their home to cross over into a magical world, the Wildwood.
It's Teen Read Week! Vote now for the 2008 Teens' Top Ten! Voting takes place through midnight on Saturday, October 18,2008.
Before I Die by Jenny Downham.
Tessa, who has terminal cancer, creates a list of ten things she wants to do in the months she has left to live. This fierce and devastating novel explores end-of-life realities with honesty and grace.
Betrayed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast.
Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has accepted her powers and role as Leader of the Dark Daughters. But too soon the people Zoey cares about from her old life are in danger, and it looks like the House of Night is killing human teenagers.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.
Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-yearold Clary Fray is drawn into this bizarre world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.
Daemon Hall by Andrew Nance and Colin Polhemus, illus.
Famous horror story writer R. U. Tremblin comes to the town of Maplewood to hold a short story writing contest, offering the five finalists the chance to spend what turns out to be a terrifying--and deadly--night with him in a haunted house.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.
Greg records his sixth grade experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular, Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship.
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.
Bella must choose between her friendship with Jacob and her relationship with Edward, but when Seattle is ravaged by a string of killings, the three of them need to decide whether their personal lives are more important than the well-being of an entire city.
Extras by Scott Westerfeld.
Fifteen-year-old Aya Fuse, an Extra, just wants to lay low, so when she discovers the secret lives of the Sly Girls, she wants to report their story, but she knows that would propel her into a celebrity status she's not prepared for.
Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks.
Child prodigy Cadel Piggot, an antisocial computer hacker, discovers his true identity when he enrolls as a first-year student at an advanced crime academy.
Genesis Alpha by Rune Michaels.
Brothers Josh and Max have an unusually strong relationship since it was Josh’s harvested stem cells that were used to save his dying older brother’s life. But when Max is accused of murder, Josh considers his own role in Max’s path of life.
Glass by Ellen Hopkins.
Kristina is determined to defeat her addiction to crack in order to keep her newborn child, but when she is unable to manage her use of the drug and the pull becomes too strong, her greatest fears are quickly realized.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.
Voldermort is ruthless in his pursuit of the trio, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione have honed their magical skills in the past six years and are ready for battle.
Ironside: A Modern Faery’s Tale by Holly Black.
As the possessor of Roiben's true name, sixteen-year-old Kaye returns to Faeryland to try and complete a nearly-impossible quest that will release him from the spell of the faery queen who holds him in thrall.
Jango by William Nicholson.
Seeker, the Wildman, and Morning Star discover that the mysterious warrior sect they had been so desperate to join is not quite what it appears from the outside.
Jinx by Meg Cabot.
Jean "Jinx" Honeychurch, the descendant of a witch, must leave Iowa to live with relatives in Manhattan after the first spell she casts goes awry, but she will have to improve her skills to stop her cousin from practicing black magic which endangers the boy they both like.
The Luxe by Anna Godberson.
In Manhattan in 1899, five teens of different social classes lead dangerously scandalous lives, despite the strict rules of society and the best-laid plans of parents and others.
Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson.
The time has come for Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel to face their ultimate enemy and, despite many obstacles, try to save the world from a sinister plan to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race.
Penelope by Marilyn Kaye.
Penelope Wilhern has everything a girl could want: A wealthy, socialite family, an enchanted bedroom and some of the coolest clothes around. There is only one problem: She was born into a cursed family and has the face of a pig.
Saving Zoë by Alyson Noël.
Instead of a fresh start, high school provides more grief and isolation to Echo, whose older sister died a year earlier, but insights gained from Zoe's diary about her sister's life and death change Echo in ways she could have never expected.
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George.
A girl travels east of the sun and west of the moon to free her beloved prince from a magic spell.
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray.
At Spence Academy, Gemma Doyle continues preparing for her London debut while struggling to determine how best to use magic to resolve a power struggle in the enchanted world of the realms, and to protect her own world and loved ones.
Tamar by Mal Peet.
In England in 1995, Tamar, grief-stricken by the puzzling death of her beloved grandfather, begins to uncover the secrets of his life during the last year of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, and the climactic events that forever cast a shadow on his life and that of his family.
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson.
After finally getting noticed by someone other than school bullies and his ever-angry father, seventeen-year-old Tyler enjoys his tough new reputation and the attentions of a popular girl, but then life starts to go bad again . . .
Unwind by Neal Shusterman.
In a future world where those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can have their lives unwound" and their body parts harvested for use by others, three teens go to extreme lengths to uphold their beliefs and, perhaps, save their own lives.
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.
Two years after a horrible incident made them run away, vampire princess Lissa and her guardian-in-training Rose are found and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy, where both try to avoid the perils of gossip, cliques, pranks, and sinister plots.
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.
Seventeen-year-old Aislinn, who has the rare ability to see faeries, is drawn against her will into a centuries-old battle between the Summer King and Winter Queen, and the survival of her life, her love, and summer all hang in the balance.
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier.
Five sisters who live with their merchant father in Transylvania use a hidden portal in their home to cross over into a magical world, the Wildwood.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
What is this blog?
This is a blog for Racine area teens to give reviews about books and movies to their fellow teens. Find out what others are reading.
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