On The Books: Laura Hillenbrand rewrote 'Unbroken' as a YA book

Laura Hillenbrand has rewritten her best-seller Unbroken, the life story of Olympic runner Louie Zamperini, as a YA nonfiction book that will be published on Veterans Day (Nov. 11, 2014). The original Unbroken tells the tale of Zamperini’s Odysseian journey from a hard-scrabble kid in Southern California during the Depression to his meteoric rise as an Olympic runner in the 1936 Berlin Games. Later he signed up as a fighter pilot during World War II and flew planes in the South Pacific. His bomber crashed 850 miles off the coast of Hawaii and he spent 47 days stranded on a raft before being captured by the Japanese and brutally abused in a POW camp until the end up the war. But it’s not a downer! He perseveres and with the same buoyant spirit that carried him to the Olympics, he recovers from his wartime experiences and finds new life for himself.

I’m not sure why this needs a “YA” version. It sounds pretty appropriate for the 12+ ages of the “young adult” genre. Surely if you can be conscripted to read Lord of the Flies at 13, you can read this amazing real-life tale of the triumph of human spirit. Hillenbrand didn’t say specifically what she changed for the younger version, only that “Louie Zamperini’s story is spellbinding to people of every age. At the urging of librarians, teachers, and parents, I’ve created this edition specifically for younger readers. I’m delighted to bring Louie’s inspiring, exhilarating story to a new generation.” Since its original publication in November 2010, Unbroken has sold nearly 4 million copies and has remained on the bestseller list for over 160 weeks, with 14 weeks at #1. Angelina Jolie is directing a film adaptation (written by the Cohen brothers no less!) which is set for release on Christmas Day 2014.

I do work at a geek-loving entertainment magazine, but I find it hard to believe that Chris Beckett faces many science-fiction-haters — that just seems to ten years ago. Everyone is into fantasy and aliens and superheroes these days. Does anyone claim they blanket-hate sci-fi anymore?? [Atlantic]

Apply to be Cosmo‘s Bedroom Blogger by April 28th! Cosmo is taking submissions from aspiring romance writers who want to pen weekly installments of racy fiction for the website, as well as tweeting from the perspective of the main character. [Cosmo]

The guy behind the Sh*t Rough Drafts tumblr has a book deal. Crap. Everyone has a book deal. Bedroom Blogger is probably our best shot to becoming famous! But he gave an interview and explained how he got so famous. There was no step-by-step guide on how to achieve our own Sh*t Somebody Says/Sh*t Something book deal, so we’ll just have to come up with our own Sh*t ideas. [The Outlet]

Apparently in the wake of all this YA fervor for lovestruck vampires, hot-blooded werewolves and young girls with secret powers they previously knew nothing about until a hot boy walked by and looked longingly at them…boys are turning away from books! What?? How could they? Do they not relate to strong, silent types with chiseled abs who struggle with consummating their tortured relationship with girls? Weird. Sounds pretty universal to me. [Guardian]