Author Max Brooks answers our questions about the first official children’s novel to take place in the Minecraft world, how he got Jack Black to narrate the audiobook (the answer surprised us!), and how audiobooks helped him overcome his struggle with dyslexia.
Two Versions Each With Amazing Celebrity Narrators
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Minecraft: The Island (Narrated by Samira Wiley)
- An Official Minecraft Novel
- De: Max Brooks
- Narrado por: Samira Wiley
- Duración: 6 h y 38 m
- Versión completa
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General4.5 out of 5 stars 167
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Narración:5 out of 5 stars 126
-
Historia4.5 out of 5 stars 127
The first official Minecraft novel! In the tradition of iconic adventures like Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island, the number one New York Times best-selling author of World War Z tells the story of a hero - stranded in the world of Minecraft - who must unravel the secrets of a mysterious island in order to survive.
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2 out of 5 stars
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The story was just frustrating on many levels
- De Joe en 07-29-17
Samira Wiley is best known for playing Poussey Washington in the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black and for playing Moira in the Hulu original series The Handmaid's Tale, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award.
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Minecraft: The Island (Narrated by Jack Black)
- An Official Minecraft Novel
- De: Max Brooks
- Narrado por: Jack Black
- Duración: 6 h y 17 m
- Versión completa
-
General5 out of 5 stars 3,392
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Narración:5 out of 5 stars 2,886
-
Historia4.5 out of 5 stars 2,879
The first official Minecraft novel! In the tradition of iconic adventures like Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island, the number one New York Times best-selling author of World War Z tells the story of a hero - stranded in the world of Minecraft - who must unravel the secrets of a mysterious island in order to survive.
-
5 out of 5 stars
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Max Brooks and Jack Black does it get any better..
- De Dave Norris en 07-22-17
Jack Black has starred in dozens of comic movies and TV shows, but kids will recognize him as the voice of Kung Fu Panda and for his portrayal of real-life author R. L. Stine in the movie Goosebumps, where he also provided the voices of Slappy the Dummy and The Invisible Boy.
Audible: It’s always an exciting day for young readers when one of their favorite brands inspires a new book. Why do you think Minecraft has captured the imagination of so many kids?
Max Brooks: Minecraft lets you be you. You have to solve problems (like food, shelter, safety) but you get to use your own creativity, find your own path. Isn't that how real life is?
A: What is it about Minecraft that made you want to delve into that world?
MB: Minecraft teaches you how to survive in the real world. It teaches preparation, planning, patience, and a whole list of other tips that can help anyone, not just kids, anyone, make it out in the non-block world. And it's fun! Who wants to be lectured to? Not me. Not anyone I know. Minecraft lets you learn without knowing that you're learning.
A: We’ve heard that you are a “Minecrafter” yourself. How much did you have to play in order to research this book?
MB: LOTS! My son and I have played together. I've played separately. Everything, EVERYTHING in the book has happened to me in the game at some point. I'd say 90% happened to me before I even sat down to write the book. The other 10% came from figuring out everything that actually happened in the book. Certain physics like shooting an arrow or the blast effects of TNT were worked out in the game once I started writing. I wanted to make sure that everything was 100% accurate.
A: You’ve written for Saturday Night Live, and have certainly left an indelible mark in the (very adult) zombie genre. This book targets kids aged 8-12. How did you tackle the challenge of writing for kids?
MB: I wrote for me. That's the only way I know how to write. I never think about what an audience would like. I don't know how. This Minecraft book was written for me, a guy who loves Minecraft, just like my zombie books were written for me, a guy who HATES zombies!
A: Did your son help you along the way?
MB: Oh Yes! My son, Henry, was the greatest help I could ask for. He's the reason I started writing this book. As we played together, I tried to point out the hidden life-tips in every step. I even went to his school's principal to try and convince him to do a Minecraft class. I didn't tell my son I was writing the book. I wanted it to be a surprise. As I write this answer, my son just came in the room—NO JOKE—to show me the elevator he built on Minecraft.
A: Please tell us zombies make an appearance here somewhere?!
MB: Are you kidding?! Of course! I remember the first time I saw one on Minecraft. I felt my stomach drop to my feet. I thought, "Oh no, I thought we were done with these guys." Trust me, there are PLENTY of zombies in this book!
A: Were you involved in the casting of Jack Black and Samira Wiley for Minecraft: the Island?
MB: Yes, I wrote personal letters to them both. When looking for a female narrator, my wife said, "How about that actress on Orange is The New Black that you love?" She was spot on. I'd totally forgotten how much I loved Samira on that show. Now as far as Jack goes ... well ... I've been a fan of his since high school. To be more specific, we went to high school together. We were in plays together; he was a genius even back then.
A: How do you think the two audio versions will impact how kids connect with the story?
MB: Good question. I'm hoping that no one feels left out. That's why we have two narrators, so each listener can picture themselves in their painted-on shoes. I hope that no matter who you are, how you identify yourself, you'll find a place in this story.
A: We’ve heard that listening to audiobooks helped you manage your dyslexia as a child. What coping mechanisms do you recommend to help kids overcome dyslexia and succeed in school?
MB: Every kid is an individual, and every individual learns differently. That was the problem with school when I was a kid. We had this standardized, Industrial Revolution era, assembly line learning. Anyone whose brain wasn't specifically wired for that kind of learning was left behind. I was left behind. I got lucky, though. My mother was a superhero. One of the MANY things she did to save my life was to take all my school books to the Brail Institute and have them read onto tapes as audiobooks. That made the difference. Hearing books allowed me to finish school and go to college. That would have never happened without my mom.
A: What book or books meant the most to you as a child and why?
MB: Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy. It wasn't for school, it was just for fun. I always listened to an audiobook before I'd go to sleep at night, probably an extension of my mother reading to me when I was little. In high school, my mom got me Red Storm Rising read by F. Murray Abraham. With music and sound effects and an academy award winning actor, RSR was a work of art. Over 20 years later, when I was casting the audiobook for World War Z, I wrote to Mister Abraham and asked him if he would make a childhood dream come true. He agreed to read one of the characters.
A: What are you and your son enjoying these days?
MB: Right now my son and I are watching, and re-watching the 1970s Miniseries "Roots". Yep, you heard me. His idea. Twelve years old and he's obsessed with "Roots". Every time he asks me a deeper question that's not covered in the show I tell him, "I guess you'll just have to read the book". He tells me he's going to get to it after he finishes the book he's just started reading now. It's called Minecraft: The Island.
A: And do you still listen as an adult? What are some of your favorites?
MB: In addition to writing fiction, I'm also a non-resident fellow at a military think tank at West Point. It's called The Modern War Institute and half my job involves deep, slogging research through mountains of books. Audible makes that possible. In the car, walking the dog, doing the dishes, even working in the garden, every available minute is spent listening. Today, about an hour ago, I just finished "Insurgency and Counterinsurgency" by Jeremy Black. Before that, it was The Swamp Fox by John Oller, and before that, Duty by Robert Gates. Next up, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence. That book is a monster. With Audible, it might take a month to listen to. With my dyslexia, it would have taken a year to read. Thanks, Audible.
Max Brooks: Minecraft lets you be you. You have to solve problems (like food, shelter, safety) but you get to use your own creativity, find your own path. Isn't that how real life is?
A: What is it about Minecraft that made you want to delve into that world?
MB: Minecraft teaches you how to survive in the real world. It teaches preparation, planning, patience, and a whole list of other tips that can help anyone, not just kids, anyone, make it out in the non-block world. And it's fun! Who wants to be lectured to? Not me. Not anyone I know. Minecraft lets you learn without knowing that you're learning.
A: We’ve heard that you are a “Minecrafter” yourself. How much did you have to play in order to research this book?
MB: LOTS! My son and I have played together. I've played separately. Everything, EVERYTHING in the book has happened to me in the game at some point. I'd say 90% happened to me before I even sat down to write the book. The other 10% came from figuring out everything that actually happened in the book. Certain physics like shooting an arrow or the blast effects of TNT were worked out in the game once I started writing. I wanted to make sure that everything was 100% accurate.
A: You’ve written for Saturday Night Live, and have certainly left an indelible mark in the (very adult) zombie genre. This book targets kids aged 8-12. How did you tackle the challenge of writing for kids?
MB: I wrote for me. That's the only way I know how to write. I never think about what an audience would like. I don't know how. This Minecraft book was written for me, a guy who loves Minecraft, just like my zombie books were written for me, a guy who HATES zombies!
A: Did your son help you along the way?
MB: Oh Yes! My son, Henry, was the greatest help I could ask for. He's the reason I started writing this book. As we played together, I tried to point out the hidden life-tips in every step. I even went to his school's principal to try and convince him to do a Minecraft class. I didn't tell my son I was writing the book. I wanted it to be a surprise. As I write this answer, my son just came in the room—NO JOKE—to show me the elevator he built on Minecraft.
A: Please tell us zombies make an appearance here somewhere?!
MB: Are you kidding?! Of course! I remember the first time I saw one on Minecraft. I felt my stomach drop to my feet. I thought, "Oh no, I thought we were done with these guys." Trust me, there are PLENTY of zombies in this book!
A: Were you involved in the casting of Jack Black and Samira Wiley for Minecraft: the Island?
MB: Yes, I wrote personal letters to them both. When looking for a female narrator, my wife said, "How about that actress on Orange is The New Black that you love?" She was spot on. I'd totally forgotten how much I loved Samira on that show. Now as far as Jack goes ... well ... I've been a fan of his since high school. To be more specific, we went to high school together. We were in plays together; he was a genius even back then.
A: How do you think the two audio versions will impact how kids connect with the story?
MB: Good question. I'm hoping that no one feels left out. That's why we have two narrators, so each listener can picture themselves in their painted-on shoes. I hope that no matter who you are, how you identify yourself, you'll find a place in this story.
A: We’ve heard that listening to audiobooks helped you manage your dyslexia as a child. What coping mechanisms do you recommend to help kids overcome dyslexia and succeed in school?
MB: Every kid is an individual, and every individual learns differently. That was the problem with school when I was a kid. We had this standardized, Industrial Revolution era, assembly line learning. Anyone whose brain wasn't specifically wired for that kind of learning was left behind. I was left behind. I got lucky, though. My mother was a superhero. One of the MANY things she did to save my life was to take all my school books to the Brail Institute and have them read onto tapes as audiobooks. That made the difference. Hearing books allowed me to finish school and go to college. That would have never happened without my mom.
A: What book or books meant the most to you as a child and why?
MB: Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy. It wasn't for school, it was just for fun. I always listened to an audiobook before I'd go to sleep at night, probably an extension of my mother reading to me when I was little. In high school, my mom got me Red Storm Rising read by F. Murray Abraham. With music and sound effects and an academy award winning actor, RSR was a work of art. Over 20 years later, when I was casting the audiobook for World War Z, I wrote to Mister Abraham and asked him if he would make a childhood dream come true. He agreed to read one of the characters.
A: What are you and your son enjoying these days?
MB: Right now my son and I are watching, and re-watching the 1970s Miniseries "Roots". Yep, you heard me. His idea. Twelve years old and he's obsessed with "Roots". Every time he asks me a deeper question that's not covered in the show I tell him, "I guess you'll just have to read the book". He tells me he's going to get to it after he finishes the book he's just started reading now. It's called Minecraft: The Island.
A: And do you still listen as an adult? What are some of your favorites?
MB: In addition to writing fiction, I'm also a non-resident fellow at a military think tank at West Point. It's called The Modern War Institute and half my job involves deep, slogging research through mountains of books. Audible makes that possible. In the car, walking the dog, doing the dishes, even working in the garden, every available minute is spent listening. Today, about an hour ago, I just finished "Insurgency and Counterinsurgency" by Jeremy Black. Before that, it was The Swamp Fox by John Oller, and before that, Duty by Robert Gates. Next up, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence. That book is a monster. With Audible, it might take a month to listen to. With my dyslexia, it would have taken a year to read. Thanks, Audible.
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