The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth

Robbins is a journalist at The New York Times and the bestselling author of Pledged and The Overachievers. Her writing has been featured in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post. She has built her career on giving voice to the teenage experience.

Danielle from Illinois struggles to find connection with her fellow students, which hinders her progress at school. She is bullied for her independent taste, even by Tabitha, who is supposedly her closest friend. Through Robbins’ challenge, Danielle begins to forge new social connections and make genuine friends with whom she truly connects, including two less-abled sisters, Emily and Viv. She gains confidence and subsequently a job, which helps pay for her college. She also excels in snowboarding.

Mark Laurent (known as “Blue”) from Hawaii struggles with his identity at school. He socializes with a group of gamers but is bullied. His effort to organize a fundraising gaming party is thwarted, and he is derided by fellow students, including his friends. Blue’s grades have dropped, and his mother refuses to pay for college, threatening him with military service. Blue feels isolated, and his motivation dips further when his application is rejected by the University of Hawaii.