Cory Doctorow is the author of four novels and two short story collections. His story in The Starry Rift is “Anda’s Game”, which originally appeared on salon.com.

1. When did you start reading science fiction? How old were you, and can you remember the first book or story that really excited you as a reader?

My father had sf books and comics around the house from the time I was born and the first book I read on my own was Alice in Wonderland, which, I think, qualifies. Made the top of my head flip open and my brain do a victory dance.

2. What do you think science fiction has something to offer young readers today?

Science fiction is the didactic literature that explains how the world works — how the social and technological mesh and what that means for the person on the street. Childhood is a continuous process of figuring this stuff out, so sf is the right story.

3. Tell us about your story for The Starry Rift.

“Anda’s Game” is a story about realizing that we all inhabit the same world and the same Internet, even if some of us — people from the rich developed world — are thousands of times richer than others. Anda is a young British girl who joins a girl-power gaming clan and finds herself involved in missions to knock over in-game sweatshops where little girls from Latinamerica toil to make virtual goods that are sold to rich players like her. The ensuing moral struggle makes Anda confront her place in the world and who she sees as allies.

4. Did you find there was a real difference between writing for younger readers, or was your approach basically the same as when you’re writing for any other audience?

Not really — there are a few little vocabulary issues, but for the most part, writing for kids is like writing for adults, only more so, since kids tend to be sharper, more careful readers who pay close attention and aren’t afraid to send you an email when you get it wrong.

5. What are you writing now? Is there something you’d recommend to readers who enjoyed your story in The Starry Rift?

My new novel is LITTLE BROTHER, my first book for young readers. It’s the story of hacker kids in San Francisco who get caught in the terrorism dragnet and have to declare war on the Department of Homeland Security to win back the US Bill of Rights. You can buy it in stores everywhere and you can download it free at http://craphound.com/littlebrother.