The ninth grade has barely begun when Mino and his best friend Alana decide to launch a fanzine, an independent publication where they can share their interests, ideas, and discoveries with the residents of Pouso Forçado, a small Brazilian town shaped by its strong Italian heritage. What starts as a creative project soon takes an unexpected turn when Mino becomes the target of bullying at school. Desperate to divert attention from himself, he publishes a fake news story about a notorious criminal supposedly heading toward town. The rumor spreads rapidly, unleashing fear, confusion, and consequences far greater than he ever imagined.

Written by Breno Fernandes, a journalist and one of FTD Educação’s most promising voices in young adult fiction, The Fanziners combines humor, friendship, mystery, and social commentary in a highly engaging narrative. Alongside themes such as adolescence, first love, family expectations, and belonging, the novel offers a timely exploration of misinformation and its impact on communities, showing how easily false news can shape people’s perceptions and behavior.

One of the book’s most distinctive features is its innovative narrative structure. The story alternates between the main prose narrative and editions of the fanzine itself, which evolve visually throughout the novel as the characters gain experience. Interviews, letters, poems, notes, posters, and other textual forms are seamlessly integrated into the design, creating a dynamic reading experience that mirrors the creative energy of independent publishing. Blending journalism, adventure, humor, and contemporary issues, The Fanziners is a lively coming-of-age novel that celebrates youth initiative, friendship, and the power, and responsibility, of storytelling.