Little Brother

Title Little Brother

Author Cory Doctorow

ISBN 0765319853

Publication Information Tor Teen

 

Plot Summary Marcus, a self-proclaimed hacker at the age of 17, ditches school with his friends on the same day as a massive terrorist attack in San Francisco. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time lands him in a secret prison under the Patriot Act under interrogation with the Department of Homeland Security. He is eventually released but threatened and warned to not talk about his experiences. Marcus gets angry and decides to get even. He and his friends all set out to disrupt Homeland Security's protocols for spying on citizens.

Critical Evaluation- This novel is a brilliant alternative to 1984 or Brave New World, which are both common assignments in high schools across the nation. The plot and setting are more realistic for teenagers, and it clearly presents the realities of The Patriot Act as they could apply in another attack on US soil. The characters are intriguing and incredibly real. It would be foolish for Marcus to have no concerns about taking on the federal government or no shame in revealing what happened to his parents or friends. The mix of emotions plays well with teenagers. Because of all of these elements, it is a wonderful dystopian novel for teens who are not yet up to the classics or as an extension of those classics. Furthermore, the novel is just a fun read from beginning to end. Doctorow's understanding and explanations of the technological aspects of the story are engaging but easily understandable, and they do not slow the story down in any way. The realistic nature of the resolution of the story may put some students off, but any other ending would come across as false. While I hope it never happens, this novel reads as a possible response to future attacks if the government does not keep itself in check. As a result, this text give students a lot to enjoy and discuss. Already, it's flying off my shelf.

Reader's Annotation- Marcus ditches school and ends up arrested as part of a terrorist plot to attack San Francisco, but he's innocent. How does anyone, especially a teenager, defeat the Department of Homeland Security?

Author Information- Doctorow has very strong opinions about intellectual copyright and much of his work is openly available for download from online sources. He is primarily a science fiction writer.

Curricular Ties- Social Studies, Constitution, English

Genre- Realistic, dystopian

Book talking ideas- Is it right for Marcus to create havoc in innocent people's lives in order to disrupt Homeland Security? What role does safety play in our lives?

Challenge issues- challenging authority, illegal activity

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 14-18

Why I selected this piece- I didn't. It was assigned by the class.