Little Brother

Title Little Brother
Author Cory Doctorow
Doctorow is a writer and blogs on Boing Boing and Craphound. He is an adamant supporter of opensource and releases most of his books under a Creative Commons License that allows it to be downloaded and distributed electronically.
ISBN 9780765319852
Publisher Tor (Tom Doherty Associates)
Copyright Date 2008
Reading Level/Interest Age 13+
Genre Adventure; Science Fiction/Fantasy
Plot Summary
Marcus is seventeen years old and living in San Francisco. As a computer-savvy hacker, he regularly spends his time programming and playing alternate reality games that require him to skip school and run around the city. On one day in particular, as he's tracking down some clues with his friends and teammates, terrorists attack the Bay Bridge. In the panic that follows, Marcus and his friends are swept up by the Department of Homeland Security, taken by boat to a prison and tortured. When he is finally released, he realizes that one of his friends did not come back and resolves that he will do what he can to work against the DHS. By using his hacking skills and ability to construct hardware, Marcus starts an underground resistance to fight against the government's increasing encroachment on individual rights.
Critical Evaluation
Doctorow's novel Little Brother is a frightening near-future portrayal of what could happen if there were another terrorist attack on American soil. The details are very vivid and Doctorow has a wonderful ability of description that makes one feel as if they were right there amidst the action, with the tastes, smells and sounds of San Francisco. Some of the issues that Doctorow tackles (First Ammendment rights, Patriot Act laws, terrorism and torture) might be slightly heady for some teen readers, and the description of technology might also go over many teen's heads. Overall, though, Doctorow does a great job of depicting what the world could look like after a terrorist attack akin to that on the World Trade Center. Winston's character is very likeable and though he is leading a revolution, he is accessible as he deals with some of the issues that all teens face: parents, school and girls. A great read for young adult fans of dystopic fiction like 1984 and Brave New World and teens that are interested in hacking and technology.
Reader’s Annotation
You've heard of big brother, but this is Little Brother. After terrorists blow up the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, the government starts to take some drastic measures against U.S. citizens, what can a seventeen year old hacker and his friends do? You might be surprised!
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into a discussion about First Ammendment rights and the Patriot Act, particularly about the war on terror and torture in light of recent events and discoveries.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Do character sketches of Marcus and his friends, asking the audience if they think they sound like terrorist. Hook them with the line, "The government thinks so."
2. Do a plot summary, beginning with the attack on the Bay Bridge and some of the steps that the government starts to take. Ask the audience what they might do in response.
Challenge Issues
None
Why did I include this book?
Best Books for Young Adults (ALA, 2009); Best Books of the Year (Publisher's Weekly, 2008); Best Books (School Library Journal, 2008); class requirement.