Little Brother

Title: Little Brother 
Author: Cory Doctorow
Published:
ISBN:
Price:
Other books in the series: Homeland
Genre: science fiction
Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel, Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel, Locus Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Book
Plot Summary: Marcus is a 17 year old hacker who is trying to stay off his principal's radar. One day while out skipping school with his friends his hometown of San Francisco is attacked by terrorist and he and his friends are mistakenly taken in by the department of homeland security, or DHS, as suspected terrorists. Despite their pleas that they are innocent the government keeps them detained in a secret prison and interrogates them for days. Marcus is separated from his friends and is treated like a terrorist. They demand that he give them information even thought Marcus continues to tell them that he did nothing. None of the teens are able to call their families, they are never read their rights or given a lawyer. The people holding them hostage tell Marcus that as a possible terrorist he has no rights, even if he is a US citizen and a minor. When Marcus is finally released he finds out the his friend Daryl who was taken prisoner with them wasn't released and is missing. DHS tells Marcus that he can tell no one of the ordeal and that he will be under careful surveillance  If he attempts to do anything suspicious the DHS will come back for him and chances are he won't be released. Marcus has also found that after the terrorist attack DHS has started to encroach on people's right to privacy, all in the name of security. Determined to get back at DHS, Marcus helps form an underground movement to bring down the DHS. But can a group of teenagers really bring down a government agency?
Critical Review: Cory Doctorow is very knowledgeable when it comes to technology. His knowledge is on display in this story. With a story dealing heavily in computer hacking terms and technology it could have easily become a story full of jargon and not reader friendly for the less tech savvy. But Doctorow is able to provide the necessary information without it dragging down the story and it never comes across like he is talking down to the reader. Instead the use of technology makes it feel modern and realistic. The story also plays on some very real life situations and issues in the United States. The story is creepily realistic, in the sense that as a reader you start to think that this sort of thing is very possible. These issues of government overreach, torture, privacy and security are all very real issues that are currently being debated in politics. For many teens who are soon to be of voting age this story might open their eyes to some more pressing political issues.
Reader's Annotation: After a terrorist attack on San Francisco Marcus and his friends are mistaken for terrorists. Now the DHS are watching his every more, but Marcus is determined to take them down.
Bibliotheraputic Usefulness: The story brings to light many political issues that teens may not be aware of or don't take much interest in. This books really shows how these issues can impact young people in a big way. There is also this idea that young people do have power and can make things happen by working together and not giving up. Marcus could have easily just given in to the DHS but he felt what they were doing was wrong and he stood up for it. This could help teens see their own potential to fight things that they feel are unjust.
Book Talk Ideas: Some of the themes that the book talk could cover would be protection of privacy vs safety, government overstepping it's reach and abusive government, terrorism, technology and how it is effecting privacy and safety.
Issues: The book shows government, especially Homeland Security, in a very negative and oppressive light. The teens engage in illegal activity like computer hacking of school and government websites. Some may think that Marcus's illegal activity is glorified or encouraged. The book also has teenage drinking and sex. Marcus is tortured in the book and he is even water boarded at one point in the story.
Author Website:
Professional Reviews:
Read Alikes:
Why include this book? In a post 9-11 world this book is very relevant to the issues that face the world. The book while science fiction could easily become reality and I believe it talks about some very important issues of freedom and privacy and the role of the government in keeping people safe.