16. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

ISBN: 97-0-7653-2311-8

Tor Teen, New York, 2008

365 p.

Plot Summary

Although only seventeen years old, Marcus and his friends are extremely technologically-savvy, allowing them to outwit the surveillance systems at school and build their own technological devices.  When skipping class to get ahead of other teams playing Harajuku Fun Madness, the teens find themselves in the midst of chaos as the Bay Bridge is hit by a terrorist attack.  Trying to get help for his friend, Darryl, who has been stabbed in a crowd, Marcus flags down a military vehicle.  However, the vehicle happens to belong to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, suspecting the teens of terrorism, they take them into custody at a secret prison.  After being interrogated for several days, Marcus is released only to find that his city has been transformed into a police state with the DHS tracking every citizen.  Warned that he will be watched, Marcus makes it his goal to expose the system for what it is, while avoiding the prying eyes of the DHS.

Critical Evaluation

It is unusual for me to read a book that delves into such as important topic as national security and the effectiveness of security systems at actually keeping us safe, but that is exactly what Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother does.  While it is an exciting novel detailing one teen’s goal to take down a system much more powerful than himself, it also raises questions about the world in which we live.  Especially after the terrorist attacks on September 11, the impact of security systems and procedures is relevant to Americans.  I felt some initial resistance toward Marcus going against the Department of Homeland Security—after all, they are there to keep us safe.  However, as Marcus reasoned out how ineffective the DHS had become as their net for catching suspects just grew larger and larger, it led me to think about the effectiveness of security measures in this world.  If a teenage hacker has the ability to take down the system, there is also the possibility that terrorists can just as easily take it down for their own means.  Rather than being accused of a terrorist act, Marcus’ efforts work to highlight the elements of the system that are lacking.  While the DHS dealt with the problems by adding more security measures and taking away the public’s rights, Marcus is still able to get through.  Therefore, the novel points out the importance of people like Marcus in testing security systems to strengthen them rather than adding even more ineffective strategies that only lead to more fear in the population.

Reader's Annotation

San Francisco has just experienced a terrorist attack on the Bay Bridge.  In the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his friends are taken into custody as the Department of Homeland Security takes over San Francisco.

Information About the Author

Cory Doctorow (craphound.com) is a science fiction author, activist, journalist and blogger -- the co-editor of Boing Boing (boingboing.net) and the author of Tor Teens/HarperCollins UK novels like For the Win and the bestselling Little Brother. His novels are published by Tor Books and HarperCollins UK and simultaneously released on the Internet under Creative Commons licenses that encourage their re-use and sharing, a move that increases his sales by enlisting his readers to help promote his work.

He co-founded the open source peer-to-peer software company OpenCola, sold to OpenText, Inc in 2003, and presently serves on the boards and advisory boards of the Participatory Culture Foundation, the MetaBrainz Foundation, Technorati, Inc, the Organization for Transformative Works, Areae, the Annenberg Center for the Study of Online Communities, and Onion Networks, Inc. Born in Toronto, Canada, he now lives in London. (information from the author’s website: http://craphound.com/?page_id=1638)

Genre

Young Adult – Cyberpunk

Curriculum Ties

English - Reading Comprehension and Literary Response and Analysis

This novel can also be used in a class discussing the Constitution

Booktalking Ideas

1. Discuss the effects of terrorism on daily life.

2. Focus on Marcus’ ability to outwit both the school security system and the Department of Homeland Security.

3. Talk about Marcus’ goal of bringing down the Department of Homeland Security through technology.

4. Address the importance of privacy in security.

Reading Level/Interest Age

15+

Challenge Issues

The novel has some challenge issues, such as sexual situations, drinking, profanity, and anti-government talk.

When confronted with complaints about this novel, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content.  Turn to reviews from publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as reviews from teens that have read it.  Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom.  As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection? 

Little Brother is on the required reading list for LIBR 265.