Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Doctorow, C. (2008). Little brother. New York, New York: Tor Teen.

Summary:

Marcus, also known by the handle “W1N5T0N” and later “M1K3Y,” is involved in an alternate reality game which requires teams to use GPS on a global scavenger hunt to find clues. Caught in the wrong place, at the wrong time, Marcus and his teammates are arrested by the Department of Homeland Security for suspicious activity due to his proximity to a terrorist attack against San Fransisco’s Bay Bridge and his hacking abilities online. Marcus is considered an enemy agent, and interrogated and humiliated for crimes he did not commit. Following his release, Marcus is subjected to tighter security measures and loss of freedoms. Taking matters into his own hands with technology as his medium, Marcus wages a war against the federal government’s Department of Homeland Security and its oppressive measures.

Advisory Information

Themes

a. Freedom vs. Security: This book questions why people are willing to give up their own freedoms (and to what extent) for the illusion of security.

b. This book also looks at what it means to be an American versus those who are considered terrorists. In his High School class, Marcus looks at Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and especially reflects on the statement: “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

c. Truth is also an important theme throughout the novel. What is truth and what is to be believed as truth are two completely different ideas. While the internet allows Marcus to pass on truth to others, it can also be skewed. Also, truth is an issue for the supposed accuracy of terrorist security measures. If they do not work, why is the federal government claiming they do?

d. Capture, treatment and torture of (suspected) terrorists: Marcus, a minor, is isolated, forced to wet himself, and waterlogged for his suspected terrorist activities all while under the Department of Homeland Security interrogations.

Age Recommendation

I feel that this book would best be suited for older teens in high school. While the writing is not too difficult, and the author does explain much of the technical details about the technology Marcus, there is abstract reasoning and more mature content that would appeal to older young adults.

Other Information:

This novel does contain sex and violence.

Little Brother won the 2009 White Pine Award, the 2009 Prometheus Award, and the 2009John W. Campbell Memorial Award.

Little Brother was also a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novel


Reaction:

Little Brother seems highly accurate in light of the September 11th attacks and other terrorist attacks following 2001. In today’s highly technological savvy world, Doctorow stresses the need for the truth and accuracy in information regarding government activities and countermeasures. While some events may seem somewhat fantastical, I believe that Doctorow is portraying a probable reality if such events did occur. Furthermore, his call to action to today’s teens at voting booths and in understanding their power, while somewhat heavy-handed, is admirable.