Title: Little Brother
Author: Cory Doctorow
Publish Date: April 2008
Publisher: Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
Pages: 384pp
ISBN: 0765319853
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fan Fiction/Realistic
Age Range: 13 and up
Price: $17.95
Amazon: $9.99
Annotation: Little Brother is George Orwell's 1984 set in the 21st century. Marcus Yallow is seventeen years old and will not let the Department of Homeland Security take his freedom away, not without a fight.
Summary: Marcus Yallow aka techno-geek “w1n5t0n/ M1k3y" is a seventeen-year-old computer genius that manipulates technology to meet his needs. His friends, Vanessa, Darryl and Jolu engage in Harajuku Fun Madness and hacking the Xbox. All is good until they become victims in a terrorist bombing of the San Francisco Bay Bridge. After spending time incarcerated in a secret prison after the attack, Marcus finds him in a government run society where the Department of Homeland Security watches your every move, interrogating questionable actions, and making it close to impossible to live a normal life. This drives Marcus crazy and ignites the rebellion and freedom fighting in which causes him to lose people who are close to him. Cory Doctorow has been noted stating George Orwell’s 1984 as inspiration, labeling Little Brother Fan Fiction.
Evaluation: One of my favorite young adult books. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE! Meaning both young adult and adult as it deals with some crucial subject matters. From Harajuku Fun Madness to standing up to the man and fighting for freedom. Cory Doctorow is brilliant in his tech-geek fiction that is frighteningly close to reality. Reader's will enjoy the techno-revolution, rebellion, and all out civil rights fighting that Markus attempts to stage. This book really made me think deeply about civil rights. I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness:
- Free speech is not a crime.
- First love.
- You can’t always depend on your friends, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t your friends.
- Being under a microscope just because of your age.
- Freedom is an American right, and something you have to take for yourself.
Reason this book was chosen: As a fan of George Orwell's 1984, I was instantly attracted to this book. The whole, “big brother is watching,” philosophy intrigues me, as well as frightens me. I also love to ‘see’ youth stand up for their rights.
Similar Titles:
Cory Doctorow's Craphound -You can download Little Brother for FREE!
Boing Boing -Cory Doctorow's awesome blog.
Awards:
ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2009
Booklist Editor’s Choice, 2008
School Library Journal Best Books for Children, 2008
Check out this book trailer made by Courtney Lerner. It ROCKS!
