Little Brother

I should probably start off by saying that I have a strong belief that novels that center on a male protagonist can still be applicable to women and vice-versa. Growing up is a universal stage that does not discriminate gender, race or ethnicity. So, do not be surprised if, like with this first book selection, that the main protagonist is not always female.
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow centers around Marcus a seventeen year old with impeccable computer skills and knack for getting into trouble. Set in San Francisco, Marcus’s tale begins with an innocent attempt to skip class to play videogames with his friends and evolves into an complicated adventure of technology, terrorist attacks, torture, and individual triumph (with some teen angst on the side).

Spoiler Section Alert: On the day that Marcus and his friends decide to skip school to play Harajuku Fun Madness (a fictional, but apparently awesome clue-finding game), there is a terrorist attack on the San Francisco Bay Bridge. Marcus and his buddies become suspects in an investigation into the attacks. From that point on our hero is tortured for information and his computer and other forms of technology hacked due to some Patriot-Act style law. He becomes part of an underground revolt against the government complete with protests and secret concert. He memorizes some great quotes about the Bill of Rights and finds a little time for some romance. Most importantly, Marcus learns the importance of his friends and family and determines what he truly believes in.

Parent/Teacher Advisory: This novel contains a sex scene, some torture scenes and some suggestive language. It is also heavily slanted in leftist politics (It is a political story; it takes a side). Some of this material would not be appropriate for pre-teens or even early teenagers, but all aspects are toned down enough that they are good for a high school level.

Overall recommendation: Little Brother is a fast and exciting read. It is made for teens, but can be enjoyed even by older audiences. It is a fascinating mixture of current political and technological debates fuzzed with historical background and an individual’s discovery of their own belief system. Young women can have quite a stake in politics and it’s important for them to consider the issues that are debated in the book (The best part is, you don’t have to agree with Marcus; his story is just a spring board for discussion). This is a particularly exciting novel for the tech-savvy (which I am not, but don’t worry, our buddy Marcus explains things in great detail) and for those interested in current affairs and the role of government plays in everyday lives. Little Brother is a poignant and fun read; you can’t ask for much more.