Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Doctorow, C. (2008). Little brother. New York: To Doherty Associates. ISBN: 0765319853

Plot Summary: Marcus Yallow, a senior at San Francisco High School, is called into the vice principal’s office and being accused of hacking the school computer system and stealing test information. Without any proof, he innocently returns to class and he convinces his best friend, Darryl, to ditch the rest of school. Along with their friends Van and Jolu, they find themselves in the streets seeking clues to their favorite Alternative Reality Game, Harajuku Fun Madness. Interrupted by an earthquake, the teens realize that the cause of the movement was due to the terrorist bombing of the Bay Bridge. Having been at the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his friends are taken away by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Once he was released and found out that one of the friends was missing, Marcus has become determined to find his friend and take down the DHS. Marcus’ world has become a place with extreme security devices since the attack. His city, including is family, now live in fear of potential terrorists. Marcus must use his hacking skills and guts to battle a giant, the DHS.

Critical Evaluation: The author does a fantastic job at developing Marcus’ character. After only the first couple chapters, we see that is more than just a typical teen. He is brilliant when it comes to computers, witty with adults and peers, and the daring students who does not fear ditching class. He is knowledgeable of technology, from getting around the Gait recognition system to his start of the underground Xnet using a simple game console, the Xbox. His ambition is what keeps the book suspenseful and exciting. There are times readers may feel frustrated with his illogical decisions to hold back information from the DHS, but he values his rights to privacy. Towards the end of the book, the idea of Marcus leaving San Francisco with Ange and his formal rival to escape his problems seemed a bit unrealistic considering the Department of Homeland Security is a national system. I thought it was a bit funny how in the end, he is only charged for stealing a cell phone.

Information about the Author: Cory Doctorow is a Canadian science-fiction author and blogger for various newspapers and magazines. He is co-editor of the weblog called Boing Boing. Other works of his include Overlocked: Stories of the Future Present and Futuristic Tales of the Here and Now. He recently became a father of a little girl names Poesy Emmeline Fibonacci Nautilus Taylor Doctorow.

Annotation: Marcus Yallow is a bold 17 year-old kid who knows the ins and outs of computer hacking and gaming. Soon after a deadly terrorist attack on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, Marcus and his friends are caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Genre: Adventure/Terrorism

Curriculum Ties: Technology and social sciences

Booktalking Ideas: Ask students how many of them have used online social networking to communicate. Marcus Yallow creates an underground social network to access the ability to not be watched by the DHS who believes he was responsible for the bombings on the Bay Bridge.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: Sexual content, rebelling against authority

Reason for Inclusion: Technology and authorities play a heavy role in the lives of teens. Readers will be able to relate to the characters and understand that flaws do exist in the system.