[FOOT] Little Brother Post

Just finishing the first half of our reading on Little Brother, I'm impressed by the novels ability to convey a serious message, but turn it into a relatable YA choice through its characterization and all of its descriptions. Its language is never daunting, but its not a children's book, which creates a happy medium where high school students have the opportunity to expand their vocabulary without feeling overwhelmed by the material (i.e. Shakespeare, William Blake, James Joyce, Faulkner, etc. etc.). It's Orwellian relation could make a great segue and comparison novel. I have found that as a technologically inclined person, I may be more drawn to the novel. Some of the language choices when referring to the technology may confuse the less informed, which can make the novel a bit of a niche category for computer loving teen boys.

What I think is most important about this book is the way it looks at your rights and how you should stand up for them. While it's a fun plot and you can feel wrapped in the characters the way a good book should, stepping back and looking at the book's overall themes and the way they are presented makes for a great discussion topic. It can pair literature with the real world and real problems going on, especially seeing how quickly technology is taking over our lives. Here is a comic that I think could stir good discussion as well, depending on the grade level, as they would have to know who both Huxley and Orwell are.

Orwell v. Huxley comic.