The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing

Author:M.T Anderson

ISBN:978-0763636791

Publication Information: Candlewick

Plot Summary: Octavian and his mother Cassiopeia are two black slaves that are being raised and educated as an elaborate experiment by the Novanglian College of Lucidity in Boston during the eve of the revolutionary war. After Cassiopeia spurns on of the college's benefactors, their lives begin to change. Richard Sharpe, who despises that Octavian and his mother are treated as people rather than property, comes to keep a close watch over the "experiment", taking Octavian away from his studies and turning him into a valet. As rumblings about the impending revolution grows louder, Octavian and his mother are taken to a pox party in the country. Unfortunately, Cassiopeia ends up dying from her pox immunization, and Octavian eventually escapes his household to join the Colonial army. Will Octavian's owners find him, or will he be able to flee, and eventually, become free?

Critical Evaluation: M.T. Anderson constantly creates compelling characters, and Octavian is no exception. A heavy hitting, delightful historical novel with an interesting point of view that should engross both teens and their American history teachers. It is heartbreaking to watch Octavian continually try to please his household, and equally sad when he realizes that he is just an experiment in the college, not a valued peer or person, at least to most of the members of the college. Sharpe is both realistic (or at least, what one would expect from a White slave owning male in the 1700's) and despicable, and his power of all encompassing within the college. Sharpe provides a perfect foil for the prodigal child Octavian. Highly recommended to students interested in slavery and the revolutionary war.

Reader's Annotation: Octavian is a slave, experiment, personal valet, soldier, and miraculous violin player. But he a prodigy, but he does not have his freedom. This is his story.

Author Information: M.T. Anderson was born and spent most of his childhood in Massachusetts. He also spent several years in Italy, and spent a year studying abroad at a boarding school in England. He received an undergraduate degree at Cambridge University and a MFA in writing at Syracuse University. As an author, Anderson has published a wide spectrum of books, from picture books for small children to novels for adults. He has published several YA titles, his most recent effort, the two part series about Octavian Nothing, has garnered lavish praise, and the first book in the series won the National Book Award. In his spare time, Anderson loves to ski and travel.

Curricular Ties: American History

Genre:Historical Fiction

Book talking ideas:

• Was Octavian's mother foolish to not accept the Lord's offer to be his mistress? Why or why not?
• Do you think pox parties are a smart idea? Why or why not?
• Discuss Octavian's relationship with Dr. Trefusis. How was it different than his relationships with other members of the college?
  

Challenge issues: n/a

Interest Age:Grades 8 and up

Why I selected this piece: I loved Thirsty and had heard great things about Octavian Nothing, so I thought this was a perfect opportunity to read the book.

thirsty

Author: M.T. Anderson

ISBN:978-0763638955

Publication Information: Candlewick

Plot Summary: Chris is at a crossroad in life. His family is constantly arguing, his childhood friends are beginning to disband... and Chris is turning into a vampire. Chris lives in Bradley, Massachusetts, where executing vampires is a way of life. Chris doesn't know what to do, if he tells anyone, they might turn him in and kill him. But he also isn't ready to embrace his vamprism and begin to kill people. He is sure where to turn until celestial being Chet turns up and offers him a deal he can't refuse; help Chet destroy the great vampire lord Tch'muchger and Chet will cure Chris and turn him into a regular human. Although dangerous, it seems like an amazing opportunity, until someone or something starts to follow Chris to warn him of Chet's ulterior motives. Who is lying and who is telling the truth? Is there anyone that Chris can trust?

Critical Evaluation: With the abundance of Twilight fans, it is no wonder that M.T. Anderson's thirsty has become a popular book among the teen set. But aside from sharing the common theme of vampires, thirsty couldn't be different from Stephanie Meyer's series. There is very little romance in the book, and the story isn't tied up into an easy happily ever after scenario. In general, thirsty is a much darker take on the subject of the supernatural, and draws upon the historical horrors of the Salem Witch Trials to draw upon how heartless a community can be when caught up in a mob mentality. Anderson creates a pitch perfect tension for Chris, who alternates between being terrified that his blood lust will get the best of him, and terrified that his family or friends will find out and turn him into the authorities for imprisonment and death. Despite the hopeless situation that Chris is in, Chet is used well as a plot device to provide hope to Chris, however dubious. This book is a great recommendation for all teens, because it strikes a fine balance to being deep without being dense, and dramatic without devolving into melodrama. Highly recommended.

Reader's Annotation: Chris is thirsty, really thirsty. Things are getting really weird and Chris is worried that his worst case scenario is happening. Chris thinks he is turning into a vampire.

Author Information: M.T. Anderson was born and spent most of his childhood in Massachusetts. He also spent several years in Italy, and spent a year studying abroad at a boarding school in England. He received an undergraduate degree at Cambridge University and a MFA in writing at Syracuse University. As an author, Anderson has published a wide spectrum of books, from picture books for small children to novels for adults. He has published several YA titles, his most recent effort, the two part series about Octavian Nothing, has garnered lavish praise, and the first book in the series won the National Book Award. In his spare time, Anderson loves to ski and travel.

Curricular Ties: American History (tie into the Salem Witch Trials)

Genre:Fantasy, Horror

Book talking ideas:

• Why were the citizens of Bradley so desensitized to killing vampires? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
• What do you think Chris should do, become a vampire or die?
• Why did Chet use Chris? Who does he really work for.
  

Challenge issues: Violence,mild sexuality

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.

Interest Age: Grades 9 and up

Why I selected this piece: M.T. Anderson is one of the YA heavy hitters. I had to read at least one of his books.