Pox Party (Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing : Traitor to the Nation, bk 1) by M.T. Anderson, 2006
Rating : Loved
National Book Award winner
Historical Fiction (Boston, Revolutionary War)
Discrimination : Slavery
Science
Octavian is being raised in a home with his mom and several men, none of whom claim to be his father. He is taught Latin, Greek, music, science, and all subjects taught to the most privileged of the day. He is always expected to be an Observer and often asked to use his reasoning to make logical arguments. When he finally decides to trespass into the one room forbidden him, he begins his journey of becoming fully aware of his status in this house of philosophy and science.

Most of the story is told by Octavian in diary format with very period-type syntax and vocabulary. Thrown in are some articles, manuscripts, letters, and other artifacts written by various people that relate to Octavian’s story. A significant portion of the last quarter of the book is composed of letters written by Private Evidence Goring, who considered Octavian his friend. This story is totally captivating, from the first observations of the innocence of childhood in general, through Octavian’s slow realization that he’s a scientific experiment and a slave, to the final brutality against him by Mr. Gitney.




Afghan Dreams : Young Voices of Afghanistan (305.235) by Tony O’Brien and Mike Sullivan, 2008.
Rating : Liked
Geography (Afghanistan)
Careers (photojournalism)
Biography (Afghan teens)
Though recorded in a country that has had countless invasions, the interviews in this book reflect the hope these teens feel for the future. From street workers to female students in newly formed academies, from children who work in family businesses to pickpockets who steal from visiting photographers, these are the faces of young Afghans who universally wish for peace in their neighborhoods, in their country, in their lifetimes.

The interviews are simple, short comments about how these teens spend their days and what they hope for the future. Easily read within one sitting, the collection leaves one with a glimpse into a country that has known much of war, hardship, and poverty. No one story makes a big impression, but the stories together reach out from one part of our world in the common voice of humanity.