The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Tratior to the Nation

Anderson, M. T., Read by Peter Francis James. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation. Listening Library: 2006. ISBN: 9780739338629.

Summary:
Octavian and his mother Cassiopeia live with Mr. Gitney of the Novanglian College of Lucidity in Boston, Massachusetts before the Revolutionary War. Octavian knows no other life and is educated in the classics and music. He is shocked to find out that he and his mother are slaves, the property of Mr. Gitney, not guests. The subject of scientific experiments, Octavian's life is measured and recorded in minute detail down to weighing his daily bowel movements. Cassiopeia is a beauty and also musically gifted, she is sought after by the college's benefactor, Lord Cheldthorpe. The relationship seems enjoyable to all which is good news to Mr. Gitney, he wants Lord Cheldthorpe to continue his generous financial support. When the time comes for Lord Cheldthorpe to return to England he wants to take Cassiopeia as his mistress. She refuses to go unless she is his wife. An English Lord cannot marry an African slave without committing social suicide, something Lord Cheldthorpe is not willing to do. This refusal causes the lord to withdraw his financial support and life changes greatly for everyone at the Novanglian College of Lucidity, especially Octavian and his mother.

Evaluation:
This book is a Printz Award and National Book Award winner. Told from the perspective of Octavian, much of the detail has to be read between the lines in the beginning. As Octavian grows, so does our knowledge of the circumstances. Set in pre-revolutionary Boston, the political turmoil is in the background, but ever present. Much time is spent explaining the purpose and experiments of the Novanglian College of Lucidity. As interesting as the book is, I wonder how many teens will stick with it and connect with the subject matter.

Reader's Annotation:
Freedom doesn't always have to do with being free.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Octavian and his mother are slaves and treated unfairly. They are not at liberty to come and go as they please. Teens may use this book to understand the institution of slavery better and the inter-workings of Colonial America.

Genre:
Historical Fiction

Why I Included This Book:
I wanted to have books from many different genres.