Octavian Nothing

Anderson, M.T.. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume One: The Pox Party. Cambridge: Candlewick, 2008. Print.


Octavian Nothing tells the story of a young African-American boy raised by a group of men, the College, in colonial Boston. As he grows older, Octavian begins to realize that he and his mother are actually subjects of scientific study about race and intellectual capacity. Support for the College's pursuits begins to dwindle as political unrest in the colonies heightens, and Octavian becomes aware of life outside his home and the hardships of slavery. This is the first volume of two, and Octavian's fate remains uncertain.

The book is written in eighteenth century prose, switching between Octavian's voice and various letters and articles. It is complex, historical, and difficult to understand at first. Octavian's story, emotions, and struggles make for a compelling narrative, but the density of information and classical language would probably be challenging for most teens. After reading a few chapters and becoming accustomed to the style, however, the novel is very rewarding. This could be a good book for an entire class to analyze and read together, perhaps in conjunction with a unit in colonial history.