About This Book
This historical novel, the second in 'The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing' series, plunges readers into the heart of the American Revolution. Octavian, a young man of African descent, navigates a complex world where he is both a subject of scientific experiment and a person yearning for liberty. After escaping a death sentence, he joins Lord Dunmore's Royal Ethiopian Regiment, fighting for the British in exchange for freedom. The book explores profound themes of slavery, identity, justice, and the brutal realities of war, offering a nuanced look at a pivotal moment in history. It is a challenging, thought-provoking read, best suited for older elementary and middle school readers, despite the broad age range provided.
After escaping a death sentence in the summer of 1775, Octavian and his tutor find shelter but no safe harbor in British-occupied Boston and, persuaded by Lord Dunmore's proclamation offering freedom to slaves who join his counterrevolutionary Royal Ethiopian Regiment, Octavian and his friends soon find themselves engaged in naval raids on the Virginia coastline as the Revolutionary War breaks out in full force.
Concepts
Discussion Prompts
1
What does freedom mean to Octavian at different points in the story?
2
How does Octavian's unique upbringing at the Novanglian College of Lucidity shape his understanding of the world and his place in it?
3
Discuss the complex loyalties and choices characters face during the Revolutionary War, especially for those seeking freedom from slavery.
4
How does the book portray the 'scientists' at the Novanglian College, and what does this tell us about the ethics of their experiments?
5
What role does friendship play in Octavian's journey, particularly his relationship with Bono?
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