I Am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff

Reviewed by Lori

I Am the Weapon

Title: I Am the Weapon   (Alternative Title: Boy Nobody)

Series: Unknown Assassin Vol. 1

Author: Allen Zadoff

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 85099

Description: Sixteen-year-old Boy Nobody, an assassin controlled by a shadowy government organization, The Program, considers sabotaging his latest mission because his target reminds him of the normal life he craves.

Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It

Why I Read It: Recommended by several teachers and I had read Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have which is also by this author

Notes: It's been quite a while since a book has grabbed me to the point that I couldn't put it down and this happens to be one of those books.    Nobody knows who he really is, he gains the trust of his mark and acquires his target.  In and out with no ties and no connections.   It wasn't the life he expected, but it is the one he has been trained for, the one he was offered after the death of his father, by someone just like him.   He's had years of training, completed his assignments effectively.  A trained assassin he follows orders with efficiency but his new assignment has him questioning those orders.  But what choice does he have?   I particularly like this novel for the short chapters and the pace at which the plot flows.   Boy Nobody has just 5 days to complete his assignment, and while he could have carried out and executed his orders within the first couple of days it is when "The Program" adjusts his orders to change his mark to his target that he really begins to question authority.  This book inspires a lot of critical thinking.  To look not just at what orders are being given, but why, and the impact of these choices and decisions.  Is it ever ok to do wrong for the sake of right?  And the impacts our choices have on those of others both locally and even globally.   In a sense this book takes global politics and sets them on a high school stage touching on issues like terrorism and the recruitment of children for war and espionage.   Well written and engaging I will definitely be reading more in this series.

Recommended Readers: Grade 9 and Up  (Contains some sexual references)

Themes: Choice, Families, Assassinations, Conspiracies,  Anti-heroes, Terrorism, Friendship, Loyalty

Cross-Genre Links: 
Books with Characters named Nobody: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, The Odyssey by Homer
Music: Nobody Knows by The Lumineers
Websearch: Children in War/ Child Spies

Inquiries and Activities: 

  • What sort of choices does Boy Nobody have if any?
  • Why does he question his latest assignment?  
  • In order to justify their actions, oftentimes people will use the excuse "I was just following orders" implying they had no choice.   Do you think they had a choice?  Why or Why Not?  Should people be held accountable for things they have done under direct order of a superior?
  • Nobody discusses with the Mayor of New York doing wrong for the right reasons.   Can you think of instances where this might apply?
  • How does Nobody assess the situations he is in?   How does he gain the trust of his mark?   
  • Were you surprised by any of the characters?  
  • Would you consider Boy Nobody to be a Hero, Anti-Hero, or Villain?  Explain why. 






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