The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Original ISBN 978-0-689-85222-0
Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002
380 pages
Plot Summary: Between the Unites States and Aztlán
is a small strip of land where opium poppies are grown. The land called Opium
is run by 146-year old drug lord Matteo Alacrán, also known as El Patrón. Matt
has lived in hiding in a cottage in the fields since his birth six years ago.
When he breaks free to follow some other children, they discover a tattoo on
his foot that brands him “Property of Alacrán Estates.” Matt, it appears, is a
clone of El Patrón to be used as “spare parts.” Clones usually have their minds
wiped once they are harvested, but for whatever reason, El Patrón saved Matt
from that horrendousness. When El Patrón becomes ill and the time has come to
“use” Matt’s organs, his caretaker confesses to have given Matt small doses of
arsenic rendering his body useless. El Patrón dies and his family, seeing no
use in keeping Matt alive, wants him killed. Matt’s body guard, Tam Lin, helps
the now teen escape, but Matt is soon captured at the Aztlán border and sent to
a labor camp with other “Lost Boys.” Matt then rallies the boys to escape the
labor camp. Original ISBN 978-0-689-85222-0
Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002
380 pages
Critical Evaluation: The
House of the Scorpion
is a story of survival and acceptance. Matt, the innocent protagonist, doesn’t
understand why he is mistreated and thought of as mere “property.” Matt, does
realize, however, that he is better off than the “eejits” – the workers whose
brains have been programmed to work until they are told to stop. One can’t help
but be reminded of the slavery movement in pre-Civil War America when reading
this book.
The novel
also addresses the issues of cloning, government corruption, and the drug
trade.
Reader’s Annotation: Matt was always told by his caretaker
that he was special. He has no idea just how “special” he is until he discovers
he is the clone for drug lord, El Patrón. When Matt finds out this secret, his
life changes forever.
Author Information: Nancy Farmer is an American author
born in 1941. From her biography, one can gather that she has always had a
passion involving herself in social issues. Immediately after graduating from
college, Farmer joined the Peace Corps where she spent two years in India. She
returned to the United States in 1965, but found herself growing restless and
soon left for Africa where she monitored water weeds in Mozambique and helped
control tsetse flies in Zimbabwe. She began writing at the age of 40 when she
found working in Africa too dangerous.
Farmer has
won three Newbery Honor Books awards (1995, 1997, and 2003), the 2002 National
Book Award for Young People’s Literature, and 2003 Printz Honor.
Her website
can be found at http://www.nancyfarmerwebsite.com/
Genre: Science Fiction; Coming-of-age
Curriculum Ties: This novel can be used to discuss
social and ethical issues such as slavery, cloning, and government corruption.
Booktalking Ideas: I would read a section of the book
when Matt discovers what is store for him after he is used to save El Patrón.
Reading Level / Interest Age: Grades 7-10
Lexile: 660
Challenge Issues: There may be people opposed to the
discussion of cloning and slavery.
Reason for Item’s Inclusion: I chose this book simply for all of
the medals on the cover. I’m glad I came across it; it was an interesting read.
Resources:
The House of
the Scorpion. (2012, October 22). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Scorpion
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