English 425 Submitter’s name __Whitney Price_____
Book Bank Book Bank subject: classic

Reference information:
Title Scorpions
Author Walter D. Myers
Publisher HarperTrophy Year 1988
# of pages 216 Genre Fiction
Reading level Interest level 14-16 year old boys
Potential hot lava:
Gangs, drugs, violence, language

General response/reaction:
I personally did not really like it. The way they talked kind of reminded me of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I do think that boys would like it over girls. It was a quick read and I think reluctant readers would like it. It does keep your attention but I feel that a female reluctant reader would not like it.

Subjects, Themes, and Big Ideas:
Family, Gangs, Growing Up, Friendship, Trust, Making the right decision (right and wrong)

Characters:
Jamal is the main character. He is a 12 year old boy living in New York who becomes the leader of his brother’s gang, the Scorpions. Tito is Jamal’s best friend and his right hand man. Sassy is Jamal’s little sister and her name pretty much sums up her attitude. Randy is Jamal’s older brother who is currently in jail. Mack is a non-trustworthy character and is the one who gets Jamal to lead the gang. Indian does not want Jamal to run the gang, thus starts to create lots of probems for Jamal.

Plot summary:
Jamal’s brother is in prison and wants him to lead the Scorpions. Jamal is given a gun. He soon realizes its not for him, but we all know its harder to leave a gang then to get into one. He trys to leave, gets beat up, Tito shoots the two gang members, one who is Indian, then turns himself in and the police force him to go live with his Dad.

Strengths (including reviews and awards):
• Newbery Honor Book
• Notable Children’s Book (ALA)
• Best book for Young Adults (ALA)
• Recommended Book for reluccant Young Adult Readers (ALA)

Drawbacks or other cautions:
It is very gang orientated and I could see parents having problems with this book. The language could get bad and there was gun violence. In the beginning they were at a crack house and some parents might have problems with the mentioning of drugs.

Teaching ideas:
• A teacher could have someone come in and talk to their class about gang violence
• The students could write a different ending for the book
• They could write a journal response to how they would of delt with the situation
• The teacher could get a police officer come in and talk to the class about drugs and gangs
• The teacher could have her students create their own gangs, but their gangs would be for good purposes, such as cleaning up the roadside.