Scorpions

Author: Walter Myers
Award Won: Newbery Award
Date of publication:1988
Age recommendation: 12-15
Group represented: African American, New York

This is a book about a young boy named Jamal, he is living in Harlem New York with his mom and sister. His dad is not around much and his older brother Randy is in jail for shooting a store clerk during a stick-up with other gang members. His brother was part of a gang named the Scorpions and Randy sent word that Jamal was to take his place as the leader of the Scorpins gang dealing drugs. Jamal and his friend Tito are being pressured to join the gang, they don't want to, but know that if they do they can raise money for Randy's appeal trial. Randy has told his friends Mack that he needs $2000 for his appeal and his mother does not have that kind of money. She works different jobs to try and support her children After deciding to join the Scorpions, Jamal and Tito get a gun from Mack, which they think will help keep bullies away. The gun ends up getting them into a lot of trouble and one boy Angel ends up dying. Tito ends up having to leave the country and go to Puerto Rico to avoid his trial. Jamal and Tito learn how valuable they are to each other.



This book could be used in a classroom to discuss neighborhood gang violence.Students could also talk about how when one family member goes to jail it is hard on the whole family.