Scorpions (novel)

Scorpions
The heat is on
Author Walter Dean Myers
Cover artist Andy Bacha
Country United States
Language English
Subject Harlem life, gangs
Genre realistic fiction
Publisher Amistad
Publication date
1988
Pages 216 pages
ISBN 978-0-06-447066-7
Preceded by Fallen Angels

Scorpions is a young adult novel written by Walter Dean Myers, first published in the United States by Harper & Row on June 20, 1988. It was a Newbery Medal honor book in 1989.[1]

Plot

The plot centers around Jamal trying to get his brother, Randy, out of jail. Randy is a 17-year-old who is the leader of the Scorpions, a local gang of drug dealers.

Jamal's family includes himself, Randy, his mother, his 8-year-old sister Sassy, and his father, Jevon Hicks. Jamal's father used to be an alcoholic after losing his job, and began abusing Jamal's mother until she moved away with her children. Now Jamal's father only comes to visit the family "once in a while".

The story starts out with Jamal and hisdy needs only $500 for his appeal. His mother is working to the bone in order to earn enough money to get an appeal for Randy. His mother soon finds out that his brother has been attacked and stabbed while in jail and is in medical care. Some members of the Scorpions want Jamal to join them until Randy is freed from jail. They believe this will help make a connection by having orders directly from Randy to Jamal back to the members; the other members feel through they should just vote on a new leader because they feel Randy is dead to them and that letting a 12-year-old joining a gang would not be beneficial. However, Jamal wants to earn money the right way by working, but Jamal is scared to go against the Scorpions. Eventually, Jamal breaks free from the bad influence and does the right thing.

Characters

References

  1. "Children's Book Awards For Writers & Illustrators". LexisNexis. Retrieved 28 January 2016. (subscription required)
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