Scorpions. ISBN 978-0-06-447066-7. Walter Dean Myers. 1988. Newbery Honor.

Ages 12+. African-American, Puerto Rican.

Twelve-year-old Jamal is now the man of the house. His father only stops by for brief visits, and his older brother Randy is in prison. Jamal is torn between leading Randy’s street gang, the Scorpions, and doing “good things” with his best friend Tito. Jamal enjoys drawing, especially sketching the neighbor’s garden he can see through his sister Sassy’s window but struggles in school. Jamal’s life gets even more complicated when one of the Scorpions gives him a gun. Fighting with the school bully, trying to earn money for Randy’s appeal, and attempting to get out of the gang force Jamal to make life-altering choices.

Scorpions presents many classroom opportunities for discussion, writing, and analysis.

Classroom discussions could include:

- Jamal and Tito’s friendship

- The perceived futility of life in the neighborhood. Jamal feels, “It was part of the life they were living - police come get you” (p. 117)

Writing prompts and essay topics:

- The gun - How did the appearance of the gun in the story change Jamal and ultimately the outcome of the story?

- Randy - From what we learn about him in the book, extend your thinking and develop Randy’s character. Discuss Randy’s influence on Jamal and those around him.

Analysis for writing or creating posters and/or charts:

- Compare and contrast Jamal and Tito’s characters.

- Positive vs negative influences in Jamal’s life