The book House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer took me longer than normal to read, as I had to put this book down after about 130 pages. I was not prepared for what I read, and I didn’t pick it up again until I could read the story on the author’s terms. I think it is unfair to the author and the story if the reader doesn’t try to accept a piece for what its goals are. I never got to the point where I liked the book, but I did manage to accept the book for what it was and found it to be interesting in regards to its major ideas (like immigration into USA/Mexico). It seemed pretty clear that the message was that “clones are humans too.” It is not right or fair to cut them up or test on them just because they are different.

The story follows the life of Matt, the clone of El Patron or Matteo Alacran, from Matt’s conception until his teen years. We first get to know him before he turns six, when he finds out he is a clone. Matt doesn’t really know what that means, but he can tell that many people don’t like him. For example, he is temporarily imprisoned in a pig sty, until El Patron provides him with a bodyguard and returns him to his home to be given an education. During the next seven years, he makes friends but also discovers hard truths about clones, slavery and immigration.

Near Matt’s fourteenth birthday, El Patron gets very sick, and they bring Matt in to be harvested. Matt finally understands that he follows a long line of clones who have been brought up, simply to keep El Patron alive. Can Celia, his caretaker, protect him? If he finds a way to escape, will his life actually get any better? Will he ever be treated like a normal kid or will he always be an outcast?

I think it was a mature-read, and that it is too mature for most preteens I know. While the book is simply written, with short sentences and easy vocabulary, the plot contains many sensitive subjects. I am not opposed to children being exposed to these realities, but it really depends on the individual, whether they can handle it or not. This book is not a light read.

Kate

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
National Book Award
Newbery Honor Book
ALA Honor Book, silver
(c) 2002, Simon and Schuster
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 0-689-85222-3
380 Pages
Illustrations by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins