Scorpions. 13: 978-0-06-440623-9. 10: 0-06-440623-7, Walter Dean Meyers, Andy Bacha, Steven Scott HarperCollins Publications, 1988, Newberry Honor Book, 13-17, African-American, Hispanic.
Jamal Hicks, the main character, is pressured to become leader of the Scorpions gang after his brother goes to jail. He is harassed and bullied by an older, bigger boy at school and labeled a trouble-maker and loser by his school principal. As he faces tough decisions, Jamal gains a new level of respect from his enemies after they realize that he has a gun. This also gives him a false sense of courage and security. Jamal and his best friend Tito find themselves in a dangerous situation when trying to get rid of the gun, leaving one boy dead and another in the hospital. This event has dire consequences that force Jamal and Tito’s lives to change.
Scorpions is an energetic book because of the writing style used by the author. The characters in Scorpions are very diverse. The author uses well-drawn characters that are real, who have a powerful emotional impact on the reader. The characters are called upon to be courageous, being strong when life is confusing and survival is difficult.
The use of realistic dialogue also helps us learn a lot about the characters' feelings and fears.The language used is colloquial but very effective. The language of inner city youth is here, complete with attitude, flair, and humor.
The dynamic plot gives a realistic portrayal of the problems young people face. Some of these problems are making choices about friends, their activities, and their interactions with others. The characters' decisions affect their own and others' lives, which mirrors what happens in real life.
Scorpions is a book I would use with students who have tough times in making concrete desicions. It will challenge them to consider their own decisions as they come of age in a complex and a fairly frustrating world. Students from single-parent families would be able to identify with some of the events in this book, therefore it would be helpful for them to know that there are others out there going through the same. The book clearly depicts issues of Peer pressure, thus it would help such students make choices/decision carefully reflecting on the out come.
Ah, Hilda-So YOU are "Reading Eyes." Be sure to give you first name when you post on the blogs of classmates.
ReplyDeleteYou've captured the essence of these two books by Walter Dean Meyers. I especailly like your comment that one way character is developed is through the use of natural dialogue that has the "attitude, flair and humor" that is characteristic of African American Vernacular. As an English teacher, it is important to understand that AAV is not "poor English," bust merely ONE variation among the many variations of English. None of us speak "the King's English," not would we wish to.
I'd like to see more examples from the texts backing up the good points that you make. For example, how is "diversity" shown in these novels, and what evidence from the text shows character development. Good first entries! Bonnie