Scorpions (novel)

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Scorpions is a novel written by Walter Dean Myers, first published by HarperCollins on June 20, 1988 (ISBN 0-06-024364-3).

[edit] Synopsis

The novel tells the story of a 12 year old boy from Harlem who is having a hard time in life. The boy is the main character, Jamal Hicks. Jamal is having a hard time at school, home, and in the streets. The only person he can count on is his best friend Tito.

The main problem in his life is trying to get his brother, Randy, out of jail. Randy is a 17 year old who is the leader of the gang Scorpions. The gangs motive is to make money by selling cocaine.

His family includes himself, Mama, his 8 year old sister Sassy, Randy, and his father. Jamal's father used to be an alcoholic after losing his job and started being mean to Mama until she moved away from him with the kids. This happened while Jamal was very young. Now Jamal's father only comes to visit the family once in a while.

The story starts out with Jamal and his family thinking that Randy needs only $500 for his appeal.Then the next morning, Jamal's Mama tells Jamal that Randy says to go see Mack. Mama doesn't like the boy because he's on crack and thinks he caused Randy to kill the delicatessen owner. She keeps warning Jamal about Mack. When Jamal meets Mack, Mack tells Jamal to be the leader of the Scorpions and finds out the appeal is really $2000. The second time Jamal meets Mack, Mack gives him a gun.

At school, Jamal is having a tough time with the principal, Mr. Davidson. The teachers are giving him trouble, and Dwayne is giving him trouble. In the book, he fights Dwayne twice and threatens Dwayne with a gun in the second fight. The gun causes several bad occasions, ultimately causing Jamal's best friend Tito to be sent back to Puerto Rico.