The book Scorpions by Walter Dean Meyers is a tremendous book that made me wonder about life in gangs. Jamal Hicks a character with a lot of life and attitude is trying to get his gang bound brother out of prision. As he goes along his journey of trying to find money for the appeal it makes the reader very excited,worried, and scared. Although the story is short and more to be desired, the characters are full of life and energy. I think that you should go out and read the book Scorpions because it is truly one of the greatest books I've ever read. I gave it four and half out of 5 stars.

They handed him the gun and at that point Jamal's life changed.

Jamal Hicks is 12 years old living in a poorer family in inner city New York. His brother, Randy was involved in a gang called the SCORPIONS. Randy kills a person, (and can no longer be in charge of his gang) then he is sent to jail. Later second in command named Mack wants Jamal to run the gang and he gives Jamal a gun. Everything goes downhill from there. From page one I was fascinated and was sad once I finished it. This book follows suit from all the other literary master pieces written by Walter Dean Myers. I loved this book and have no doubt that you will love it too.

Interesting premise- what does a younger brother owe his older brother in terms of taking his place in the gang when older brother is incarcerated?
Toss in a gun that impacts younger brother's best friend and the choices that young persons are faced with are complex for any age. The real life situations that the characters find themselves in are mirrored all over the country by the youth of today. Parents should find this an insightful easy read for material that is of concern to youth of today.

By Walter d. Myers



Have you ever been asked to kill or beat up someone? Have you ever been asked to be in a gang? Well, Jamal a 12year old boy is questioned time after time this question. Since his brother Randy was the head leader of the gang "Scorpions". He is asked because his brother is put in jail. So Jamal is asked to become the leader. It's all up to Jamal will he become the leader or dead the gang. What would you do in his situation?

Jamal is a 12 year old that lives in a rough environment with his sis, (Sassy), mom and brother Randy. He is having lots of problems in life. He isn't very wealthy so he hardly has thing but his mom works hard to make a living for her 3 children. This book is a great book for me because some of the problems he faced are what I'm facing in the present. This helped me see the results of being in a gang, and the most reason to not become a gang member. Jamal is afraid of the gang that rules his neighborhood, especially since it landed his brother in jail. Randy wants his little brother Jamal to take his place and become the new leader of the scorpions. Even though his mother, sister and best friend Tito tries to talk him out of it, Jamal tries to be a sport and stand with his brother. Violence soon happens as the older gang members move in on him when Jamal tries to escape with the gun the gang gave him.

The message that Walter dean Myers is trying to get out to his readers is that people do lots of bad things in life but you have to over look that and don't let your thoughts bring you down. This book reminds me of me and my outside life because Jamal is asked to be in a gang, which is the same with me and he doesn't want to let his brother down and I didn't want to let my friends down so I joined it as well as him he did also and after I felt scared and was ready to quite and that's what he feels after. This also reminds me of the outside life we live in today because no matter where you go you will always find violence.

Walter dean Myers is a writer of children and teenagers. Walter dean Myers is a five- time receiver of lots of awards. He is a great writer, he writes books from picture to action to fiction to non fiction. He is one of the best teen writers. This is why I would recommend this book to who wonders how people in or asked to be in gangs react or some of the things they do. I would also recommend the book to people who go through these types of things, he did and does. This book is for kids like of the age of 10 and for young adults.

Scorpions is a wonderful book written by the fabulous author, Walter Dean Myers. This book is about a boy, Jamal, and his best friend, Tito. Jamal is about 13 and black. Tito is also about 13 and Puerto Rican and lives with his Abuela. Jamal's brother is the leader of a gang called scorpions that sell crack. Jamal's brother, Randy, was thrown in jail for murder. Jamal's mom falls apart with grief because she doesn't have the money to get him out. Jamal becomes the leader of the scorpions but Angel, Indian, and Blood don't like him. Mack, Randy's ace, is the only one who likes Jamal. Mack gives him a gun and all it does is cause trouble, and someone ends up dead.
This story takes place in the present in a small town in a bad neighborhood. This books theme is adventure. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good book with a sad but happy ending. The moral to this story is weapons don't hurt just physically they can also hurt emotionally.