House of the Scorpion

I finished reading House of the Scorpion a while ago and highly recommend it. It's a long book, so it's perfect to take with you on a trip. This is a science fiction story set in a country which lies between the borders of the United States and Mexico-- a place governed by powerful drug lords who grow poppies to produce opium which is sold to foreign countries. The poppy fields are tended by zombie-like people who have been captured by the border patrol when they tried to cross through "Dreamland" on their way either to Mexico or the United States. The main character is a clone, and is looked down upon because of this. The reason for his existence is a terrible secret which he eventually discovers-- too late?

To be perfectly honest, when I heard what the story was about it didn't really appeal to me, but I had heard so many good things about it that I decided I would read it. I really liked the characters and it was hard to put the book down. Easy to understand why it won the Newbery Award. Don't let the length deter you-- it's worth it!

I'm still working on those Battle of the Books questions, so I've also just finished reading The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman and Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret. Both of these are quick, easy reads. I liked the determination of the main character in Million Dollar Shot and the choices he makes. Escaping the Giant Wave is a timely choice following last winter's devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia. This giant wave occurs off the coast of Oregon-- where my sister has just bought a new house. Uh-oh! I'll have to check to see how far from the ocean she is. Anyway, this was a fast-moving story which reminded me a lot of Earthquake Terror, also by Peg Kehret, except I liked the characters much better in Escaping the Giant Wave. I only have one more 5th and 6th grade Battle of the Books book to write questions for. Whew! ...Then I start on the 7th and 8th grade list.