Twelve-year-old Jamal Hicks lives in a contemporary Harlem neighborhood in which male peer tension and values can outweigh other influences, even family, church and school. Tension in the superbly plotted novel mounts once Jamal possesses a gun. Characterizations of Jamal, his best friend Tito, and his remarkably strong mother are powerful. The author allows readers the freedom to draw conclusions regarding Jamal's future, after reading the memorable final pages, which are certain to stimulate speculation. However, Myers leaves no doubt that he knows a boy can grow in courage and personal strength, even if the institutions he trusts fail him. (Age 11 and older)

The Scorpions are a gun-toting Harlem gang, and Jamal Hicks is about to become tragically involved with them in this authentic tale of the sacrifice of innocence and the struggle to steer clear of violence.

This Newbery Honor Book will challenge young men to consider their own decisions as they come of age in a complex and often frustrating society.

Pushed by a bully to fight and nagged by his principal, Jamal is having a difficult time staying in school. His home life is not much better, with his mother working her fingers to the bone to try to earn the money for an appeal for Jamal's jailed older brother, Randy.

Jamal wants to do the right thing and help earn the money to free his brother by working, but he's afraid to go against the Scorpions. Jamal eventually pulls free of the gang's bad influence, but only through the narrowest of escapes.

Walter Dean Myers, five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, sensitively explores the loyalty and love between friends faced with hard choices. Scorpions is 25 years old, but the issues of poverty and violence make it a timeless powerful read—sadly as relevant as ever.