The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

So what is the value of human life anyway? I’m sure you’ve probably chewed this question over and over a thousand and two times before. But humor me a minute and consider reading the slightly futuristic novel The House of the Scorpion. Welcome to the world of Matt Alacran, the world of a clone. Usually a clone’s intelligence is destroyed when born, but Matt happens to be the clone of the powerful El Patron, who has lived 140 years with transplants from previous clones. El Patron controls the country of Opium, which lies between the United States and Aztlan, formerly Mexico, with fields of white opium poppies worked by senseless eejits—humans with implanted computer chips in their brains. Hated by El Patron’s family but loved by his caretaker Celia and guided by Tam Lin, El Patron’s very own Scottish body guard, Matt receives an education and eventually begins to understand his fate as a clone. With the help of Tam Lin, he escapes to Aztlan only to be SURPRISE! taken into a more subtle form of slavery in an orphanage. In the face of greed, corrupted power, and cruelty, Matt must decide the side he is on before returning to his country. This highly imaginative, yet grave award-winning story will capture your attention and leave you with questions long after you’ve read it. Reviewed by Nicole