Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gripping, gritty sci-fi tale of a clone's identity struggle.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a captivating read that explores deep themes and has a slow start but becomes action-packed and thought-provoking as the story unfolds. While some find it boring at first, most agree it delivers valuable lessons and is more suited for older readers due to its complex themes and occasional violence.
- captivating story
- slow start
- valuable lessons
- older readers
- complex themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Set in the near future, when a narco-state called Opium separates the U.S. and what used to be Mexico, THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION follows Matteo Alacran as he grows up in the household of his \"benefactor,\" the drug kingpin known as El Patron. Nearly everyone hates Matteo because he is a clone, harvested from the DNA of El Patron, but there are a few individuals -- a bodyguard, a cook, the daughter of a U.S. senator -- who treat him kindly. Over time, Matteo begins to understand how El Patron runs his business and the terrible toll it takes on anyone who tries to escape into the U.S. With that understanding comes a realization of his true status within El Patron's severely dysfunctional family, and Matteo must decide how to escape the fate planned for him.
Is It Any Good?
This is a gripping, gritty science fiction coming-of-age story that won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature and was named both a Newbery and Printz Honor Book. Matteo's struggle to build an identity for himself beyond that of a detested clone is both harrowing and poignant. Narrated across the protagonist's childhood, the plot maintains a high level of suspense without straining credulity. Author Nancy Farmer creates a rich cast of well-rounded characters, where even the most despicable figures reveal their vulnerable, human sides.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why cloning is such a popular theme in science fiction. What might be the consequences of cloning human beings? What kinds of rights should clones have?
What are some of the reasons that compel people to leave their countries of origin and live illegally elsewhere? What are immigrants expectations?
Should drugs like opium, marijuana, and cocaine be decriminalized? Would that lead to less drug abuse and violent crime?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Friendship , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Atheneum
- Publication date : November 2, 2001
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 11 - 17
- Number of pages : 380
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate