Scorpions

What would you do if you were forced to lead a gang to protect your family? For twelve-year-old Jamal, this isn't a hypothetical. When his older brother is sent to prison, Jamal is pressured to take over the Scorpions, a choice that could cost him everything. This summary explores the impossible decisions young people face when trapped by their circumstances. You'll uncover how the weight of a gun and the promise of power can corrupt friendships, challenge family loyalty, and force a kid to grow up way too fast. Discover Jamal's struggle to find a way out when every path looks like a dead end.

Walter Dean Myers was a celebrated author and the third National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, dedicated to telling the authentic stories of urban youth. Growing up in Harlem, Myers drew from his own experiences with poverty, violence, and the struggle for identity to create powerful, realistic narratives like Scorpions. His work gives a voice to marginalized teens, exploring the complex moral choices they face with profound empathy and unflinching honesty, inspiring a generation of readers and writers.