Scorpions

By Walter Dean Myers

Jamal faces a dangerous choice between gang life and saving his brother.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 2,623 ratings

216 pages

$19.80Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Jamal Hicks is caught in a web of pressure from school, home, and the streets of Harlem. With his brother in jail, Jamal is tempted to lead the Scorpions gang to earn money for an appeal. But the cost of respect and power comes with a gun and a looming tragedy. As Jamal navigates loyalty and survival, he must decide if he can escape the gang's grip with the help of his friend Tito. Will he find a way out before it's too late, or will the streets claim another victim?

From the publisher

These days, everyone seems to be getting on Jamal’s case. The kids at school keep bugging him, his teachers won’t leave him alone, and the principal’s always giving him a hard time. Even his mama yells at him, upset because Jamal’s brother is in the slammer. The only one he can count on anymore is his best friend Tito. Now Crazy Mack wants Jamal to take over as leader of the Scorpions and run crack. Jamal doesn’t want anything to do with the gang, but he doesn’t have a choice - it’s the only way to get the money for Randy’s appeal. And as long as he’s got Tito on his side, Jamal knows everything will be okay…