The House of the Scorpion

The House of the Scorpion
written by Nancy Farmer



While the plot is a well-crafted one, this sometimes frustratingly long book is one best enjoyed in short bursts. There are passages of long, dry description that hinder the reader and make the story less interesting than it is. The characters are all well-developed, particularly Tam Lin, with unique individual personalities (or, with the case of the eejits, a lack of one). It's not a book I would ordinarily read, but I did enjoy it nevertheless, although it's not something completely stunning and breathtaking as many other books out there are. The ending seemed extraordinarily rushed to me, and the chapters with Matt and the other kids working were awkward somehow, didn't seem to fit with the story all that well, and felt completely unnecessary. I thought the ending was powerful, though I felt like Maria and Esperanza should have been there to see the final outcome. Overall, a good book, but not a "must-read, go out and buy it NOW" one.

Rating: 4/5