The House of the Scorpions by Nancy Farmer reviewed by Bartholomew Perez

     The House of the Scorpions is a story about a boy named Matt. The main setting takes place on an opium farm in the year 2129. Matt’s early years were spent alone in a shack on the plantation with his mother Celia. One day, however, he is called out by the children of the plantation’s manager to play.

     In his earnestness for company, he jumps out a broken window on to some glass and is rushed to the plantations doctor who then is shocked to find that Matt is a clone of Elpatron the most powerful man in all of Aztlan which is the country founded drug lords and criminals. For years, Matt is targeted by hatred and racism by the servants and residents of the plantation all because he is a clone and to humans clones are little more than rabid animals. In the story, Matt finds out that ElPatron created him in order to harvest his parts in an effort to stay alive.

     The title of this book points out the fact that the residents of the plantation are all two-faced, conniving, corrupt individuals who are often trying to augment their own position of power.  The story also contains a short, but very important, chapter on romance which I find a very refreshing break from all the plotting and hostility towards our protagonist. What I find most enjoyable is the message about love it sends. No matter what the odds are or how far the distance Matt always tries his best to rejoin with the ones he most cares for. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books about going the distance to achieve your goals for love and family.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins reviewed by Bartholomew Perez

Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games is an amazing book that everyone will enjoy. The book is loaded with action, romance, and well-placed cliff hangers that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The story is well plotted and easy to follow. The Hunger Games is a story based around a young girl named Kattniss, resident of District 12 which is the main coal supplier for the Capitol. The Capitol is the evil dictating government run by the even more sinister and most likely insane President Snow, a dying sick old man who gained power by killing off his enemies and some of his allies.  

The title is based off the books Hunger Games which is a tournament that involves the twelve districts giving up two tributes--one male and one female. The pair will then have to fight the other two tributes from each districts totaling in 24 tributes; of the 24, only one may survive to return home with the prize of honor and extra rations for his or her District. The tournament is a way of reminding the districts that never again should they ever fight the power of the Capitol.                       

The two tributes from District 12 are Kattniss and Peta. Kattniss, one of the two protagonists, is the narratorr. She lives with her mother and younger sister. Unfortunately, Kattniss lost her father in a mine collapse. She is a brave and beautiful young lady who is also a trained hunter. Her morals are what make her a good person.  One example is when her younger sister Prim is called to be the official tribute for District 12, Kattniss steps forward to take her place without hesitation. Throughout the book, she faces many challenges such as trust issues and moral strife. I find this book is worthwhile and exhilarating and I would recommend it to any person capable of reading. This book is in simple terms completely and totally worth being put on the big screen.