A children's book about drug lords, cloning, illegal immigration, and child abuse? Sounds a bit on the heavy side to say the least.

I bought this book for my son and intended to read it before him to screen it and make sure it was "safe" but then ran out of time. My son, who is a voracious reader, read it before me. When he told me the book was about drug lords, illegal aliens, cloning and a boy getting abused I was immediately concerned and started to doubt my judgement! What have I done? What a terrible parent? Needless to say I began reading it myself to see what it was about...

The book immediately pulled me into to it's imaginary world that is not too far off from reality. Though science fiction, it has a wonderful story line about love and family. It also touches on just what makes a person, "human". Just because Matt is a clone does not mean he does not have all the feelings of a real human boy. This book really makes you think about moral and political issues in an entertaining and real way.

Some of the issues are very deep and a little bit graphic. Although I think my son was too young (9 years old)I do not believe he was mentally scared in any way by reading it. I think the book is fine for a 12 year old and would be great for most to read it. The issues that are confronted are presented in a mostly unbiased way-but lean to the conservative.

The book also confronts the issue of learning right from wrong and how to correct mistakes that you have made. There are plenty of mean and evil people in this world, but there are others that are so kind it makes you cry.

After reading The House of the Scorpion you come away wondering what would happen to our society if we began to dabble in some of these moral /sociopolitical aspects. Could we become so callous and ignorant as the wealthy, powerful evildoers in the book. Or, could we be more responsible as a society. Whether you agree with Farmer or not, you will confront your beliefs while reading this book.

Recommended: Yes