The House of the Scorpion

I had never heard of this book before taking my Children’s Literature course my sophomore year in college. Thank goodness I was introduced to it though by my professor because it is a beautifully woven science fiction story. Nancy Farmer receives a Newbery Honor for her novel The House of the Scorpion creating a coming-of-age story of identity. There are many mature concepts presented in this novel, but they are very relatable to older elementary students. It is very important to introduce certain topics to students in ways like this that aren’t necessarily true but can relate to how they’re feeling in similar situations.

A review by Michael Berry on commonsensemedia.org emphasizes the main points of the plot, and also mentions “Nancy Farmer creates a rich cast of well-rounded characters, where even the most despicable figures reveal their vulnerable, human sides.” In novels, there can be circumstances where characters seem invincible. Yet in this novel, Farmer brings out the vulnerability and flaws in not just characters you would think she would, but others that you wouldn’t. Therefore, Nancy Farmer’s science fiction novel, The House of the Scorpion, creates a world for older elementary students to explore not only the story in the book but the story of their life and who they are.