Scorpions by Walter Dean Myers

Set in Harlem in modern times, Scorpions tells the story of Jamal Hicks struggling through life. His brother, Randy, is in jail, convicted of killing someone. His sister Sassy is always telling on him. His Mom works too hard and gets paid too little. When their lawyer tells the Hicks family that he needs $2000 to take Randy's case back to court Jamal is faced with a decision that will change his life.

He decides to hook up with the gang his brother used to be in charge of, the Scorpions, and try to get the money from them. When Randy's second in command, Mack, wants Jamal to run the gang, a power play ensues with Angel and Indian fighting Jamal over control of the gang.

Throughout this ordeal, Jamal has to deal with a bully at school, his family's poverty, and his personal struggles with school. There is a hope for him though. His best friend Tito.

Myers writes in the "language of the street," which can be engaging at times, but at others it becomes down right bothersome.

This is a great book, but I thought the ending was a bit of a disappointment. I had to use a lot of predicting, inferencing and envisionment for this book. I highly recommend it.