(380 p., Call Number: YA FICTION FARMER)In a possible near future, the United States and Mexico have dealt with their continuing border troubles through the creation of a third nation called "Opium". In Opium, mind-controlled slaves--"Eedjits"--labor in fields of poppies, and clones are universally despised. Young Matt has spent the first six years of his life in isolation until the day he is discovered by three children and taken to the big house. There, 7-year old Matt learns that he is a clone of the original Matteo Alacran, the 142-year-old absolute ruler of Opium, who has gained his longevity through transplanted organs harvested from clones like Matt who have had their brains stunted from birth. Spared this fate by El Patron's conceit, Matt is educated and indulged, though never allowed to forget that he is not completely human. With the death of the old man at age 14, Matt flees Opium but is caught and contained in a work camp. With the help of new friends, Matt attempts to return to Opium and try to write the wrongs of the past.
Like the Hunger Games, The House of the Scorpion features a dystopian future where life is devalued, and the story of one teen attempting to rise above his fate.
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