The House of the Scorpion
#1 of 2 in Matteo Alacran Series
on Goodreads (94,670)
What’s inside...
With undertones of vampires, Frankenstein, dragons' hoards, and killing fields, Matt's story turns out to be an inspiring tale of friendship, survival, hope, and transcendence. A must-read for teenage fantasy fans. At his coming-of-age party, Matteo Alacrán asks El Patrón's bodyguard about his age, leading to the revelation that he was not born but harvested and grown in a cow before being cut out. Considered a beast by most, Matt is seen as a guarantee of eternal life by El Patrón, the lord of Opium, as they share identical DNA. Throughout the narrative, Matt strives to understand his existence while navigating threats from El Patrón's family and a dangerous army of bodyguards. Escape becomes his only chance for survival, yet his marked difference presents unforeseen challenges.
Character compass
Matteo Alacran
Ton-Ton
Fidelito
Chacho
Maria Mendoza
Tam Lin
Celia
Jorge
Steven AlacráN
Tom
El Patron
Discussion points
What do you think about Matt's journey and the challenges he faces? How would you feel in his situation?
How do the characters in the story demonstrate the importance of friendship and loyalty?
What are some ways that the society in the book is different from ours? What are some similarities?
How does the idea of identity play a role in Matt's life and choices? What makes us who we are?
Why do you think El Patron created Matt, and did his intentions change how you feel about him?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking how your child feels about the characters’ decisions and the consequences they face.
Explore the concept of morality by discussing the right and wrong actions of characters and relate them to real-life scenarios.
Highlight the science fiction elements by asking your child what they think about the idea of clones and how it impacts the story.
Facilitate a conversation about resilience and perseverance by discussing how Matt overcomes obstacles and what they can learn from it.
Use the book’s setting and political intrigue to discuss the importance of governance and personal freedom in a society.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist, Matt, faces numerous challenges due to his origins as a clone. Despite the discrimination and harsh conditions, he continuously strives for his dignity and freedom.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persisting through difficult circumstances to achieve their goals and stand up for their rights.
Example Lesson: Understanding and combating inequality
Explanation: The book portrays a society deeply divided by genetic manipulation and socioeconomic status. Matt's journey highlights the impacts of these inequalities.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to recognize and question the social and economic disparities in their world and promotes empathy towards individuals from different backgrounds.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and loyalty
Explanation: Throughout his hardships, Matt finds support and companionship in characters like Tam Lin and Maria. These relationships are crucial to his survival and moral development.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of building meaningful relationships and supporting friends in times of need.
Example Lesson: Ethical decision making
Explanation: Matt is often confronted with moral dilemmas and must make choices that test his values and ethics, reflecting on what it means to be truly human.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think critically about the consequences of their actions and to make decisions that align with ethical principles.