The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

In a future where humans despise clones, Matt enjoys special status as the young clone of El Patron, the one hundred forty-two-year-old leader of a corrupt drug empire nestled between Mexico and the United States.

Liz says:

“While younger kids may read this book, I think it is best read late in the 6th grade year or in 7th grade. Understanding the concept of cloning is crucial to really understanding the book. This is an incredibly well-written and intelligent book. It is also amazingly entertaining and suspenseful. There are very few books that have received 3 major awards. (Monster by Walter Dean Myers would be another example). The awards are well deserved.”