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I decided to pick this novel up because of the eerie artwork on the front cover and the title seemed very ominous and interesting. After beginning this book I can already tell that the man character Connor is extremely internally conflicted. His mother has cancer and his father has left them, leaving him seeking for comfort and stability. I sympathize for Connor because I know that dealing with a family member with cancer can be overwhelmingly difficult. Connor has a nightmare, the details of which he does not disclose, and refers to as "the truth". I infer that in the nightmare Connor had his mother passed, and he is still not ready to come to peace with it. Connor then begins to have this reoccurring "dream" in which he is visited by a massive monster who informs him that he is to listen to the three stories the monster will tell him, and in turn Connor must tell him "the truth". I infer that when Connor finally reveals "the truth" that he will gain closure and peace in his life. Connor is also bullied at school, and I don't think its any coincidence that there are three stories to be told by the monster and three bullies. Thus, in the three stories Connor should gain wisdom and guidance to aid him in resolving each of his external conflicts with the three bullies. I also really appreciate the various artworks and images within the book, they allow me to gain a better understanding of what is occuring on the page.

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Janna has now discovered feelings for young Asian boy named Takeshi who she adores dearly. But given that this book is a murder mystery, her newly found affection seems suspicious to me. My inference is that Takeshi is somehow related to the scheme of suicides. Kerri continues to suffer at home with her brothers ex-girlfriend barging in and taking mementos of his. The ex-girlfriend is very snappy and I don't like the way she treats Kerri, especially given how fragile she is after such a traumatizing event. I do enjoy Karen Healey's diction, it really assists me in visualizing the situation she is describing. I also find it interesting how she shifts the point of view from character to character every chapter, by doing that she allows me to understand the feelings of all characters and get a broader perspective of the plot. Another thing I appreciate about this book is humor because although the jokes are funny, it also keeps me intrigued while reading. I am used to reading books pinpointed at a higher age range, so its nice to read a book that's directed towards my age because it makes this book so relate able. By being able to relate to Janna, Kerri, and Sione I am much more invested into the story-line of this novel, and who the killer really is. However, I do not like how Janna is judged for her looks; since she is a young, pretty female most of the managers or male authority figures in this story try to take advantage of her or are rude to her.

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I decided to begin reading this book because during one of our reading times the front cover caught my attention, so I quickly read the blurb and I was very intrigued. After reading the first few chapters, I can already tell that this plot is very suspenseful. Sione seems to be level-headed, logical thinker of the group while Janna is a bit spontaneous, and Kerri is very determined. They assembled as a group to try and decipher a pattern of "suicides" of young males. They decided to come together because they all share one thing, they have each been affected by one of the "suicides". I infer that there is no true murderer at all, I believe that it is all an elaborate insurance scam that has been put into place by various of the Samoan families in Summerton. I made this inference because it is made very apparent in the beginning of the story that the large community of Samoan families is tightly woven, and Keri's older brother - who was one of the boys who died - is of Samoan origin and stated that her family received a large sum of money for the death of beloved brother. Keri has also made it very clear that she is out for vengeance, stating multiple times that when they find the killer that she will not hold back justice. This worries me because it causes me to think that Keri may fall out of line later in the story. I do enjoy that each of the characters have rich, and believable backstories that just make the book that much more realistic.

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Jem and Scout continue to find various loot and treats in the knothole of the Radley's tree. This causes me to infer that this series of loot they've discovered is symbolism of change that is coming to Maycomb. Because, when ever the children find something in the tree something unusual occurs; Causing me to think that right before the climax/massive change in the novel, the children will something of great significance in the tree. Then the knothole is patched. Causing a foreshadowing of a major event soon to come. Then it snows in the Maycomb for the first time in a while; proving that I was correct about my inference of change. But something eerie and odd occurs, Boo Radley mysteriously puts a blanket over Scout during the fire of Miss Maudie's house; causing her to reveal the events of the tree to Atticus. I believe Boo Radley was simply trying to crack a joke and amuse himself by toying with the kids, but he may have a despicable plan to harm Scout - I mean he is known to be insane. I personally don't like Boo Radley, he's one of a few antagonists and he is generally creepy; which annoys me. But he's slowly trying to gain sympathy from the kids, because I believe he loathes for attention and for someone to treat him with care. Which brings me to my other inference about Boo Radley placing all the loot in the tree; which is that he enjoyed seeing the kids come by everyday, and it allowed him company which pleases him.

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Scout finds herself struggling with the curriculum of her school, because it moves much to slowly for her. This proves that Scout is much more intelligent than others her age; I infer that her intelligence will play a bigger role later in this novel. Her conflict depicts her to be very keen, but she doesn't seem to understand people skills or manners. School finally ends and summer begins for Scout. While Scout and Jem are playing their annual summer games, they come across themselves acting as if they were the Radleys. The young kids' fascination and temptation with the Radley house causes me to believe that the Radley house symbolizes the choice to leave Maycomb. Because the thought of leaving Maycomb is a frightening thought for most Maycombers, just as bringing up the Radleys is; And I also infer that the characters' constant curiosity and fascination with the Radley house foreshadows Jem or perhaps Scout eventually leaving Maycomb. During Jem and Scout's game of act-a-radley, Atticus catches them in the act and asks them if their game relates to the Radleys. Jem lies and says no. This causes me to believe that Jem has secret desire to leave Maycomb and is too worried to tell Atticus his plan. The overall disrespect the children and the people of Maycomb have for the Radleys annoys me; I am a firm believer that everyone deserves at least some respect. But, the Radleys recieve none, and that displeases me because it is only due to a tale from the past and rumors. None of which should define a persons' status or role in society.

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I decided to start reading this book because I've heard the astounding stories of how amazing the diction is, and just how well the story unfolds. Although I've only begun this novel; I already adore it. I admire Lee's ability to describe the Radley's eerie backyard, and the way she recounts her family's history through Simon FInch. I also enjoy the suspicion and treachery in Arthur Radleys story. I tend to enjoy a good novel that keeps me on the end of my seat. I also noticed how easily persuaded Jem was to touch the Radley's mysterious house; It assisted me in creating a character identity of him. In spite of this, I do not like how Arthur has been practically imprisoned for his trouble with the law. I also don't like how Mrs. Caroline made Scot feel ashamed of his new ability to read; He should've been rewarded for his new accomplishment, not punished. When Scout tried to explain Walter's difficult financial situation to Mrs.Caroline she slapped his hand with a ruler; despite that, I enjoy to see my name in such a praised novel. But, I am currently displeased with Mrs.Caroline's actions, and I feel like Scout is getting poorly treated for no reason. Mrs.Caroline already upsets me because I personally don't believe children of their age should be punished for learning and being hit by a superior who isn't your parent. I am also anxious to see what the Radley household and story as in hold for me. The diction in this novel is also extraordinary; Its very interesting to see the terms and vocabulary used by people from around the same area as us from about fifty years ago.

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I am nearing the end of this novel and I am delighted to say it's one of the best books I've ever read. Matt and his friend Chaco were punished and left for dead in a pit filled with whale bones and bats. Against all odds both boys made it out alive while Fidelito and Ton-Ton rescued them and brought them to the town in which Maria lives. I personally enjoy the way the author had Maria and Matt eventually meet and how the whole story is tied up; Rather than leaving us with multiple cliff-hangers. I also appreciate the personal triumph and growth of the protagonist, Matt. Matt came from nothing and gradually developed into a respected, good-hearted young man. I have adored this book thus far and I will definitely be on the look-out for the follow up book. I appreciate the writer's keen diction and how she tied even the most irrelevant of people into the story. Despite her great word choice and astounding literary devices, the book was a tad cliche; I mean just about every underdog in the story becomes successful beyond their wildest dreams, and everything just seemed to work out in the end. Although not all ends are tied in this book, that is indeed why I believe there must be another book to follow up this one and continue the legacy of Matt. I dislike the part of Matt and Chaco enduring such immense pain during their ordeal in the pit, but I understand that in order for our hero to make a great triumph he must go through a intense suffering.

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Matt has escaped the mansion after El Patrion's unfortunate death. Matt now finds himself alone and in a new city in which he knows no one or how to function in the outside world. I believe Matt is very worried and anxious about what is to happen to him. He is stuck in an orphanage-esq working facility in which the amount of time and effort you put into working, is how much you are fed at meals. Matt and the other young boys are heavily untreated here and that makes me upset. From my point of view, it is wrong to mistreat and abuse children for manual labor. These children should be taught proper education or something more useful than simple tasks such as cleaning, harvesting, or maintaining. This place is called the beehive and the adult supervisors/workers are called "the keepers", these supervisors teach these kids irrelevant lessons and only manual labor tasks. Thus, setting the kids up for unimportant jobs and livelihoods. Although, I do not approve of the mistreatment and over-working of the youth population, I can appreciate the value in a few of these lessons. A good work ethic can go a very long way in the work environment but by teaching these kids to work hard by taking away something as precious as food is morally incorrect. Despite the negative reflection I have on this particular part of this book, I do understand the underlying message is to teach kids to work hard and be productive so that no superior or supervisor should even have to offer you an incentive or threat to make you work any harder.

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Currently in my book, Matt and Maria have since made up from the incident with Furball and Maria has forgiven him. Felicia later admitted to killing Furball in order to frame Matt due to her hatred and envy of him. Matt has also discovered new light in the question he is still awaiting the answer to; Why did El Patrion not blunt his knowledge at birth and ultimately why did El Patrion clone him? I personally infer that El Patrion cloned himself for two reasons. Reason number one is that he cloned himself in order to ensure his rule over his land, Opium, because he is aware that he will not live forever and as conceited as El Patrion is, I don't think he wants to hand the power off to someone else. Another reason for El Patrion's cloning is simply due vanity. El Patrion is extremely old, and due to his old age and slipping mind, I believe he has created Matt for the sole purpose of just being able to see a smaller version of himself growing up again. It is constantly mentioned in the book that El Patrion is always recalling stories and memories about his childhood, thus proving his desire to make him try to relieve those glory days by creating Matt. When Maria cut Matt out of her life entirely, Matt was heartbroken. But after her forgiveness he has closure and is now able to strive in school and around the house. I infer Matt and Maria have some sort of special bond in the story and that eventually Matt will escape the Household, along with his bodyguard Tam Lin, his practical Mother Celia, and Maria as well. This suspense and excitement is building for me as I anxiously await Matt and Maria's destiny.

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In my book right now, Matt has just discovered that someone has killed Maria's dog , Furball , and that he was framed for it. I believe Matt is blamed for this incident because most people in the house discriminate against clones and see them as inferior. Although Matt's original plan was to kidnap the dog and hold it for ransom away from Maria, he would still never harm Furball. Matt commits to holding the dog for ransom so that Maria gives him a chance to talk about what happened at the wedding; Therefore Matt would have no motive to kill the dog because it would only make her more angry. After all this occurs, El Patrion , the leader of everyone, is shipped off to another one of his various homes and he's accompanied by Tam Lin. Tam is Matt's ex bodyguard. He's one of the few people in the house who actually respects him and sees him as a real person. I infer Tam will help Matt escape in the future, since he allows Matt to go farther off the trails and explore more of the wilderness. Right before Tam left the house, he left Matt with a small cache with a plethora of survival equipment, gear, and food. This may foreshadow an escape in the near future. The author's theme so far is to be yourself no matter how others may perceive you. Matt is tormented and discriminated just because he's clone. I personally am not very fond of seeing others being tortured or harmed so this disappointed me heavily.

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Currently in my book, Matt has agitated a girl named Maria. Maria is a close friend of Matt's and Matt stresses heavily due to the situation. Matt is a clone of El Patrion. El Patrion is the boss of the house and every looks up to him. During El Patrion's birthday party, Matt orders Maria to kiss him and forces her to give him his gift. I believe the author intended to do this in order foreshadow Matt's potential, as he his starting show resemblance to his master. I infer that during the next few chapters Matt will begin to become conceited and begin to take shape as El Patrion. A few things I do enjoy in this book so far is the suspense. Farmer does an excellent job of dropping little clues and hints that really make you ponder about what is to come on the next page. After surpassing the first 150 pages in this book I've discovered that this piece is rather dark and a tad bit eerie. For example, during Matt's and Maria's stroll around the house Tom persuades them into following him to a dark room with a door and proceeds to reveal a small horrific cloned cat, that's brain is being destroyed. I believe this a little too far for purpose of this story or that Farmer shouldn't have spent so much time on. Because she used such vivid and descriptive words it almost felt like I was actually there with Matt gazing upon that terrible cat.

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Now, Matt faces persecution for being more intelligent than the other boys and is now dubbed as an "aristocrat" by the guards because he is much more different than the others. Matt also independently thinks, which is obviously what the keepers want to rule out. Although, working as a unit as its benefits, we need independent thinkers like Matt to provide us with new inventions and to keep creativity alive. If everyone were to just simply fall in line and not be creative, we would not be as successful as we are now. Creativity is a necessity in this book and our real world as well. Another thing I find a bit disturbing in this book are the lack of living conditions these young adolescent boys are forced to live under. They are fed 3 meals a day of strictly plankton to provide nutrients; But the excessive amount of plankton causes severe acne for almost all the boys. Matt has finally had enough so begins talking back to the keepers at the daily confession meeting and in turn, he is beaten severely and is dragged to the infirmary for care. A world in which our economy is built on the backs of young vulnerable children is not a world I wish to see. I was also disturbed by the fact that a respected adult would brutally beat a child for doing something so harmless as to talk back or to not confess at confession meetings. Another topic that I did not find appealing in this part of the book, is the constant feeling of despair and misery; I can appreciate the value of despair for the plot of a book, but I'd rather read a book with more of a up-lifted mood.

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I decided to read The House of the Scorpion because the book instantly hooked me after the first couple pages. I am fond of the way the author portrays Matt, a young clone who is constantly under torment or mistreatment. Nancy Farmer also has a unique way of using diction to better describe mundane topics or settings in the book. For example "Still, he couldn't help feeling the warm sensation of pleasure at having zinged Tom" Farmer utilizes her diction excellently in this sentence. Although this book is quite different from something I would usually grab off the shelf, it has been a pleasant surprise partaking in it. I mainly go for something by Mike Lupica or a comedy read, rather than such a gloomy and twisted book like this one. I have, in a way, related to the main character and protagonist, Matt because I too enjoy being left alone and having some time to myself. In the book Matt is forced to live in this enclosed room under dire circumstances and was eventually left with a giant pile of mulch for him to sit, eat, and sleep on. He wouldn't speak or show emotion, and he would rarely leave his "den". I too related to this slightly, by being left alone for so long Matt was able to spend more time bettering himself and his mental health. Personally, I would recommend this book to most of my fellow colleagues due to the fact that this book is full of heavy suspense and mysteries. All in all it has been a jubilant experience so far reading this book and I am optimistic for the finish!