The Lord of Opium

Brief Description: In 2137, fourteen-year-old Matt is stunned to learn that, as the clone of El Patron, he is expected to take over as leader of the corrupt drug empire of Opium, where there is also a hidden cure for the ecological devastation faced by the rest of the world. Marc Notes: A Richard Jackson Book.; Sequel to: House of the scorpion.; In 2137, fourteen-year-old Matt is stunned to learn that, as the clone of El Patron, he is expected to take over as leader of the corrupt drug empire of Opium, where there is also a hidden cure for the ecological devastation faced by the rest of the world.; 8; Ages 12 and up."Publisher Marketing: As the teenage ruler of his own country, Matt must cope with clones and cartels in this riveting sequel to the modern classic "House of the Scorpion," winner of the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a Printz Honor. Matt has always been nothing but a clone--grown from a strip of old El Patron's skin. Now, at age fourteen, he finds himself suddenly thrust into the position of ruling over his own country. The Land of Opium is the largest territory of the Dope Confederacy, which ranges on the map like an intestine from the ruins of San Diego to the ruins of Matamoros. But while Opium thrives, the rest of the world has been devastated by ecological disaster--and hidden in Opium is the cure. And that isn't all that awaits within the depths of Opium. Matt is haunted by the ubiquitous army of eejits, zombielike workers harnessed to the old El Patron's sinister system of drug growing--people stripped of the very qualities that once made them human. Matt wants to use his newfound power to help, to stop the suffering, but he can't even find a way to smuggle his childhood love, Maria, across the border and into Opium. Instead, his every move hits a roadblock, some from the enemies that surround him...and some from a voice within himself. For who is Matt really, but the clone of an evil, murderous dictator? Review Citations:

Kirkus Reviews 01/01/0001 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

Kirkus Bea Big Book Guide 05/15/2013 pg. 65 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

Booklist 06/01/2013 pg. 75 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Publishers Weekly 06/24/2013 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2013 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

Voice of Youth Advocates 08/01/2013 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

Kirkus Reviews Fall Preview 08/15/2013 pg. 52 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 09/01/2013 pg. 156 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2013 pg. 94 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2014 pg. 265 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2014 (EAN 9781442482548, Hardcover)

Audio File 02/01/2014 pg. 59 (EAN 9781470346973, Compact Disc)

Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2013 pg. 94 (EAN 9781481401067, Paperback)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2014 pg. 265 (EAN 9781481401067, Paperback)

School Library Journal 02/01/2014 pg. 56 (EAN 9781442362420, Compact Disc)

Audio File 02/01/2014 pg. 59 (EAN 9781442362420, Compact Disc)

Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2013 pg. 94 (EAN 9781442482562, Open Ebook)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2014 (EAN 9781442482562, Open Ebook)

Contributor Bio:  Farmer, Nancy Nancy Farmer has written three Newbery Honor books: "The Ear, the Eye and the Arm"; "A Girl Named Disaster"; and "The House of the Scorpion", which, in 2002, also won the National Book Award and the Printz Honor. Other books include The Lord of Opium", "The Sea of Trolls", "The Land of the Silver Apples", "The Islands of the Blessed", "Do You Know Me", "The Warm Place", and three picture books for young children. She grew up on the Arizona-Mexico border and now lives with her family in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona.