Tricks

Title: Tricks
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Published: Aug 2009
ISBN: 9781416950073
Price: 10.99
Genre: realistic fiction, novels in verse
Reading Level: 5th grade
Interest Level:  10th-12th grade
Awards: Rainbow Lists
Plot Summary: The story is about 5 troubled teens who fall into teenage prostitution. Each teens situation and background is different. Seth is teen who lives with his conservative father on their farm but Seth is gay and has been hiding it from his father. He has been secretly dating a man but when he tells Seth that his moving away Seth falls into depression. Then Seth is forced to leave when his father finds love letters from his boyfriend. With no money and no options Seth becomes the lover to an older wealthy man who in exchange for sex takes care of Seth. There is Eden, who is the daughter of a conservative preacher. Eden falls in love with a guy despite her parents strict rules on dating. When they discover Eden's hidden relationship they send her off to camp Zion to be cleansed of the devil. Soon Eden realizes her only escape is to trade sexual favors for what she needs. Whitney is dating a guy who she thinks loves her but when he takes her virginity and then dumps her she is completely lost. She then falls for an older guy who seems to care about her feeling and is nothing like her ex boyfriend. But when they run away together things change for the worse. Soon he is getting her high and using her for sex and then he starts to force strange men on her. Ginger always swore she would never become her mother who sells herself for sex, especially after she was raped by some of the strange men Ginger brings around. But when Ginger finds out that her mother allowed these rapes in exchange for money Ginger runs off with her girlfriend to Las Vegas. but soon Ginger finds that she is forced into her mother's profession. Lastly there is Cory who has a hot new girlfriend and a good life that is until his step father dies and leaves his family broke. Cory tries to gamble his way out of poverty but when that doesn't work he turn to prostitution. But how can Cory have sex with men if he isn't gay, or maybe he is, Cory doesn't know anymore.
Review: Ellen Hopkin's books are dark, gritty, and extremely graphic. Tricks presents some very challenging and graphic content that at times is disturbing. But there is something in the way that Hopkins writes that doesn't allow you to put the book down, even when the content is disturbing. You can't help but feel that these stories are real. The 5 stories all seem to flow together as each character falls into prostitution. I like how Hopkin's shows that different teens from different backgrounds can all fall victim to teenage prostitution. She does't just stick to stereotypes of drugged out teens but instead shows the spiral of desperation that lead these teens to their position. The story doesn't end happily but Hopkin's at least gives readers a glimmer of hope with a few of the characters stories.
Reader's Annotation: Five different teens from across the country all find themselves involved in teenage prostitution. This is not what they thought love was about.
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The story deals with drug addiction, rape, prostitution, love, acceptance, LGBT issues, poverty and family issues. Teens can experience these tragic and often disturbing issues through the safety of a book. The book also act as almost a warning on how some teens fall prey to teenage prostitution.
Issues: There is a lot in Hopkins books that people will take offense with. The book contains very graphic sex sense involving men and woman, woman and woman and also men with men. There is a lot drug and alcohol use by teens and other characters. There is scenes of violence, abuse and rape. The story is extremely graphic in nature and deals with a controversial issue.
Book Talk Ideas: This books would be difficult to book talk due to it's very graphic and disturbing content. I think the best way to book talk a book like this is to be very upfront about the stories content but to also focus on the personal struggles of the characters. That is what teens will connect with.
Main Themes: rape, prostitution, drug abuse, families, love, abuse, identity
Read-alikes: Fallout by Ellen Hopkins
Author Website: http://ellenhopkins.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews
Why this book was chosen: Ellen Hopkins books are known for their graphic and realistic nature. It is because of this that her books are often banned or censored. The books have huge appeal to teens, especially reluctant readers.

Crank

Title: Crank
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Published: Oct 2004
ISBN: 9780689865190
Page number: 537
Price: $6.99
Genre: story in verse, realistic fiction
Reading Level: 8th grade
Interest Level: 8th grade and up
Awards: Abraham Lincoln Award (2009)
Plot Summary: Crank is the story of a teenage girl name Kristina, who loses herself to her alter ego Bree and the world of meth. Kristina goes to visit her father who hasn't been a part of her life after her parents divorced. Her mother reluctantly allows her to visit her father and Kristina soon learns that her father is still the alcoholic druggie that her mother divorced. Kristina starts calling herself Bree and falls for a troubled boy in her father's apartment building. Her decent into meth is fast and soon "Bree" finds herself hooked on the monster she calls crank. Kristina returns home a different person and it isn't long before she finds a new group of friends that help feed her addiction. Bree has taken over and it seems that Kristina is no more. But as her world starts to fall apart and her mother becomes worried will Kristina finally turn her back on the monster or will she continue her downward spiral.
Review: The story is told in verse, which at first can be difficult to follow. But it doesn't take long to adjust to the style of writing. The writing style actual helps reflect the stream of conscience of Kristina which is often jumbled and scattered as she falls further into addiction. The story itself is a gritty and honest look at meth addiction. Kristina is what seems to be a very typical teenager who falls into the wrong crowd. She isn't a teen living in poverty but rather has a supportive mother and all her basic needs are filled. This makes Kristina's fall even more bleak because she gives up so much for her addiction. As Kristina become more addicted an engages in more risky behavior the reader finds themselves engrossed in her life hoping for a happy ending. By the end of the story the reader is left with the reality of how meth can change your life forever, which in Kristina's case she finds herself pregnant and dealing with withdraw.
Reader's Annotation: Kristina was a good girl, always did as she was told. But then Bree came along and took over. Bree may look just like Kristina, but Bree has invited the monster in; meth. Kristina will never be the same because once you let the monster in, it may never leave.
Issues: The book deals with drug use, addiction, drinking, sex, rape, teenage pregnancy and foul language.
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The book is an honest reflection of the very real problem of meth addiction. It shows just how quickly and easily a smart teenager girl from the middle class can fall victim to meth. I think that often people associate drugs with poverty, but in Kristina's case she was very well taken care of. Her story is not sugar coated as she lies, steals and falls prey to rape in order to feed the monster. For teens dealing with addiction, either personally or with a family member or friend, the story is one they can relate to. It can help bring awareness to the issue of drug addiction among teens.
Book Talk Ideas: The book talk should reflect the style of the writing, so perhaps a book talk in verse or stream of conscience.
Genre: books in verse, realistic fiction
Main Themes: drug addiction
Read-alikes: Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson
Author Website: http://ellenhopkins.com/
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why this book was chosen: The book is highly controversial and very popular. At my library it is often stolen or checked out and never returned. The story connects with many teens and has huge appeal to reluctant readers due to its quick and tumultuous storyline.