Title: Tricks
Author: Ellen Hopkins
First published August 20, 2009
627 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781416950073 (ISBN10: 1416950079)
Rating: 4.29
Overview
In Tricks by Ellen Hopkins, the lives of five teenagers from different parts of the country collide in a powerful and heart-wrenching story. Three girls and two guys, some from great families and others with no one at all, are all searching for something: freedom, safety, community, family, love.
But when the words “I love you” are said for all the wrong reasons, their lives are forever changed. With five moving stories that remain separate at first, readers will witness the choices these teens make, the leaps of faith they take, and the inevitable falls that come with growing up.
As they navigate the confusing world of sex and love, they will ask themselves, “Can I ever feel okay about myself?” This is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
About the Author
I’m Ellen Hopkins, a bestselling author known for my books Crank, Burned, Impulse, Glass, Identical, Tricks, Fallout, Perfect, Triangles, Tilt, and Collateral. My home is in Carson City, Nevada, where I live with my husband and son.
I’m touched by the thousands of hits I get on my Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest pages from teens who say that I “get” them. You can find me at ellenhopkins.com.
Books have always been my life. I’m passionate about reading, but writing is where my heart truly lies.
It’s a challenge to balance my love for my family, friends, animals, and home with my desire to travel and meet readers like you. I hope to cross paths with many of you soon!
Editoral Review
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins is a riveting young adult novel published in August 2009. Ellen Hopkins is a bestselling author known for her bold and courageous voices of troubled teenagers.
The author, a former journalist and freelance writer, has used her unique storytelling skills to provide insight into the lives of teens grappling with addiction, abuse, and other issues that plague modern society. Tricks takes readers on a rollercoaster ride as it untangles the lives of five troubled teenagers, all seeking a way out of their hopeless situations.
The novel is divided into five different parts, each focusing on one of the five protagonists. Their narratives are interwoven, allowing readers to see the connections between their lives and the choices they make.
The novel features strong characters who come from different walks of life, and it’s impressive to see how Hopkins manages to craft each one’s unique voice so effectively. We meet Eden, a well-to-do teenager who rebels against her parents and their high expectations, and Seth, who struggles with his attraction to men and tries to navigate his conservative Christian family.
Whitney is an aspiring singer who becomes addicted to drugs, while Ginger is a girl who runs away from abuse at home and attempts to find solace in selling her body. Finally, there’s Cody, who turns to male prostitution to pay the bills for his stepfather’s gambling debts.
Tricks portrays the harsh realities of contemporary society without shying away from the ugly truth. The novel brings attention to the dark side of life, exposing issues such as addiction, exploitation, and poverty.
By doing so, Hopkins paints a realistic and sobering portrait of the struggles that young people face. The writing in Tricks is breathtakingly poetic, providing rich and powerful language that compels readers to keep turning the pages.
The structure of the book is also noteworthy, as Hopkins’ use of free verse allows her to delve deep into the minds and hearts of her characters, illuminating their struggles and motivations in a way that traditional prose could not. Despite its many strengths, Tricks does have a few weaknesses.
Some readers might find it hard to keep track of the various characters and their different threads, while others might feel the novel’s treatment of certain issues isn’t as nuanced as it could have been. Additionally, some sensitive readers might struggle with the explicit depictions of sex and drug use.
Overall, however, Tricks is an excellent novel that’s deserving of its status as a modern classic. It’s a hard-hitting story that tackles critical issues, and its raw and emotional nature proves to be an unforgettable and rewarding reading experience.
Hopkins’ masterful storytelling skills make this novel a must-read for anyone interested in YA literature that combines social commentary with poetic craftsmanship. Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
