Teen Authors: Ellen Hopkins

Many people read to escape real life, to immerse themselves in someone else’s fantasy life of romance and mystery.

Those people should not read anything by Ellen Hopkins.

Hopkins throws her readers, head first, into quicksand. She makes readers suffer and struggle along with the characters, making the reader feel just as vulnerable and confused.

Hopkins’ young adult books have won countless awards since 2001, when her first book, “Crank,” was released.

She is often regarded as a genius by critiques and readers because of her unique writing style. Hopkins writes her entire novels, which are usually at least 500 pages, in free verse. The intimacy of her free verse expresses a sense of secrecy, almost like a personal journal.

Her dramatic use of poetry to convey the real life stories of teens sets her apart from the pack of endless young adult writers. She has often used her readers’ actual life experiences as her inspiration.

Hopkins contains a truly amazing gift of placing you directly into the character’s life. She doesn’t tell you what drugs, sexual abuse, pregnancy or mental illness will do to you. She forces you to endure it. She ensures that you learn the lessons as the characters do.

In every single book, somewhere on the first couple pages, Hopkins makes a special note to all her readers.

“If this story speaks to you, I have accomplished what I set out to do. Think twice. Then think again.”

Hopkins does a remarkable job of reaching in and pulling at the strings of the reader’s heart.

According to her personal web site, her books are the most read books in youth mental institutions. Her books relate to everyone and everything in some way, and they speak to each individual distinctively.

Hopkins continues to write teen novels today. In fact, she released her newest book, “Fallout,” earlier this week.

Popularity: 1% [?]