I've now read three of Ellen Hopkins' titles. She has others and I'd love to read them, but they're so darn emotionally draining to read that it takes me months to recover. Tricks, her latest title, is no exception. In fact, Tricks is probably the best of the Hopkins books I've read so far.
As the title suggests, Tricks is about prostitution. There are five characters who struggle with some aspect of having to either outright sell themselves or who have to use their bodies to secure food and shelter. Each of the characters has been neglected or abused by their parents in some way. There are some gritty scenes in this novel; it is not for the faint of heart. There are no rainbows or pot of gold at the end of this story for any of the characters. It is real and hard to take, but the author's note about the realities of prostitution make it seem like a necessary read.
If you're into poetry, realistic stories, and don't mind reading 600+ pages, then feel free to check out this title at the back of the room.
