Margaret K. McElderry – August 25, 2009
What would you do to survive? Can one decision change your life forever? TRICKS by Ellen Hopkins tackles these and many other issues. Five teens, all from different backgrounds, find themselves in places and situations they never could have foreseen.
Eden, a preacher’s daughter, finds true love. When her parents discover the innocent relationship they send her to a home for troubled teens.
Seth is dealing with the grief of losing his mother and a father that is becoming more distant as the days go by – seeing only what he wants to see. There is no way Seth can reveal he is gay to his father. His mother might have understood, but not his father.
Whitney has lived in the shadow of her successful older sister her entire life. Feeling ignored by the ones who should love her, Whitney finds affection and attention wherever she can.
Ginger’s mother is a prostitute and lives with her Grandmother and many siblings (all from different fathers). She has been betrayed multiple times by the woman who should be taking care of her – her mother.
Cody, the All-American kid, always keeps his drinking and fooling around under the radar so he never gets caught, but when his step-father gets seriously ill and his younger brother starts getting into major trouble, it falls to Cody to find a way to make ends meet and hold what’s left of his family together. In trying to be a good guy, he develops a dangerous habit.
Ellen Hopkins utilizes her trademark realistic voice, there isn’t any sugar-coating of the subject matter here, to weave the story of five total strangers together to form a heartbreaking look at what some people are forced to do simply to survive. Ellen Hopkins, once again, comes through for her readers with this spellbinding novel-in-verse.
There are only two complaints: 1) it felt like it took a little too long to get into the gritty part of the story, even though I realize the need to get to know each character prior to their fall into destruction and 2) the end feels like it comes too soon. I felt I should have been able to turn the last page and read more about the fall-out the characters had to go through. Read it and see what you think and let me know.
AMAZINGG!!!!!!!!!!!
It gives you a whole new insight on the reasons teens do the things we do, most, if not all of which society looks down upon. I really hope she plans a sequal…. sooooo bad. The ending just makes me mad because it just leaves you hanging, especially Eden’s, which would be a great story to continue as well as the others. 
)
I ABSOLUTLY loved that book!!! Def needs a sequal!!!!!!!!!!! I loved all the stories and would love to hear more from all of them!
I absolutely love Ellen Hopkins and her books! They really touch me when i read them and they help to see what really happens in the real world. It’s amazing how she brings into such a clear prospective! I am sooo addicted to her books she needs to hurry and publish some more!! I’ve read all of them!! haha and i also agree completely with Brittany! There has to be a sequal to fallout!! and also to tricks! HAS to!!!
Your deffenatly right about how the story ends to fast and i would love a sequal to all of their storys but Edens was probably my favorite and codys close behind
HOLY GOD, ilove these books (glass,crank..)
cant wait to read this one.!
I agree that is ended much too soon. This book makes you realize the troubles some teens go through. It’s a little scary to think about actually. Whitney was my favorite character, because she had to go through so much scary stuff. There definitely needs to be a sequel to this wonderful book.
I agree that it ended much too soon. This book makes you realize the troubles some teens go through. It’s a little scary to think about actually. Whitney was my favorite character, because she had to go through so much scary stuff. There definitely needs to be a sequel to this wonderful book.
im pretty in love with this book. i can really relate to eden in wayyyy more ways than one. great job <3333
I cannot get passed the fact of meanings and definitions these books explain to me. these books give people a inside of teenagers screwed up lives. It shows you a completely different perspective of how teenagers years can change somebody’s life instantly. I LOVE this book endlessly!! I do believe this book ended differently then I had expected and i do wish she makes a sequal for this book and for her other books as well, like fallout ! i was mad at how this book had ended, but I do hope she has a continuation for these 5 teens lives!
~samantha g.
I cannot get passed the fact of meanings and definitions these books explain to me. these books give people a inside of teenagers screwed up lives. It shows you a completely different perspective of how teenage years can change somebody’s life instantly. I LOVE this book endlessly!! I do believe this book ended differently then I had expected and i do wish she makes a sequal for this book and for her other books as well, like fallout ! i was mad at how this book had ended, but I do hope she has a continuation for these 5 teens lives!
~samantha g.
This book made me want to cry. The whole book was so good, but I felt so bad for all of them. My favorite character’s were probably Seth and Eden.
Eden made me want to hug the poor girl and tell her parent to get the bible out there ass.
Seth made me want to just cry. He can’t help that he’s gay. I just want to hug him.
I just want to hug all of them actually.
And I agree. The book ended to quickly. But, that’s Ellen Hopkins for you.
I love these books..They are so interesting. If there was any kind of sequal to Tricks I would read it. She needs to make some more books…FAST!
LOVE THIS BOOK IT IS TO INTERESTING WANT TO READ IT AGAIN
Alot of people say her books are depressing and sad, I think its just real life..