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Tricks (by Ellen Hopkins)

common sense media says

Extremely intense, gritty look at teen prostitutes.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book is about teen prostitution and features graphic depictions of sex. The teens in this book have sex with men and women, trade sex for money and drugs, and are forced to make pornographic movies, have threesomes, etc. One character is raped in two different instances when her mother sells her to strangers. There is harsh language, drug use, and violence throughout.  The author powerfully demonstrates how easily children can be manipulated by adults. All but one of the teens here had a loving home at one point, but still eventually ended up trading sex for a living. The author also points to resources for teens in trouble.

Educational value: Could open up discussion on a wide variety of subjects, including teen prostitution, abusive homes -- even book censorship. Parents may want to read or at least skim through the book first to prepare themselves for their teens' questions or reactions. 
Positive messages: The author powerfully demonstrates how easily children can be manipulated by adults. All but one of the teens here had a loving home at one point, but still eventually ended up trading sex for a living. The author also points to resources for teens in trouble.
Positive role models: All the teen protagonists resort to selling their bodies, though they are sympathetic characters and readers will learn a lot from their stories.
Violence: A girl is raped by strangers after her mother sells her. Another character is beaten up and ends up nearly dying in the hospital.
Sex: Graphic depictions of sex for money, drugs, or power -- and occasionally sex for love.
Language: All the biggies, including adult language for sex acts and drugs.
Consumerism: A few mentions of brands like Gap, Coke, Kool cigarettes, Tundra, etc.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink and do drugs. One even shoots heroin.

More on Tricks

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about prostitution. What are some of the reasons that characters here are driven to prostitution? What would you do to stop this problem?

  • Some of the material here is very graphic -- from depictions of sex acts to descriptions of drug use. At what point is the material inappropriate for teen readers? Should a book ever be censored?

  • Ellen Hopkins has written other books in free verse, like Glass and Impulse. Do you think books written this way are easier to read? How about to write?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Hopkins weaves the lives of five teens who sell themselves for money, security, drugs, and power. Ginger ends up stripping after running away from an abusive mother, while Whitney is manipulated into prostitution by a man who she thinks she loves. Seth is kicked out of the house by his father when he discovers he's gay and ends up being "kept" by an older man.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The characters all seem a bit too archetypical (the gay farm boy, the rich girl who feels unloved by her mother) but because the stories are written in verse, the pages turn quickly. The details are gritty and gripping: Mature readers and Hopkins fans will likely be drawn in, but sensitive readers will find the raw material overwhelming and will likely need some parental guidance.  

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication date: August 25, 2009
Number of pages: 640
Hardcover price: $18.99
Read Aloud: 14
Read Alone: 14

This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Everyone of Ellen Hopkins books is outstanding. Tricks really does go there; this book really only describes reality. I think parents should suggests books like Hopkins' because it truly does describe wrong paths to go down and their consequences. It can teach teenagers to make better choices, and how the wrong people in your life can misguide them, be decieving, or how prostitution will almost always lead to depression.

 
live the life you've dreamed

 
great book for teens
im soon goin to be able to get thsi book what i heard bout it so far is great ill comment after i read. :)

 
Well there arent any role models, and the content is graphic. Hopkins has drawn me into every book she has written and this one is no different. It says 14 plus and I strongly disagree. If you are mature enough to handle the content it is an incredible book. If youre not, dont read this book. There is talk of sex from chapter one. It is a hard book to put down and I would recomend it to readers who are expierenced with Hopkins's work. If you are a new reader to Ellen Hopkins, start with Burned, Implulse, Crank, or Identical. They are better books to introduce one to this author. In all I completely loved this book, but it is certainly not for everyone.

 
Tricks review
The book in the inside cover says ages 14 and up it is a little iffy for a 14 year old. My 13 year old dauhgter read it and she is a very mature reader but she even thought it was iffy and, I even read the book. The author Ellen Hopkins is trying to teach teens about teen prostation. The book reflects off real life and shows what some teens go through each day.

whyhellomister144
teen, 16 years old
 
Fabulous :)
NOT for the weak hearted. Plenty of graphic issues that can be very disturbing. That being said.....if you think you can handle this content, it really is a fascinating book that deserves a read.

GreysonGirl98
teen, 13 years old
 
Don`t read it.
I read this because my sister had it. I found it disturbing and completely inappropriate. Do NOT let you`re kids read this book. Horrific.

mikaylaaa
teen, 18 years old
 
perfect for teens.
well kids these days start doing drugs at an early age,especially when they hit the teen age. So if they read books like these, hopefully they can realize drugs is the wrong path to go down and they can choose the right path.

EmilyB123
teen, 15 years old
 
This is yet another book that younger kids probably wouldn't understand very well. A lot of sex is involved to and language is definitely not mild.

ZeeBuhRuh
teen, 16 years old
 
This is a great book. It's very informative about drugs, prostitution, and despair. Ellen Hopkins is an amazing author, and I commend her on telling it like it is. Don't like what she's writing? Deal with it, because it's reality. On a side note, I found it rather disturbing even though I'm fifteen, considering the desperate situations the characters are in, and no one under fourteen or fifteen should read this novel.

LaDiDaDi
teen, 16 years old
 
So Good Great Teen Read
Its such a good book. Teenagers should really read this book

tofukungfu
teen, 16 years old
 
Love it.
Love this book, probably my favorite of Hopkins'! Very intense. A quick, exciting read.

 
Open Minded
I think its a wonderful book. Because in a way i relate to it. Its a great way to give a teen something that they can relate to and see how she(Ellen Hopkins) had that character deal with the issue. It gives a better understanding of what people feel in these situations. Granted the book is graphic, but so is the life stories that some kids actully go through. Children are s e x u a l l y a b u s e d , r a p e d, and some parents dont care about their children because of their drug addiction. Theres talk about being gay or a "f a g " in this book. Because strictly its exsistant, their are people who are in fact homosexual, I think that children shouldnt be cut off from the truth. Age 12 is around when alot of these things start occuring in girls heads I dont know about boys. If you want a better understanding read the book with an open mind not with a closed thats why alot of people think this book is horrible.

LexiLyric
teen, 15 years old
 
Very good, be mature
It's really good, I'm 15, but I'm mature. I understand sex is not a joke and that the characters are making horrible choices. It's important to know if the person reading this is mature it's okay to read. I like these types of books but I wouldn't suggest them for anyone who is any younger.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age