 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Tricks
- By Ellen Hopkins
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Extremely intense, gritty look at teen prostitutes.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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. :)
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Love it.
Love this book, probably my favorite of Hopkins'! Very intense. A quick, exciting read.
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AGE
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.
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| Author: | Ellen Hopkins |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Margaret K. McElderry |
| Publication date: | August 25, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 640 |
| Hardcover price: | $18.99 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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