Tricks

Book review by Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media
Tricks Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Extremely intense, gritty look at teen prostitutes.

Ellen Hopkins Coming of Age 2009
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 14 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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.

Community Reviews

zeldromc
zeldromc Adult
June 9, 2017
age 16+

Tragic Beauty

This book has a lot of intense language and sex as well as abuse and addiction. It teaches teens how easy it is to get pulled into a life of prostitution and addiction. Giving them these tragic stories, that will be on their minds for the rest of their lives. now I much say its not for everyone . I would say it targets mature teens.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Sarabeth_Sarbear
Sarabeth_Sarbear Adult
December 13, 2011
age 16+

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.
See all 5 parent reviews

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Book Details

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