This book is written through the narrative of three teens who are in a psychiatric hospital recovering from attempted suicide. Each teen is dealing with a different home problem contributing to their depression and attempted suicide. Issues such as sexual abuse, neglect, prostitution, parental relationships, and mental illness are all discussed. Connor is a boy from a wealthy family dealing with pressure to be a high achiever, looking for love or connection from his parents, while understanding his past. Tony was raised by his single mother when his father left him when he was young. His mom turned to prostitution, abusive relationships, and drugs. Tony dealt with these issues in an unhealthy way leading to his suicide attempt. Vanessa is being raised by her grandmother while her father is overseas, and her mother is in a hospital because of severe bipolar and depression, along with a failed suicide drug overdose. At the psychiatric hospital the teens are reluctant to speak about their past, especially to a psychiatrist. These teens struggle with finding themselves and take a journey together to see if they are able to live healthy, happy lives. Through this journey they are assigned levels at the hospital that mark what they are allowed to do. The final level before being released from the hospital is a wilderness challenge. The teens must live in the wilderness for 2 weeks while dealing with obstacles along with way. The three teens do this together and the results are quite surprising!
I have enjoyed everything I have read from Ellen Hopkins and Impulse is no exception. I love her writing style. It is written as a diary and poem format and it really is a page turner. The characters have very interesting personalities and interesting backgrounds. Ellen Hopkin’s books are not necessarily known for having happy endings, but I think that makes them real. When dealing with mental disorders, suicide, and drug addiction, there is not always a happy ending. Hopkins writes in a way that is raw and real. I know she wrote her book Crank based on her real life daughter’s addiction with meth. I think her experience in the world of teens and drug addiction helps her write so honestly through this point of view. Impulse is not my favorite Hopkins novel, but I would definitely suggest reading it!
I have enjoyed everything I have read from Ellen Hopkins and Impulse is no exception. I love her writing style. It is written as a diary and poem format and it really is a page turner. The characters have very interesting personalities and interesting backgrounds. Ellen Hopkin’s books are not necessarily known for having happy endings, but I think that makes them real. When dealing with mental disorders, suicide, and drug addiction, there is not always a happy ending. Hopkins writes in a way that is raw and real. I know she wrote her book Crank based on her real life daughter’s addiction with meth. I think her experience in the world of teens and drug addiction helps her write so honestly through this point of view. Impulse is not my favorite Hopkins novel, but I would definitely suggest reading it!