#1 - Tricks - Ellen Hopkins

Tricks is a bold novel depicting the lives of five teenagers from different parts of the U.S., each struggling with difficult personal issues. The characters face challenges like homelessness, prostitution, drug addiction and abuse. Through a series of interconnected stories told from the perspective of the different characters, Tricks reveals how their lives intersect, shaped by the choices they make and the dark realities they face.

The book highlights the harsh effects of life’s struggles, specifically while in the throes of growing up and the resilience and hope that often comes with falling down and taking a leap of faith.