Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I loved this book, but I'm not sure how young of teenagers I think it'd be appropriate for...what do you guys think?

not sure....never know...

These things really happen...to teenagers...young teenagers. Why nt let teens read about it?

i dont really think there is necessarily an age thats appropriate for this book. i really think it depends on the person/maturity level

Who freaking cares. It should be their decision what they want to read. Say they call this an 'adult' book, SO WHAT. They can still go to the library and check it out of the Adult section, so what's the difference????? I just think it's total bullshit that now people want to control what another person reads, when why do you care enough?

geez, I didn't really think that my idle speculation amounted to suggesting a torch-lit raid on the library...chill out. and, I'm pretty sure that the difference is that children are not allowed to check out adult books at the library, at least directly w/o parental permission.

i loved this book, i cant wait till ellen hopkins makes more her stories are a wonderfuly written

I think books about teens should be read by teens, no matter the subject matter.Even if a book talks about sex or drugs or loosely uses profanity.Some if not most teens can relate to these out of control characters and at the same time they give teens who can't relate a look at what their lives could be like if they fell into bad behavior.

perhaps it just bothered me b/c, unlike w/ crank- where things did NOT turn out okay- everything in tricks turned out okay except for, what, one character? maybe I think she should have showed better how- even if they're rescued- it'll never be okay again...but I already feel like I oughta be telling some kids to "get off my lawn!" for even starting this topic, so I concede that I'm just most likely wrong...

im in 7th grade and i read it its fine you worry bout you. u dont need to worry about who else reads it ellen hopkins wrote those books for eveyon jeeze

I say high school students and up... but it might be good for some middle schoolers to read it...

Katrina wrote: "im in 7th grade and i read it its fine you worry bout you. u dont need to worry about who else reads it ellen hopkins wrote those books for eveyon jeeze"

jeez, did you even bother to read the comment right above your own? and, no, she did not write those books for everyone- in fact, she did not write them for children your age...

Kirby wrote: "Katrina wrote: "im in 7th grade and i read it its fine you worry bout you. u dont need to worry about who else reads it ellen hopkins wrote those books for eveyon jeeze"

jeez, did you even bother ..." yeah she did and its too late i already read it so what are u going to do about it?

I think that about six grade or seventh would be fine depending on the Kid. I brought sevral of her books to shool and lent them to my friends a parent coplined and i was asked not to bring them to school but that parent was just trying to shelter her child from any refrance to sex which is insane. Children need to read this and ellen Hopkins handles the subject so well.

I wasn't mature enough to read this in middle school. I would have been giggling and pointing to the cuss words to my friends. That's just me, though. It depends on the kid.

It's hard to say what's appropriate for an age. When my little sister asks to borrow my books, I usually have to think about it, factoring in her personal level of maturity and the subjects of the book in question. Frankly, there are some subjects that children of a certain age really can't understand. She was 11 when she read Breaking Dawn, and said she was confused by the honeymoon scene (awkward moment). I keep in mind that that doesn't stop her from reading the books; most the books I didn't let her borrow, she read at a friend's house.

I also think it's silly to shelter kids from uncomfortable subjects (like suicide, sex, and drugs). I'm a junior in high school and many of my friends aren't allowed to read Harry Potter (witchcraft element) and Twilight (inappropriate). Sometimes, their parents go to ridiculous lengths to "protect" them. One girl's parents had her library privileges removed because she checked out a book her parents didn't approve of.

appropriate?

if you have to ask this question you have not read Ellen Hopkins other books. Ellen Hopkins is a very bold writer. She writes novels so raw and heart-felt other author's would't dare to write. Thats why i love her books.

Josie wrote: "I think that about six grade or seventh would be fine depending on the Kid. I brought sevral of her books to shool and lent them to my friends a parent coplined and i was asked not to bring them to..."

I Agree with ya :) about how Ellen Handles the topic's well and all.

It depends on the kid. I read this as a freshman and I was just fine with the content. Except, call me hypersensitive, but the scene with the gay threesome disturbed me deeply. I asked my friends' opinions on that page and they had even more severe reactions than I did. I think that before you read this book, whoever you are, you should read another Ellen Hopkins book before this one so that you are somewhat prepared for the raw and explicit points in this novel.

Michelle wrote: "It depends on the kid. I read this as a freshman and I was just fine with the content. Except, call me hypersensitive, but the scene with the gay threesome disturbed me deeply. I asked my friends' ..."

good point that this one probably shouldn't be the first of hers that you read.

I read this book in eighth grade. Yes, it was disturbing, but factual

It depends on the person and how they handle the theme's in this book. I'm totally fine with all of the disturbing content in all of Ellen's books, in fact i LOVE her books. they're raw,strait forward, and poetic in a way.
Like i said it really depends on the person and his/her mindset.

I think books about teens should be able to be read by teens. I mean kids now days are starting to have sex, do drugs, and swear younger and younger. Teens need to know that the stuff written in these books is possible and happen all the time. Although it may be a stretch it could help with the 'bully' issues in schools and help the 'don't judge a book by its cover' thing. Don't judge people and all that. These books are eye openers to what happens in the world.

also age wise it depends on the maturity level of the individual..

when teens are exposed to the raw truth of reality, they are more likely to do the right thing.

Sydney wrote: "I think books about teens should be able to be read by teens. I mean kids now days are starting to have sex, do drugs, and swear younger and younger. Teens need to know that the stuff written in th..."

So true. I mean, this isn't anything different we as teens hear on an every day basis. Someone could want to do this for the glory, but by reading, they'll make the right choice because they know this is the unbearable truth.

The book isnt like pornographic but its not a disney movie. If you arent shy or uncomfortable when sex or drugs is mentioned then go for it. I think its a very open look into love lust and sexuality without being sleazy. perfect in my opinion.

Some of my friends think her YA books are too much( because if the sex and drugs) but they talk about real problems that teenagers should know about. However, I don't really recommend to read her adult books, I read triangles and it was even waaaaay too much for me.

I loved tricks, was the first book that I ever read of Ellen Hopkins!

I have truly enjoyed all of ellen Hopkins' books..I love her writing g style!

I loved Tricks I think Ellen Hopkins really writes about stuff that matters and teens should be aware of these things and what happens to people who become involved in activities that can lead you down a dark path. Her books are incredible and I cannot wait for Smoke to come out! :)

I liked tricks alot. It may be appropriate to some people and inappropriate to others. It depends on how how you take ot and how you react to it. For me i thought it was appropriate because i can handle ths and reading othr types of books lik ths.^_^Â¥_Â¥

This was the first Ellen Hopkins book I bought. I had read Burned before at my local library, but Tricks contained a lot more sexual content and introduced me to a lot of aspects of prostitution that I had never heard of nor considered as a privileged 15 year old white girl.

I remember feeling ashamed of owning this book and hiding it in a box in my closet for years, afraid of what my parents would thing. I was scared that they would find it inappropriate and now that my 15 year old little sisters friends are reading Ellen Hopkins books my first instinct is to shield them from reading them, despite the fact that she is one of my favourite authors.

Part of me doesn't want my siblings to know all the dark treacherous things that exist in the world, but it would be foolish of me to shelter them like this for much longer. It's important for young people to learn about substance abuse, sexual abuse and other topics found in Hopkin's books. These beautifully written stories of the consequences of abuse have a much more effective impact than simply telling teens "don't do drugs",and "don't sell your body".

It's a great book and teens deserve the opportunity to read it.

It's not so much a question of whether they should be "allowed" to read it. Everyone who says kids should be allowed to read not-so-pretty things is absolutely correct. These things exist and kids should know they do. The question as to when to read a book like this should be centered on whether the person in question is capable of understanding it fully. Anyone can see that it's terrible that these teenagers have to sell themselves for money, but to get to the underlying problems (not just, oh she came from a bad family and had no money so she had to) does require a certain maturity, which comes with age. Reading this when you are not ready will not have disastrous consequences, but you will not get all that you could have out of it.

I think that it depends on the individual. One person might be able to handle the themes in the book better than another. I think also that it depends on if it will be discussed (like a classroom or book club) because that has a lot to do with it. You can't just toss this to anyone and tell them to read it because "its a good book". This really should be discussed and open for anyone who read this.

Mikayla wrote: "appropriate?

if you have to ask this question you have not read Ellen Hopkins other books. Ellen Hopkins is a very bold writer. She writes novels so raw and heart-felt other author's would't dare..."

I agree with this entirely. I think she takes things to a really raw and tough place, and I can't help but love her novels.

Its a really important subject that needs to be talked about. This is something that gets swept under the rug or simply ignored, because its a touchy subject. I read it when I was 14 and it really made me aware of what happens to teenagers like this everyday. Its not trashy or tastless, nor does it glorify prostitution. Its raising awareness. Its not pretty, but teenage prostitution is not a pretty thing. I think anyone who is old enough to comprehend the subject matter should read this book.

I believe this book is okay for matured teenagers to read it. I am 17 and checked the book out of my school library. yes, it is vulgar and nasty but it is so true and can really open the eyes of narrow minded people of all ages. learning about the troubles other, YOUNGER, teenagers go through are a resource to the society of knowledge today. It all depends on how much the child has experienced and how much they actually know about. This book shocked me even though I am aware of all of the inappropriate things that go on in the plot of the story.

From all Ellen Hopkins books this is my favorite. It is very incredible how one thing can lead to the other in a teenage life. I believe Tricks is more than an appropriate book to teach teens that danger is out there and to always think twice before making any type of choices because one choice can impact your life for ever.

Aileen wrote: "From all Ellen Hopkins books this is my favorite. It is very incredible how one thing can lead to the other in a teenage life. I believe Tricks is more than an appropriate book to teach teens that ..."

THAT WAS A GREAT WAY TO EXPRESS YOUR THOUGHTS ON 'TRICKS.' I TOTALLY AGREE THAT THIS IS THE BEST "TEACHING" BOOK OF ELLEN'S.

Is it appropriate? Well, for whom? Im a high school librarian in a small town and I am barely comfortable with this one on my shelves. Can most of my students handle it? Yes. Would their parents be happy about them reading it? Not necessarily. I wouldnt give this to a middle schooler but if a parent thought her child was mature enough to read it, then by all means let them.

I grew up in a world where i was no longer a true child by four but only had moments where i felt like one from that point on by 14 i knew what someone withdrawing from heroin sounded like. I think it very much depends on the person what is appropriate for them. In an ideal world yes this book would be too mature for teens but our world is far from ideal.