Ellen Hopkins

              I am personally a huge fan of Ellen Hopkins. Ever since I read Crank, I made it my goal to read all of her books. So far I have read all of her books except for Identical, which I'm reading right now. In this book there are only two characters, Kaeleigh and Raeanne.They are twin sisters who have everything. Everything except the love from their parents they crave for. They used to be a happy family that is until their father started drinking. One day they went out for a drive when they got into a car accident. That's when their mother stopped loving him and the twins. Then the family separated and they barely talk to each other now.
             I think that Ellen Hopkins is a genius. Her books are all about teenagers making huge mistakes. For example, most of her books have to do with drugs, smoking, and sex. When I read her books they have me on the edge of my seat. It's like I'm addicted to them like her characters are addicted to whatever drug they're doing. What I think is very interesting is that she writes her books in poem vignettes. Also with the poems she makes these cool designs that have to do with the book or the specific part of the book.
             Anyways, Ellen Hopkins is an amazing author and I recommend her books to anyone and everyone. I don't think that her books are specifically made for any gender. But they are made for pre- adolescents and teenagers.                

Coolness, Popularity

            Currently I am reading the book So Yesterday by Scott Westerfield. It is about a boy named Hunter and his firend Jen. They are both part of the "cool pyramid". Jen is an Innovator, she is at the top of the pyramid always creating the new fashion when the recent one starts to fade away. Hunter is a trend setter, he is at the second slot available in the pyramid. His job is to spot what's in trend by taking pictures with his always one step ahead cellphone. This book is a mystery but it has made me think, What is cool?
            Merriam Wester's Dictionary's definition of cool is "...to not be friendly...". My definition of cool would be the people who are themselves and live life the way they want to. Nowadays in the 21st century, the cool people are the ones who can get their hands on some of the drugs or the ones who hang out with the jocks and cheerleaders. Some people think of being cool or popular as a must. Jen and Hunter see it as a job and as a way to be one step ahead of everybody else.            
            Truth is this book reminds me of school and its social pyramid. There are the people at the top that are super popular and get invited to all these parties and know people all over New York City. A typical stereotype includes all of the jocks and cheerleaders which isn't always true. Then are the people that are usually running for student council and the people who win class president are usually the leaders of this group. Next on the list are the class clowns and the ones who want the spotlight on them 24/7. After that are the wanna-bes. These are the people who try to hard to get everybody to like them. They have no friends and if they do then they're not their real friends because usually they're talking behind each others backs. After that are the ones who are video game addicts and the ones who simly don't care where they are or who they are seen with.

Me, I'm not popular but I'm also not a video game addict. I have all the friends I need to leave school this year with great friendships.