Review: Impulse

Title: Impulse

Author: Ellen Hopkins

ISBN/Publisher: 978-1-4169-0357-4/Simon Pulse (part of Simon & Schuster)

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary...

Connor, Tony, and Vanessa are three teenagers that have each attempted suicide and now have been brought to the Aspen Springs Psychiatric Hospital. Connor is the rich kid, but fell in love with a person older than him. Tony went to jail after an incident with his mother's abusive boyfriend, and Vanessa is a cutter who struggles with mood changes...just like her bipolar mom. The three teens meet and even become friends. But will their friendships help them get through this part of their lives???

Thoughts...

This was my first book by Ellen Hopkins and it will definitely not be my last. Impulse is such a raw and honest story that tells the lives of three teens. And as sad as the story can get, the writing of Ms. Hopkins' is wonderful with the free verse. Each teen has their own tone and it is very notable which makes the individual narrators more real. 

Connor, Tony, and Vanessa are teenagers that can be found everywhere in the world and it is important that their stories are heard in today's society. Impulse brings attention to topics such as depression and the situations that lead to depressed teens. This is a VERY important book that I suggest parents, teachers, and councilors take notice of. As an adult reading this, I find that other adults can learn from the three main characters and find ways to talk to their students/children. I also find that this book can be helpful to the teenagers out there as well. This will help teens understand that they're not alone in the world and people are out there that want to help even when it feels like the world is out to get you. And for teens who aren't going through similar situations as Connor, Tony, and Vanessa...they'll still learn something. I learned a lot and I even have a better understanding about what goes on in these situations.  

Impulse is one of those stories where I felt sick reading about what happened to these teens.  I cringed at the idea of cutting and the thoughts about sex with minors, but at the same time I found myself wanting to jump into the book to be there for the characters. And when I invest so much time and care for characters of a book...you know it's a must read!

Favorite Quotes...

I wonder if they give everyone Prozac on their twice daily med deliveries. Do they actually try to diagnose first, or do they think everyone is depressed, just by virtue of being here? pg. 20

Stories about Daddy are the stuff movies are made of. pg. 272

Everyone's afraid of everybody else...maybe because we're all afraid of ourselves. pg. 468

"Sometimes loving someone means letting them go."[...] Love means holding on to someone just as hard as you can because if you don't, one blink and they might disappear forever. pg. 596

She's incredible, not that she's perfect. But you once said imperfections create character. She's got character all right. pg. 607

Impulse is a great book! So don't be like me and let it sit in your to be read pile. Pick it up now and read!!!

(This book was bought at a store called FullyBooked) 

 Rating

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea or because Julie is our guest from Bloggers [heart] Books, grab her fave hot chocolate (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***