"Rumble" by Ellen Hopkins

Image courtesy of simonandschuster.com

Hopkins, E. Rumble. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2014. Print. ISBN: 9781442482845. Paperback. $10.99.

Annotation: Ever since Matt Turner’s little brother, Luke, hung himself after being bullied for being gay, Matt has spent a lot of time hating everyone else for their roles in Luke’s suicide. But when his girlfriend starts to distance herself and his parents finally seem to be falling apart, Matt is left alone with himself and has to face the reality of his own guilt and rage at himself.

 

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(Excerpt, page 231)

There are a lot of references in this book story to how some people need books that will speak for them, or to them, and Ellen Hopkins is incredibly talented at doing just that. The book is written in poetry format, so although it looks thick, it reads really quickly. Matt is so incredibly forthright about his anger that you start to hate everyone along with him, but as he grows throughout the book, you can’t help but learn with him, too – about more than rage and hatred, but about forgiveness, hope, love, and finding strength in yourself even when you feel abandoned. 

Literary Awards: 

• IRA Young Adults' Choice
• Nevada Young Reader's Award Nominee 

"Ellen Hopkins is my favorite author of all time, and her books just keep getting better! Rumble is her best yet." - Anastasia, age 14

Watch the official book trailer for "Rumble"!

IRA Young Adults' Choices
Nevada Young Reader's Award Nominee