(4) YA Raised by an angry, restless father, Ariel is eager to finish high school in one place. Furthermore, Ariel's attracted to both Monica and Gabe and starts exploring her own sexuality. Ariel's story, told in first-person poems, alternates with the diary-entry prose of Maya, a pregnant teen whose quick marriage grows dangerous. A surprise connection links Ariel's life with Maya's in Hopkins's latest gritty melodrama.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA In Tricks, Hopkins gave voice to five teenagers lured into prostitution; in this sequel, each learns to see him or herself as the victim of sex trafficking. Through fears and disappointments, the characters find hope and motivation, and move toward healthier lives. Hopkins's signature free-verse style, frank approach toward addiction and sexuality, and predilection for melodrama are all accounted for.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA "I'm pacing. A big ol' / simmering pot of pissed. / I consciously lower / my boiling point / before I detonate." After his younger brother commits suicide, eighteen-year-old Matthew Turner struggles with grief, anger, faith, forgiveness, and fear of losing anything else, especially control. Told in Hopkins's distinctive gritty free verse, the melodramatic story has an abrupt, dramatic turn that helps Matthew find (fairly pat) peace.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA Mikayla, Shane, and Harley alternate narration as they struggle to find balance amidst poor choices, family issues, and personal crises; snippets from secondary characters add perspective. The issues-laden plot and labyrinthine web of characters is the stuff of soap operas, which older teens may relish. Hopkins's free verse, with thoughtful line breaks and word choices, is by turns poised and visceral.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Three of Kristina Snow's children, Hunter, Autumn, and Summer--all raised in different families--alternate the narration in this novel told through Hopkins's trademark poems. Although each struggles against the legacy of Kristina's meth addiction, a sense of support as the siblings find each other provides hopeful opportunities. Somewhat less melodramatic than Crank and Glass, this third volume ties the trilogy up satisfactorily.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Written in Hopkins's trademark style--largely free-verse poems that make use of broken lines, double columns, linked phrases, and other devices--this hefty volume follows five teenagers as they flee troubled families and fall into prostitution. Each character is sympathetic with an independent voice. As usual, Hopkins's preference for excess (the more vices and victims the better) pushes the tale toward melodrama.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Identical twins Raeanne and Kaeleigh alternate first-person accounts of life in an abusive household. Hopkins's verse-novel style effectively showcases her talent for word choice and form. However, the plot's melodrama verges on exploitation as the girls experience graphically described incest, drug abuse, alcoholism, bulimia, promiscuity, S&M, cutting, suicide, and mental illness. Surprise revelations in the final episodes complicate the conclusion.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 U.S. Armed Forces series. These books about the U. S. armed forces cover a myriad of subjects, but the abbreviated format provides only simplistic information. The double-page spreads are enhanced by photographs and sidebars. Readers and report writers interested in these subjects will likely appreciate this series but will have to find other sources for more substantive information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these U.S. Armed Forces titles: United States Army, U.S. Army Fighting Vehicles, United States Air Force, U.S. Air Force Fighting Vehicles, and U.S. Special Operations Forces.]

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 U.S. Armed Forces series. These books about the U. S. armed forces cover a myriad of subjects, but the abbreviated format provides only simplistic information. The double-page spreads are enhanced by photographs and sidebars. Readers and report writers interested in these subjects will likely appreciate this series but will have to find other sources for more substantive information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these U.S. Armed Forces titles: United States Army, U.S. Army Fighting Vehicles, United States Air Force, U.S. Air Force Fighting Vehicles, and U.S. Special Operations Forces.]

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 U.S. Armed Forces series. These books about the U. S. armed forces cover a myriad of subjects, but the abbreviated format provides only simplistic information. The double-page spreads are enhanced by photographs and sidebars. Readers and report writers interested in these subjects will likely appreciate this series but will have to find other sources for more substantive information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these U.S. Armed Forces titles: United States Army, U.S. Army Fighting Vehicles, United States Air Force, U.S. Air Force Fighting Vehicles, and U.S. Special Operations Forces.]

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Serving Your Country series. These well-organized books offer the opportunity to learn about stunt performer groups that promote the armed forces through public air shows. Each book includes the history and current status of its featured group, along with sometimes fuzzy photos and a list of websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Serving Your Country series. These well-organized books offer the opportunity to learn about stunt performer groups that promote the armed forces through public air shows. Each book includes the history and current status of its featured group, along with sometimes fuzzy photos and a list of websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) YA Great Outdoors series. Flat prose designed for low-level readers introduces each activity, describing the equipment needed, explaining techniques, and providing tips on safety and conservation. Illustrated with dark photos that are sometimes poorly focused, each book in this series includes a recipe (e.g., venison meatballs, gorp), diagrams, and list of animal and plant species. The information is helpful, but the books aren't all that engaging. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Great Outdoors titles: Deer Hunting, Duck Hunting, Fly Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Camping, Hiking.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Great Outdoors series. Flat prose designed for low-level readers introduces each activity, describing the equipment needed, explaining techniques, and providing tips on safety and conservation. Illustrated with dark photos that are sometimes poorly focused, each book in this series includes a recipe (e.g., venison meatballs, gorp), diagrams, and list of animal and plant species. The information is helpful, but the books aren't all that engaging. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Great Outdoors titles: Deer Hunting, Duck Hunting, Fly Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Camping, Hiking.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta