Review: Perfect

Perfect
By Ellen Hopkins
Expected publication September 13, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry

Cara, whose twin brother is undergoing psychiatric care after a suicide attempt, begins to understand his struggles as she comes to some realizations about herself...Kendra, who used to date Cara's twin, now wanting to do anything it takes to have the perfect body...Sean, in love with Cara, desperate to succeed in baseball, willing to choose illegal paths...Andre, under pressure from his parents, longing to be a dancer, falling for a girl who needs more help than he can offer...

Told in Hopkins' signature style, this is apparently a companion book to her earlier Impulse; however, it is not necessary to have read that to fully appreciate this one. I don't have much to say about this one - I really enjoy all of Hopkins' books. She knows how to create compelling characters with complex plots, all told wonderfully through poetry. They are quick and easy reads, dealing with the tough issues that teens find most interesting. For me, this is not her strongest - Andre doesn't really seem to fit into this story and his plotline is not as compelling as the others. However, it is always great to get lost in a Hopkins' novel - I can't wait to read her adult debut (I have an ARC sitting in my living room!). Additionally, she was a delight to meet.

Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.