Ellen Hopkins latest book, Smoke, is a sequel to her bestselling novel, Burned.  The issues tackled in both books include abuse, relationships, and religious extremism.  Smoke’s powerful storyline is brought out through the lives of two sisters, miles apart but in some ways expressing the same emotions.  They search for the positive while being trapped in a disastrous environment.

Approximately six years after Burned was published Hopkins decided to write Smoke as closure for her readers.  The heroines are Pattyn von Stratten and her sister Jackie who must tackle physical, emotional, and psychological abuses brought about by their father. Pattyn is now on the run, the suspect of a murder investigation, while Jackie is still entrapped in her family’s household. Although Smoke has powerful revelations it is much more of an adventure story than Burned. Yet, both novels have subject matters that are very mature. 

Hopkins noted, “My readers are of all ages from pre-teen to adult so a parent can read it along with their child.  The subjects are pretty hard-hitting and not juvenile.  I think these books are a good way to open the door of communication.  I hope it leads to a discussion between parents and their young adult children. Let’s remember young adults have to face these issues of sex, alcohol, drugs, violence, and abuse. I provide concrete examples through fictional characters.  I want my readers to try to understand why a certain decision was made at a certain point in time. I want to show in my stories choices and the outcomes of those choices.”

Both plots are centered on the Latter Day Saint Church, Mormons. Although Mormonism does play a negative role in both books, the important storyline is the dysfunctional family where the sisters must endure abuse and its inevitable isolation.  Hopkins noted, “For me, it is about a dysfunctional family who happens to be Mormon.  I did do hours of research on why people left the Church and decided to have my character blaming her religion for her circumstances.  However, I could have used other religions as well.”

What makes this author’s books stand out from others is her form of writing, that of narrative prose. With it she creates yearnings and emotions that are relatable to teenage girls.  Hopkins explained, “I was a poet anyway and was influenced by Sonya Sones.  It is something I experimented with and found that my readers loved it.  For me, it is a powerful way to tell a story.  Depending on the situations and the moods that I want to get across I use different forms of poetry.”

The most insightful parts of both books are Hopkins’ scenes of abuse.  She is hoping “children understand they cannot wait but must stand up right away since it never gets any better.  Pattyn is frustrated with her mother because she is basically a baby-making machine and keeps quiet about the abuse. Eventually it was passed on to the daughters who resented their mother for not protecting herself and them.  The central theme of both books is that staying silent has horrible consequences.”

Hopkins also gave a heads up about her next books.  Tangled comes out this spring and is about falling in love with a psychopath.  It is based on a three-year relationship the author had with someone who presented themselves as very charming.  Next September, Rumble will be published.  In this book the theme is belief versus non-belief where the main character is an atheist who is in love with an Evangelical Christian. She is hoping readers question if it is possible to have a relationship with someone who has divergent opinions other then their own.

Ellen Hopkins has written many best selling novels delving into problems that young adults face today, with Burned and Smoke continuing in that storyline.   The issues presented in these books are important and worthy of discussion.  Hopkins uses her skills in narrative prose to create a powerful story that will keep the reader riveted.