Hopkins, Ellen. Impulse.

HOPKINS, Ellen. Impulse. Simon & Schuster. 666p. c2007. 1-4169-0356-9. $16.99. J

Deciding whether poetry, especially freeform poetry, is good is so subjective. One is tempted to dismiss a thick YA novel written in such a form as pretentious. On the other hand, narrative poetry has a long tradition in English and may appeal to young readers in a way that a page of dense prose might not. This poetry tends to have lines six to eight syllables long and line breaks in inexplicable places. Yet the story becomes intensely compelling. Three teenagers who have tried in various ways for various reasons to commit suicide find themselves committed to a mental hospital: Connor, who, in the manner of Edward Cory, seems to be everyone's definition of a golden boy; Tony, who is convinced he's a homosexual because all he's ever known is abuse; and Vanessa, who cuts herself to find relief from oppressive guilt. In spite of the vast differences between them, the three come together as best friends and perhaps something more. This is the story of their struggle towards mental health and a sense of their own value in the world. Their journey ends on a wilderness camping adventure, which is to be the capstone experience of their treatment. Only two of them make it out alive.

The three voices take turns narrating, each offering a perspective on their pasts and developing relationships. The ending is both sad and a little too satisfactory, sort of like The Breakfast Club in print. Young people will enjoy this book, though. The characters are relevant and interesting and the story gives readers an opportunity to dip below surface appearances. Myrna Marler, Assoc. Prof., BYU, Laie, HI

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.