Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

Karen Payne

Rumble – By Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins' creatively and honestly traverses the minefields of adolescence, gender identity, relationships, and faith, in her sequel to her own bestsellers: Crank, Burned, and Impulse - to name just a few. In her highly acclaimed novel, 'Rumble', Hopkins reveals heartbreaking truths about teen relationships and sexual identity. She identifies the fears, insecurities, and challenges, shared by numerous teens during their tumultuous journey into adulthood.

'Rumble' focuses specifically on Matt, a depressed, social 'misfit', who is struggling to make sense of his gay brother's suicide, his feelings for his girlfriend Hayden and their mutual friend Alexa, his atheist views of the Church and God, and his own family's methodical, yet perhaps predictable, path of self-destruction. Hopkins skillfully highlights the most inner, private thoughts, of transitioning teens, and in doing so, leaves the main character, Matt, exposed, and isolated, to very stereotypical family and community prejudices. Hopkins highlights how certain prejudices, biases, and misconceptions, can lead to tragic consequences and often preventable outcomes. 'Rumble' offers an honest, soul-searching, and tragic look into the misunderstood, and misconceived, world of gay and lesbian teens struggling to make sense of their own identities, and their relationships with others. Good reading for teens and young adults seeking to find their own selves in a world where nothing seems to makes sense.