Hopkins' wildly popular novels in verse have covered a wide range of topics, from drug abuse to eating disorders. Here she focuses on faith, through the voice of cynical high-school senior Matthew Turner, whose gay younger brother was bullied into suicide. As the marriage of his alcoholic parents dissolves, Matt turns to his beautiful and very religious girlfriend, Hayden, but finds her pulling away, drawn to her church youth group's dynamic young minister. Secondary characters and plot elements bring in the hot topic of gun control, and the violent climax returns the focus to faith and spirituality. Though set in a small, rural Oregon town, Hopkins' novel taps into common themes of contemporary teen life, with dialogue and details that will speak to teens everywhere. The resolution is tidy and hurried, but Hopkins' many fans won't complain, finding catharsis and comfort in her portrayal of teens facing and surviving myriad societal problems. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Fans wait eagerly for the next Hopkins book, and this one will be no exception.

I'm pacing. A big ol' / simmering pot of pissed. / I consciously lower / my boiling point / before I detonate.

Hopkins again tackles hot-button subjects through free verse, taking on cyberbullying, censorship, the role of religion, and the difficulties of veterans returning from war. At the center of her overstuffed but well-constructed story is smart, opinionated 18-year-old Matt, who is struggling with anger and a disintegrating family following the suicide of his gay younger brother, Luke. Matt leans on his girlfriend, Hayden, for support, while raging against her religion and the evangelical Christians whose bullying he blames for Luke-s death. When Hayden-s father tries to get the school board to remove copies of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Matt counters that -Maybe if the kids who drove over the brink had read the right books, they would-ve understood that being gay doesn-t make you bad or even different.- A violent twist very late in the story leaves Matt with new, life-altering challenges-something that he makes peace with rather suddenly, given the circumstances. Still, Hopkins expertly documents Matt-s increasing ability to accept and love others in his life, and eventually himself. Ages 14-up. Agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Aug.)

Gr 9 Up-Matt's gay brother Luke committed suicide because he couldn't take the bullying any more. Matt blames everyone for his brother's death: his friends, his dysfunctional parents, and the middle school teachers and counselors who did nothing to halt the torment Luke experienced daily. The protagonist's temper is perpetually balanced on a knife's edge, and it takes very little to push him into a rage. Matt's only peace comes when he is with his girlfriend, Hayden. However, she seems to be pulling away to spend more time with God and her youth group, many members of whom were Luke's worst bullies. Matt has no faith in an imaginary deity and no forgiveness for those who used their theology to justify their abuse of his brother. His hatred is eating him up inside, but he can't let it go or he'll have to confront the real reason for his anger. Hopkins's latest novel in verse is timely and poignant. Matt is a wonderfully faceted character that readers will alternately sympathize with and dislike. His actions are directly related to his emotional turmoil, and teens will understand his pain and admire his intellect, even while shaking their heads over his actions. The work doesn't gloss over uncomfortable or difficult topics. Hopkins's realistic, truthful approach to bullying, religion, and homosexuality make this a powerful story for even the most reluctant readers. Heather Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

Matthew's life has spiraled out of control ever since bullying led to his gay brother's suicide. Unable to reconcile how Christians can express a love of God while being so hateful toward others with differences, Matthew cannot find much hope. A strained relationship with his girlfriend, who is influenced by her pastor father and the new youth minister, has Matthew questioning everything. As his parents' marriage disintegrates, Matthew can only find solace in the arms of his old friend Alexa and at his uncle's shooting range, until a deranged patron sets off a bomb and Matthew is caught in the crossfire, an experience which leads him along the path of understanding.Hopkins is well known for her ability to address difficult situations with skill and sensitivity, and this novel is no exception. The free verse is the perfect form to capture the intense emotions Matthew feels, many of which will connect with a wide audience of teens. However, the plot progression of this story is less than perfect, with unconnected pieces such as a book-banning sequence, and sudden changes in character motivation, such as when Matthew's mother cannot face the breakup of her marriage but then quickly moves on to a new life. Additionally, while they are most likely well thought out, many of the line breaks which should put emphasis on words and thoughts seem arbitrary, especially when they end in prepositions or adjectives. Fans of Hopkins and those who will find solace in Matthew's journey, however, will certainly connect with this novel.Rachel Wadham.