Rumble

Rumble by Ellen Hopkins, 546 pages

Told in verse, as all of Hopkins’s books are, this tells the story of Matthew, who has lost not only his faith in God, but faith in most of the human race also.  His brother, Luke, committed suicide a few months ago.  He was being bullied because he was gay.  Matthew blames his parents, the kids at school, and would even blame God, if he believed in God anymore.  But mostly Matthew blames himself for not being there when his brother needed him most.  This is the story of Matt’s journey through this process, including his parents’ marital problems, his problems in his own relationship with his girlfriend, and his struggle with his lack of belief in God.  Give this to teens who like books about issues and who like books in verse.