Impulse by Ellen Hopkins is currently one of my favorite free verse books that I have read. Narrated from a drug rehabilitation center, Vanessa, Connor, and Tony share their stories of drug use, child molestation, promiscuity, cutting, and attempted suicide. The love triangle among the three narrating characters is sweet, but Connor struggles with love because he dealt with intense and mature love affairs. Tony struggles with love because he is unsure of his sexuality. Vanessa struggles with love because she had been verbally abused by a former boyfriend. Though the topics are very powerful and some of the descriptions of cutting and abuse are intense, this is a book that keeps the reader interested. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to teenagers and older. The ending caught me by surprise and left me extremely emotional for all the characters having to witness one of the final scenes. #3 Mrs. Staples
