‘Crank’-ing Out the Truth: Ellen Hopkins on Bans and Saving Lives

Ellen Hopkins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 14 young adult novels, 2 middle-grade novels, and 4 adult novels, with over 5.2 million books in print. Known for her gripping verse novels that tackle complex themes like addiction, mental health, and abuse. Hopkins' works are widely celebrated but also frequently censored. Four of her novels (Crank, Burned, Glass, and Tricks) were named among the top 100 banned and challenged books from 2010 to 2019 by the American Library Association. Her books have faced bans in schools and libraries nationwide, including a high-profile ban in Utah’s Alpine School District in 2022 under laws targeting "sensitive materials." Despite this, Hopkins remains a powerful voice for young readers, using her platform to advocate for freedom of expression and the value of tackling tough subjects in literature.visit her website: http://www.ellenhopkins.com