Your Not so Average Life

By Makayla F.

From multiple ways of broadcasting your life in a nonchalant way is the form of writing author Ellen Hopkins uses. From at least ten books portraying the not so average life of hers the book Fallout is by far my favorite. The author brings together very descriptive and flamboyant images to mind. The book is about 3 different teenagers all facing the same problem. Their mother had abandoned them for the monster. When I talk about the monster I don't just mean fictional character that hide under your bed, I mean the cold hard drugs that have the name Crack Cocaine, or Crystal Meth. Kristina Georgia Snow was the excuse of a mother to her kids Hunter Seth Haskins, Autumn Rose Shepherd, and Summer Lily Kenwood.

At first, with all different last names you would assume she got married three different times, and had kids with each and every one of them, but you’re wrong. She just traveled around, present day you would call her the name of a garden tool that is used to break up soil. Hunter Seth Haskins was a nineteen year old boy who had to deal with the consequences of birth defects from his mother. He was her first born child and ended up having his “supposed” grandparents as actual parents. Kristina's mother gave them complete custody of Hunter and he lived in their house and followed their rules.

Autumn Rose Shepherd is Kristina's second eldest child. She lives with her Aunt Cora and grandfather in Texas. She has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and thats what plays a big role in her life. Trey is her father who is in State Prison in Nevada. He had a one time thing with Kristina and ended up conceiving Autumn. Aunt Cora ended up receiving full custody of her when she was just two years old due to her parents both going to prison for the monster.

Summer Lily Kenwood is Kristina's third eldest daughter. Unfortunately she has no idea about Hunter or Autumn, or even her two younger brothers. Summer has a hard time coping with the small family, exceptionally her fathers abusive girlfriend. She's gone through multiple foster homes and when the doubt and loneliness finally overwhelms her she teeters on the edge of her mother's notorious legacy..

Fallout is meant to show that each character in the book is longing for real love and a true family. They all end up finding themselves being pulled toward to one person, who leads them all together, their mother, the addict. This book shows the true meaning of the difference between love and lust. Three children, all different fathers, and raised but none the less the parents of their mother.

If you like books that relate to realistic fiction Fallout by Ellen Hopkins is a good choice. These books portray a real life situation that only exists in a fictional story. Of course this book is in a series which is the fourth book. The first book is known as Crank, the second one is known as Glass. Reading the first two books with help you get an idea of what the third and final book is about. I could read these books over and over, front cover to back cover and never get bored. Her sophisticated way in writing the book in a poem like manner is what intrigued to me read the words in the middle. I am currently reading one her other books not connected to the series, but it is known as Identical. You should check them out.