Ellen Hopkins’ books tackle tough subjects. She writes in verse and often focuses on teen characters. Her stories explore addiction, mental health, and family issues with raw honesty.
If you are drawn to authors who write about these kinds of topics, with that kind of intensity, then you might want to check out some other authors. This article lists fifteen authors who explore similar themes in their books.
Adam Silvera writes powerful young adult novels that explore tough realities through authentic, emotional storytelling. If you enjoy Ellen Hopkins’ intense exploration of teenage struggles, consider his book “They Both Die at the End.”
In this story, Mateo and Rufus both receive devastating news: they have only one day left to live. As strangers, they connect through an app designed to help people find companions during their final hours.
Together, the two boys confront their fears, discover unexpected friendships, and begin to truly live for the first time—even as fate closes in. Silvera delivers a heartfelt narrative about love, courage, and the fragile bond shared over a single unforgettable day.
Angie Thomas writes stories that hit hard, with honesty and intensity similar to Ellen Hopkins’ novels.
Her book “The Hate U Give” centers around Starr Carter, a sixteen-year-old who lives between two drastically different worlds: her poor neighborhood and the elite prep school she attends.
After witnessing the police shooting of her childhood friend Khalil, Starr’s carefully separated worlds collide. The novel explores complex questions about racism, injustice, and how communities struggle with grief and anger.
Readers who appreciate Hopkins’ authentic, emotionally raw storytelling will likely connect deeply with Thomas’ work.
Elizabeth Acevedo is an author known for novels in verse that explore teen life, identity, and family dynamics. Readers who enjoy Ellen Hopkins’s emotionally charged narratives may connect deeply with Acevedo’s style.
Her novel “The Poet X” follows Xiomara Batista, a teen from Harlem who navigates the pressures of family expectations, religion, and her own emerging voice. Xiomara discovers slam poetry as a powerful way to express herself and confront the challenges around her.
Acevedo presents Xiomara’s journey through beautiful, raw poetry that reveals the protagonist’s honesty and strength.
If you enjoy Ellen Hopkins’s honest portrayal of teenagers facing tough issues, Laurie Halse Anderson is another author worth reading. Anderson writes realistic fiction about teenagers navigating difficult personal struggles with straightforward honesty.
Her novel “Speak” follows Melinda, a high school freshman who becomes socially isolated after an incident at a summer party.
As Melinda struggles silently through ninth grade, readers gradually learn the truth about what happened and witness her courage as she finds her voice again.
The book deals openly with trauma, anxiety, and the challenging path toward healing, connecting deeply with teens facing their own tough journeys.
If you enjoy Ellen Hopkins’ raw and emotionally intense style, you might appreciate Patrick Ness. Ness is known for thoughtfully crafted stories that explore tough themes through strong and authentic voices.
His book “A Monster Calls” follows Conor, a young boy who struggles to cope with his mother’s serious illness. Conor meets a mysterious monster who visits him at night to tell him stories, offering comfort and truths that are bold, shocking and moving.
Ness handles sensitive topics with honesty and care, a quality readers of Ellen Hopkins can relate to and appreciate.
If you enjoy Ellen Hopkins and her honest portrayals of teen struggles, you might appreciate Jay Asher. His well-known novel, “Thirteen Reasons Why,” is a thoughtful exploration of teenage life and hidden pain.
The story follows Clay Jensen after he discovers tapes left behind by his classmate Hannah Baker, who recently died by suicide. Each tape reveals details about the people and moments that affected her deeply.
It’s a thoughtful book that addresses difficult topics like bullying, loneliness, and the impact our actions can have on others.
Books by Stephen Chbosky often explore issues of adolescence, mental health, and the complexity of family dynamics. His novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” follows the story of Charlie, a sensitive freshman in high school.
Charlie navigates friendship, first love, and troubling memories from his past. Told through letters Charlie writes to an anonymous friend, the book reveals his struggles and triumphs in a sincere and heartfelt way.
The vivid depiction of teen life and emotional honesty will resonate with readers who appreciate Ellen Hopkins’ portrayal of young adults and their difficult journeys.
David Levithan is an author known for his thoughtful stories about teenagers and the struggles they face. His novel “Every Day” introduces us to A, a character who wakes up in a different body each morning.
Each day is a new challenge because A must live someone else’s life for twenty-four hours without getting too attached. But everything changes when A meets Rhiannon and feels a lasting connection to someone for the first time.
Levithan explores questions about identity, love, and finding your place when your world keeps shifting. Readers who enjoy Ellen Hopkins’ realistic portrayals of teen life and complex emotional themes might find Levithan’s characters and ideas deeply engaging.
Readers who enjoy Ellen Hopkins might appreciate Emily X.R. Pan for her emotional depth and honest portrayal of hard-hitting themes. Pan’s novel “The Astonishing Color of After” follows Leigh, a teenage girl grieving the loss of her mother.
Leigh becomes convinced that her mother’s spirit now lives as a beautiful red bird. Guided by memories and the mysterious bird itself, she travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time.
Pan beautifully portrays grief, family bonds, and the need for self-discovery, using touches of magical realism that bring Leigh’s journey vividly to life.
If you enjoy Ellen Hopkins’ powerful novels that explore tough topics through compelling verse, you’ll appreciate Jacqueline Woodson’s heartfelt storytelling. Her book “Brown Girl Dreaming” draws you into a vivid memoir told entirely in verse.
Woodson takes readers back to her childhood as an African-American girl raised between the North and the South during the Civil Rights era. Her poetry beautifully captures the struggles and joys of discovering her identity in a divided America.
The sincere, lyrical style and relatable themes will resonate deeply with anyone who loves how Hopkins portrays life’s complexities through poetic narrative.
Readers who appreciate Ellen Hopkins’ raw and honest narratives might find Jason Reynolds refreshing and just as impactful. Reynolds writes young adult fiction that explores tough realities facing teenagers and offers authentic portrayals of life.
His novel “Long Way Down” follows Will, a teenage boy who grapples with his brother’s sudden death. The entire story unfolds in just sixty seconds—the time it takes for Will to descend seven floors on an elevator ride.
During that brief journey, he encounters figures from his past who confront him about life, grief, revenge, and the devastating impact of violence. Through sharp dialogue and a compelling storyline, Reynolds sheds light on complex emotions and difficult choices teens face today.
Readers who enjoy Ellen Hopkins’ honest and raw storytelling will find common ground in John Green’s novels. Green writes emotionally powerful stories about teenage life, love, and loss.
His book “Looking for Alaska” explores the life of Miles Halter, a teen fascinated with famous last words. At boarding school, Miles meets the fascinating and beautiful Alaska Young. She draws him into her world of pranks, friendship, and risks.
But after a sudden tragedy, Miles tries desperately to understand who Alaska really was and what happened to her. Written with humor, insight, and heart-breaking honesty, “Looking for Alaska” captures the intensity and confusion of growing up.
Kwame Alexander is an author known for novels written in powerful free verse, similar to Ellen Hopkins’ intense storytelling style. His book “The Crossover” focuses on Josh Bell, a gifted basketball player whose confidence extends beyond the court.
Josh experiences everyday challenges at school and home; his twin brother Jordan becomes distant, and their father’s health creates anxieties.
Through rhythmic poetry and vivid sports scenes, Alexander explores friendship, family tensions, and the strength needed to overcome life’s unexpected obstacles.
If you enjoy Hopkins’ realistic characters and emotional storytelling, Alexander’s books offer relatable experiences through their accessible and heartfelt poetry.
Books by Nicola Yoon often explore real-life issues through engaging characters and thoughtful storytelling. Readers who appreciate Ellen Hopkins’ raw, emotional narratives might find “The Sun Is Also a Star” appealing.
The book follows Natasha, a pragmatic girl whose family faces deportation within the day, and Daniel, a poetic young man struggling with parental expectations.
When these two cross paths in New York City, unexpected connections occur, leading to important questions about fate, identity, and love. Nicola Yoon’s honest and heartfelt style captures teenage struggles and joys in a way that fans of emotionally rich novels will appreciate.
If you enjoy Ellen Hopkins’ intense portrayal of teenage struggles and raw emotion, you might also appreciate S.E. Hinton. Hinton captures teenage realities through honest, relatable storytelling.
Her iconic novel, “The Outsiders,” follows Ponyboy Curtis, a young boy caught between two conflicting groups: the Greasers and the Socs. Through Ponyboy’s eyes, readers witness a world divided by social class, violence and friendship.
The story vividly depicts brotherhood, heartbreak and the trials teenagers face daily. Hinton creates a narrative that resonates deeply and feels true to life.