ParentsPick

Impulse — Content Guide for Parents

By Ellen HopkinsTurtleback2008-05-20ISBN 9780606125970665 pages
Impulse

Themes present

Violence
Scary content
Religious themes
Profanity
Sexual identity
LGBTQ+ themes

Not found

Racial/cultural contentClimate changeGender roles

Content themes

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

Sometimes you don't wake up. But if you happen to, you know things will never be the same.

Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide.

Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade.

Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills.

And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself.

In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Impulse appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book includes instances of violence, including characters who have attempted suicide and one who has committed murder. The depiction of violence is significant, with one protagonist dying violently. The book is described as gritty and realistic, dealing with heavy themes such as suicide and mental health issues, which may be distressing for some readers. It is recommended for mature teens only.

  • Does Impulse have violence?

    The book includes instances of violence, including characters who have attempted suicide and one who has committed murder. The depiction of violence is significant, with one protagonist dying violently.

  • Does Impulse have scary content?

    The book is described as gritty and realistic, dealing with heavy themes such as suicide and mental health issues, which may be distressing for some readers. It is recommended for mature teens only.

  • Does Impulse have religious themes?

    The book touches on themes related to religion, including a quote that suggests a critical view of how faith can be perverted by organized religion. This indicates a critical stance towards religious institutions, although specific religious affiliations are not detailed.

  • Does Impulse have racial/cultural content?

    No explicit themes of racism or discussions of race are detected in the search results.

  • Does Impulse have profanity?

    The book features a significant amount of profanity, including strong language such as 'fucking' and other explicit terms.

  • Does Impulse have climate change?

    No themes related to climate change or environmentalism are detected in the search results.

  • Does Impulse have sexual identity?

    The book contains discussions of sexual themes, including some kissing and references to sex and abortion. It addresses the complexities of teenage sexuality and relationships.

  • Does Impulse have gender roles?

    No specific themes related to traditional gender roles or modern feminism are identified in the search results.

  • Does Impulse have lgbtq+ themes?

    The book features a character named Tony who struggles with his sexuality, identifying as gay. The narrative includes themes of identity and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, although some reviews suggest that the portrayal may include stereotypes or negative framing.