“Why push to attain an ideal state of being that no two random people will agree?” Ellen Hopkins’ newest young adult novel discusses the lives of four teenagers on the brink of graduating high school who are pushed to be perfect. Sexuality, eating disorders, racism, and drug abuse are all topics that Hopkins discusses in order to bring attention to the types of pressure that young adults are placed under.

Hopkins has already published seven other books that address issues not freely discussed by teenagers. Her novels are riveting and at times emotionally difficult to read, but are always worth the discomfort. “Perfect” was meant to be another novel that opened eyes, but it was difficult to relate to the four rich kids dealing with their own unique problems.

Cara has a suicidal twin and is pushed to be the best. Over time she beings to question her sexuality. Kendra just wants the mirror to scream “you’re beautiful,” but all she hears is “when are you going to lose those ten pounds?” Sean planned his whole future around Cara, but his anger is getting the best of him. Andre is being pushed to a college he has no desire for, and on top of that is dealing with his white girlfriend’s father’s racist tendencies.

Questioning sexuality, dealing with racism and avoiding drug abuse are always a part of life. However, the rich kids that have to deal with these issues in “Perfect” are not experiencing them under ordinary circumstances. Hopkins’ young adult novel would be more relatable if the kids were ordinary; not every young adult walking into Barnes and Noble is going to be swimming in money like the characters seem to be.

Another disappointment found in the novel is the lack of witty and crafty word play. Her novels usually contain hidden meanings usually found by reading the last word of each sentence or the mini titles displayed at the top of each page. The only craftiness found in the novel would be the mini titles are also found in the last section on the previous page. Any attempt to find buried significance was a letdown.

However, each circumstance presented in the novel is unique and mind opening; Hopkins never fails to address hard topics. The story, despite being difficult to relate to, is still amazing. Each character created by Hopkins is distinctive; the voices of these characters come right out of the pages and tell a different story.

Hopkins is a very talented author who will continue to attract readership, but hopefully her next novel, “Triangles,” will locate her usual craftiness that makes her stand out against other authors.