Ellen Hopkins – American contemporary author, best known for Crank and Impulse. She pioneered the YA verse novel, tackling raw subjects like addiction, abuse, and family trauma. Her candid style brought both bestseller status and frequent censorship, making her one of the most controversial and influential YA authors of her time.
✨ Crank is based on her daughter’s struggle with meth addiction. 📚 Writes novels in free verse, blending poetry with narrative. 💬 Believes “honest words beat silence” when addressing teens. 📖 Her books have sold millions of copies worldwide. 🏆 Honoured for her impact on young adult literature. 🌍 Frequently taught in schools – and often banned there too. 📱 Engages with readers to discuss tough themes openly. 😲 Consistently appears on lists of America’s most banned authors. 🖊 Writes daily, describing it as her therapy. 🙂 Jokes that her verse form lets her “write faster than she can think.”