Burned
Transcript: Burned By: Ellen Hopkins Fiction, romantic Pattyn - As the main character, seventeen year old Pattyn goes to live with her aunt to escape the abusive household she is being raised in. Derek - Pattyn's first boyfriend Pattyn's Father - An alcoholic and abusing father, but also a strong Mormon. Jackie - Pattyn's younger sister, the second oldest, and the closest to Pattyn. Aunt Jeanette - Pattyn's understanding and forgiving aunt who Pattyn is sent to live with for the summer. Ethan - A boy who goes to UC Davis in Nevade, is introduced to Pattyn by her aunt. Kevin - Ethan's dad and Aunt J's close friend. Pattyn Von Stratten grew up as a strong Mormon in an abusive household with her alcoholic father. He believes that the only role women have in society is to bear children for their husband and carry on the family name. After having seven girls, Pattyn's mother finally becomes pregnant with a boy. Tired of living the way her parents want her to, Pattyn begins dating Derek behind their back. After being caught with him by her father, Derek breaks up with her for another girl. Out of rage, Pattyn punches the girl and breaks a window in the school library. To avoid a miscarriage from all of Pattyn's stress, Pattyn's mom and dad send her to live with her Aunt Jeanette for the summer. Pattyn grows fond of her Aunt J, and learns why her aunt is the way she is. One day, Aunt J introduces Pattyn to a boy named Ethan. Pattyn quickly begins to like him. Later, she learns that Aunt J and Ethan's father, Kevin, were high school sweethearts, until Aunt J's brother, Pattyn's dad, threatened him away with a shotgun. Pattyn's mom is usually beat by their father, except when she is pregnant. Pattyn is a stand in for her mother, except for not now that she is gone. She learns in a letter from home, that her father is now beating her younger sister, Jackie. The book kept me going, and I was surprised by everything that happened. It was not predictable to me. The free verse form made it a quick read, and gave it something unique to it. I didn't like how it ended. I was very confused about what happened and what she was doing. I would recommend this book to pretty much any girl. It is interesting and emotional. It would probably not interest most guys. I would give this book five out of five stars. Characters Plot Audience and Rating Strengths and Weaknesses Nevada Setting