It was really interesting to see Ellen Hopkins' unique prose-poem writing style with this story. I am familiar with her well-known works such as "Crank" and "Impulse" but while those are traditional YA titles, I felt "What About Will" leaned more towards middle-grade readers and I really appreciated the cohesive character development of Trace and the examinations of different relationships, both familial and otherwise.

I also particularly liked that while this story could arguably be primarily about Trace's older brother, Will, the story is told entirely from Trace's perspective. I think this distinguishes this book from Hopkins' previous works.

Trace adores his big brother Will who changes drastically after an accident during a football game leaves him with a traumatic brain injury. “Will Before” and “Will After” causes a lot of stress in the family. The story takes place a while after the injury and after his parents divorce. Mom can’t handle her life post tragedy and goes back to her music career that keeps her traveling and away from the boys most of the time. Dad has a new girlfriend that Trace wants to hate, but can’t.
Trace becomes increasingly worried about his brother as he watches his personality change for the worse. He sees his once idolized brother making poor choice after poor choice and he is afraid to cause more discord in the family by speaking up to his father. His attempts to confide in his mother are pushed aside by her band commitments. Trace finds out his new friend has something in common with him when he
learns her family is struggling as well. The situation worsens and the family grapples with watching Will battle opioid addiction.
I really felt for the family, especially Trace. The novel in verse format of the book made it a quick read, but also made the word choice ever so much more weighted trying to convey the myriad emotions the family felt during this time.

Ellen Hopkins has done it again. This story was so beautifully crafted and I was held in rapture from the beginning. The story is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. The characters were dynamic and relatable.

Being a fan of Ellen Hopkins for some time now, I'm so very happy she is finally writing for the middle school audience. As a parent, I was thrilled when my own daughter coveted every book she read by Hopkins in high school and as a middle school librarian I've been recommending her to my 8th graders fervently. I'm thrilled to now have Hopkins on my shelf that I can confidently recommend to my students.
"What About Will" is a page-turner and a gut-punching quick read. It is just what many of my young teens are looking for when they come into my library. Hopkins makes the reader walk in Trace's shoes and see through his eyes. By the last page, you feel like you have experienced Trace's pain and loss over his brother's tragedy.