Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Publisher
Other Books by This Author: Impulse, Burned, Identical, Tricks
IBSN: 9780689865190
Blurb:
Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina — she’s fearless.
Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul — her life.
My Thoughts:
Incredible. Truly incredible. The story, the writing, everything about this book was immensely powerful. I’ve read a few books written in verse before, but they were nothing like this. When I first opened the book the structure blew me away! Ellen Hopkins is very very talented. To me, it seems that writing a books in verse and putting so much planning into the verse structure, would be harder than just writing a plan ol’ novel.
If you don’t know what this book is about, the title says it all. It’s about a seemingly normal teenage girl, Kristina, who becomes trapped in the clutches of the Monster. Crank. The whole story rings frighteningly true. It happens every day. We can all sit around and say “How can people be so stupid to ever start using!” but it’s not that simple. And Crank makes you realize that. Kristina has a lot going on in her life, but nothing too horrible. When the opportunity to escape presents itself, she of course takes it. First with a trip to visit her absent father and then with crank. That’s how easy it is. It only takes one time. That’s a very scary thought.
The fact that this is loosely based on the life of Hopkins daughter makes the story even more powerful. Ellen Hopkins is immensely brave to write this story. This is a raw, honest and horrible look at drug addiction in our generation. It’s not an easy book to digest. It will make you think. Read it.
5 Stars
Lori, fantastic review. Hopkins books are very popular with my 8th grade girls. They are constantly telling me how much they love them.
Brilliant review, Lori. I loves these books so much, and I'm glad you do too.
I agree it's not an easy book to read, and it can't have been easy to write either. I love its honesty and realism — Ellen Hopkins definitely knows how to pack a punch.
This is one of the books that I brought home from my school library to read this summer. I don't want to carry it on my trip so I'll read it in July when I am home. Thanks for the great review!
Thanks for the awesome review! I didn't know this was in verse. That has to make it even better. Having been down that road I'm pretty certain this book would truly hit home for me. I look forward to reading it one day (soon hopefully!).
Wow, I've got to read this!
I just read and reviewed "Tricks" by Ellen Hopkins this week and thought it was very good.
A graphic and sad look at teens and sexual abuse and prostitution very well written in verse novel form.
MsM
Awesome awesome review!! I've been nervous to pick this book up. I have a brother who was addicted to drugs for 10 years so its hard reading books about it. But I loved your review so much that I am going to get this book! Thanks!!
All of Ellen Hopkins books are truly powerful. Crank is just that. I read this book and agree 100 percent with your review. I think what made it even more powerful is that it is based on her daughter.
The follow-up Glass is written just as well.
Thanks for the great review.
I loved this book! Loved the prose of the poems, very random, but it still went together beautifully.