CRANK
Crank #1
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Source: Personal PurchaseReading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; Original edition (October 5, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0689865198
ISBN-13: 978-0689865190
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.
I have read so much about the series of books that Ellen Hopkins has out featuring all sorts of addictions and obstacles that teens can face. When I picked up Crank, I was intrigued to see how an author was going to portray the drug abuse that can run so rampant through teenagers without going overboard. I wanted to read something that stayed true to the abuse and didn’t portray it lightly since it is a serious subject to begin with.
Ellen Hopkins did everything I wanted and more within the pages of Crank.
When Kristina meets her Father again after years of abandonment, she gets a glimpse into the world of drugs and the world her mother suffered through before breaking free of him. With her first hit of crank, we see the downward spiral that Kristina begins to fall into and brings out the persona of Bree. Through the heartache of romantic breakups, the lure of numbness from drugs, and the acceptance of being an addict, we see how drugs can easily grab hold of someone and refuse to let go.
I will say though that I wasn’t a big fan of the verse writing in this one. While it may have worked for some people, I found it to be too much. The story alone had an impact on the reader and the verse writing was overkill in my opinion.
If you are looking for a book that touches on a serious subject that effects teens everywhere, then I recommend sitting down with Crank and prepare for a dark ride.
Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS
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