Crank by Ellen Hopkins is the first in a trilogy about a teenager's addiction to Crystal Meth, or Crank. The entire book is written in verse form, each page a different format of verse. This ironically addictive format gives the writer a limited amount of words to convey the storyline as well as the emotions associated within it, which makes it all the more poignant. Kristina was a blond, straight-laced, high school student who spent part of a summer visiting her father. During that visit she learns her father is not the prince she always thought he was, and she forays into a world of drugs and falls in love. It is during that visit that her alternate personality, Bree, is born.

Upon returning to Reno, where she lives with her mom, stepdad, brother, and sister, she finds she is addicted to "the monster" and will go to surprising depths to get her fix. The rest of the book chronicles her descent and the consequences that occur.

This book was so interesting and I'm surprised that I'm only recently hearing about the series, as this book was published 5 years ago. As I mentioned above, the story and format made it addictive to me, as a reader. Many books have been written about addictions and drug use to the point that a large majority are unoriginal or repetetive in their tellings. This unique book made the often-told story interesting as well as the emotions experienced by the main character. I look forward to reading the next in the series! ( )

Synopsis:

In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank.
Soon, her grades plummet, her relationships with family and friends deteriorate, and she needs more and more of the monster just to get through the day. Kristina hits her lowest point when she is raped by one of her drug dealers and becomes pregnant as a result. Her decision to keep the baby slows her drug use, but doesn't stop it, and the author leaves the reader with the distinct impression that Kristina/Bree may never be free from her addiction.

I don't know way i was drawn to this book, it was ok, not great. I don't really read books like Crank. But i gave it a try. I guess i was drawn to the way it was written and Kristina's struggle to be someone different, which came from the "monster/crank". She got so lost, while i was reading it, it just kept on kristina's struggle, there was never any spark of "something goods gonna happen". I was rooting for her, hoping for something good to happen.it was so intense, it made me think.... I'll definitely continue Ellen Hopkins books. ( )

In Crank, you get to follow Kristina's adventure from when she starts using meth to when she has become so addicted, she would do anything for it. You feel sorry for her and angry at her all at the same time because you know that she is throwing away an amazing life and that meth isn't work all the hassle she goes through. By the end, you either just feel sorry for her because she is pregnant and has no love, or your pissed at her because she is still oh so addicted. I loved this horrific novel and recommend to anyone who has a friend or family member that does any drugs so they can get a look into their world.

crank was the first book by ellen hopkins that i read. i really liked this book. i think the story line of this book is good. its like a typical story about a teen getting into drugs and boys. but i liked how this girl goes by 2 different names like she really is 2 different people. ( )

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. But through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank.