Crank - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com Review
Ellen Hopkins's semi-autobiographical verse novel, Crank, reads like a Go Ask Alice for the 21st century. In it, she 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. In the author's note, Hopkins warns "nothing in this story is impossible," but when Kristina's controlled, high-powered mother allows her teenage daughter to visit her biological father (a nearly homeless known drug user), the story feels unbelievable. Still, the descriptions of crystal meth use and its consequences are powerful, and will horrify and transfix older teenage readers, just as Alice did over 20 years ago. --Jennifer Hubert

Product Description
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.

Customer Reviews: Read 103 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

intense October 30, 2005
26 out of 29 found this review helpful

This story of a teenager who becomes addicted to crank is a book that parents as well as teenagers should read. The sparse poetry conveys the power of the addiction so much more intensely than prose ever could.

As a parent, it was especially scary to see how quickly "the monster" claimed this young girl. The message of this book is so strong because it is never preachy or overdramitized. It comes across very true and real.

I read "Go Ask Alice" when I was a teenager and this book strikes the same emotions.

2 out of 5 stars

Heavy-Handed Message March 23, 2007
11 out of 19 found this review helpful

The book "Crank" has some good points: I liked the use of text layout in the shape of a cross when the character is praying, for example. However, the narrator's point of view is inauthentic. It does not sound like a teenage girl but a mother in many places in the story. It gets a little preachy due to how heavy-handed the messages is hammered home that meth is addictive. The portrayal of the Planned Parenthood clinic is completely wrong and feels like the author has an agenda, an ax to grind. I have worked with staff and volunteers at Planned Parenthood clinics, and the people who work there are very nice, non-judgemental people who really care about the women and girls they treat. They do not "recommend" abortion as the author says, but let you make up your own mind. This part of the book feels like a scare tactic, a polemic. The novel "Go Ask Alice" is much more authentic story about a girl and addiction. This novel, like any, is just one person's opinion.

2 out of 5 stars

suprised June 9, 2005
10 out of 18 found this review helpful

I recently recieved my copy of CRANK and was surprised to find it was all in poetry format. It was not what I expected. I went back and reread the description on amazon and realized that it did mention that it was free verse poetry about half way through, but it was easy to miss. Something that important should be the first thing they mention. It may be good poetry but if youre looking for a novel or autobiography this isn't going to cut it.

5 out of 5 stars

Bree vs. Kristina May 9, 2005
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Wow. I really don't know what to write about this book. That's how good it is. I'm afraid I'll turn you away from one of the best books I've read in a very long time. Crank is so real, yet intense, that I loved it until the very last page.

Anyway, this book is about a girl, Kristina (or Bree because of the 'monster'), and her spending time at her long-lost dad, which changed her life forever. First, she meets the perfect guy at her dad's job at a bowling place. Yeah, he's perfect except for the whole drug thing. Then, of course, she must leave her father's and her source of 'crank', Buddy, the love of her life. When she gets home she finds new sources for the 'monster'. She gets it from a bad boy, Chase, and a perfect-jock-type-guy, Brendon. For the next couple of months a lot of stuff happens, but I won't tell you that because that would be mean and tell you the whole story line. I well say that she does some crazy stuff when high on the 'monster', and I am sorry for everyone that has made this decision in his or her life, and then have to go though what this character had to go through.

Overall, I loved this book. I'm really sorry if I turned you away from this book because I didn't mean to. I loved this book, and it has deep meaning to me. Crank is a monster and I hope this story tells you to never do it, ever. Or this could situation happen to you.

1 out of 5 stars

Drug Addict Reader February 21, 2008
5 out of 8 found this review helpful

It was great to read someone who really understands me! Meth isn't all bad news...that is just everyone preaching! With it I can go anywhere and do anything!
If I had read this during my decade of using crystal meth, I would have so relieved to hear from a girl who understood not only the downs, but also the ups. Luckily I am one week away from my four year clean date. If you have a child or loved one who needs some guidance, don't let them near this book! She is so flippant and nonchalant about her addiction. It is not real, and she never really has to deal with life. You want guidance, let me tell you about the police showing up at the hospital in the middle of my newborn son's heart surgery to get me to pee in a cup before they would let me in to see him. From the day I found out I was pregnant I fought for my life, and more importantly, my son's life. Now, he is three, healthy, and I am a children's librarian who will fight to keep this book away from my kids.

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