Before that I kept concentrating on how I was supposed to read it: vertical first or not? For instance. I’m still quite new to verse novels so it did take me a good 100 pages (which took like 20 mins to read, really – you can fly through verse books in no time) to get comfortable with the writing style. Knowing Ellen personally experienced much of this story gives it even more of an emotional pull, as we learn that this is based on Ellen’s own daughter’s story. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul, and her life.Īn immensely powerful book, Crank brings us a heartbreaking downfall into drug addiction. Kristina Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. McElderry Books on August 6th 2013 (Paperback) 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.Thursday, JanuReview: Crank by Ellen Hopkins Posted by Giselle Crank by Ellen Hopkins

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. 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. Kristina hits her lowest point when she is raped by one of her drug dealers and becomes pregnant as a result. 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.

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. 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. 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.

Ellen Hopkins's semi-autobiographical verse novel, Crank, reads like a Go Ask Alice for the 21st century.

Ellen hopkins series