Crank (Crank #1)

Reader reviewed by fayeflame

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 or when she was under the mothers influence , 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.

Reader reviewed by Jessica

Ellen Hopkin's beautiful novel in verse "CRANK" details Kristina's life as she slowly begins to fall into the trap that drugs provide for her under the intense situation of her life. She slowly finds that she wishes to be more open and creates a second person within her own body, Bree, who will do all the things that Kristina wishes she could do, all those things that Kristina knows are bad and shouldn't do. Bree is the alter ego who causes the drug addiction, and the bad behavior.

A shocking novel for all teens about the reality of crystal meth, "CRANK" is a novel that should be read again and again in order for the true effect of the words to sink in. Kristina was the ordinary daughter, the good kid, who collapsed under the weight and pressure that drugs offered her. The true underlying power of this book is in the feeling that this could happen to anyone, anywhere, any child who believes they are safe, truly isn't.

Reader reviewed by selina c

I have never been more shocked or thrilled to read such a mind blowing story.  The two girl persona in Crank and the ride downhill from honor roll to being a teenage mother addicted to drugs makes you realize how far the fall really is.  Ellen Hopkins is a poetic genious, creating such a masterpiece of a story out of poems that are hard to swallow and unbelievably visual for words.  Crank really left a mark on me after i read it, but it was also inspiring and showed the raw truth of drug abuse and what it does to you, both physically and mentally.  A great read, but not recommended for those sensitive to certain materials.

Reader reviewed by cici

this was a disturbingly awesome book. i love how the poems just capture you from page one and never like go. it was a pleasure to read this book, i just couldnt put it down. she writes some thick books i started reading it on a friday and was done with it by saturday morining thats how amazing this book really is. praise for ellen hopkins!!!!!

Reader reviewed by Tessa

I couldn't put this book down! I needed to stay up all night to finish it. I just had to know how it ended. The author has a certain way with words and describing things that makes you feel like you're the main character. Amazing. I had to read all the books that this author has written because her books are so enticing and make you look at life through another person's possible point of view in life.

Reader reviewed by terry

my daughter got me reading this book after she was done with it and once i started i couldn't put it down. as a parent i really wished that more teens and parents would take the time to read this book to understand how what this drug can do to a person and how easy it is to get hooked on it once it is introduce to you. the ones that are easy target are the ones who have problems dealing with either family or maybe they fill they just don't feel worthy of themselves. but they have to be strong. but they have to say "no" to the "monster" or else!   

Reader reviewed by Chay

I first picked up Crank last summer. I loved it from pretty much day one. It had some prats about her personalitiy that you could just relate to. With that is just pulls you into it. I sat down one night and just started reading it. Adam was a great character that hepls you countinue reading it at the begining. Chase was fun to fallow, as well. i read it with in 4 hours then picked up the next book Glass.

Reader reviewed by Alex11181992

An unbelieve story that only ellen hopkins could come up with.
A hard felt story of a young teenage girl and her new trouble.
Going to her dads house was a mistake from the start
Read and learn all the troubles of a girl who is lead into the life of drugs
Raped and left with a baby she learns to turn her life around
A book that i will read until i die
unbelieve a most read story for every1

Reader reviewed by Erika

Kristina is a good person, up until her senior year. She goes to stay with her dad. She takes on a whole other person, named Bree. She gets involved, with drinking, drugs,boys, and becomes wild. When she goes back home, nothing changes in her quiet little town, with her anyways. Her need for crystal meth (crank) is ongoing.

Reader reviewed by Alexis

I think this book was so good. At first I was confused because it is written in poem form, but I got used to it and actually started to like the format. I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read. It is about Kirsten or Bree depending on how you look at it. I think that I would reccommend this to all my friends who haven't read it. Kirsten goes to her dad's for the summer and comes home Bree. I think if you like to read you would like this book.