Review Detail

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.