Crank

Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Teen Zone Fiction- Main Level– Hopkins

Crank is based loosely on Ellen Hopkins' daughter’s experience with crystal meth. Kristina’s mother has finally agreed to let Kristina go visit her father for 3 weeks during summer vacation. Kristina was very excited until she actually reunited with her father and realized that he was not who she remembered. Kristina’s father left her alone so he could go to go work. She filled her time by wandering around his apartment complex and she eventually met Adam. Kristina introduced herself as Bree. She started hanging out with Adam and experimenting with different drugs. Kristina was fearful while “Bree” was fearless and would try anything. Adam took her to the bowling alley (where her dad works) which was the hotspot for drugs. Kristina realized that her dad was a known user and dealer. She decided to experiment with crystal meth (which she refers to as the monster) and was instantly hooked. Once she heads back to Reno, Kristina lets Bree come out and make new friends. She finds and starts hanging out with other meth/drug users. She destroys relationships without really realizing what she is doing because everything she does is for the drugs. Even at her lowest point when found out she was pregnant because she was raped by her dealer she did not stop using. It is a difficult book to read based on the subject matter but it is an eye opening experience to realize why some people start using drugs and why they have a hard time getting clean and sober. Ellen Hopkins writes in free verse and compels readers to the very end. To keep up with Kristina’s story and struggles you can follow up with

Glass by Ellen Hopkins
Teen Zone Fiction- Main Level– Hopkins

Fallout by Ellen Hopkins
Teen Zone New Fiction- Main Level– Hopkins