Crank

Bibliography:Hopkins, E. (2004) Crank. New York, NY: McElderry.

Genre:YA Problem novel

Reading Level/Interest Age:15yrs+

Reader's Annotation: Kristina's life changes forever when she visits her father and tries crank for the first time.

Author:Ellen Hopkins' bibliography is extensive. She had published widely in non-fiction for young adults before her most recent and most popular series of novels in verse were published; Crank is the first in that series.

Plot Summary:During one long-awaited trip to visit her dad, Kristina is exposed to a kind of life very different from what she has at her mom's house. She meets and falls for a boy named Adam; he introduces her to methamphetamines ("crank"). Kristina is enthralled with the feelings of being high, and she takes risks to get more crank. She adopts a new identity and new lifestyle as "Bree." Soon she is using crank regularly, and, upon return home, Bree moves in new circles at school. Her new friends bring her even further down a dangerous path of drinking, drugs, sex, and run-ins with the law. She eventually turns away from her family and almost reaches "the point of no return." An unexpected development brings her back from the clutches of addiction.

Critical Evaluation:This powerful novel is written entirely in free-verse poetry. This format practically forces the reader to feel the emotional pain that Kristina/Bree describes. The narrative is woven throughout the poems; it is easy to keep up with the plot even as Kristina changes between her two identities. The character of Kristina/Bree is a believable teenager. She makes decisions based on emotions. She does not think things through. She relies on her peer group more than her family. Like every teenager, she makes mistakes, and—in her case—some of them have permanent and dangerous consequences. Interestingly, Bree does not run away from the consequences.

Like the drug Bree battles with, the major force behind this novel is its addictive prose. I was pulled into this story from the beginning, and each page made me want to read more. I was surprised by how the poems carried the fast-paced plot; even the structure of some of the poems reinforced the plot element, mood or emotion depicted in the plot. Even after more than 500 pages, I wanted to read more. Clearly, a sequel to this novel was an obvious choice.

Most of the commentary about this novel mentions Hopkins's own daughter, upon whose life Crank is based. It is obvious that the author has personal experience with drug addiction. However, her narrative allows the reader to experience this for the first time, with all its excitement and terror. Hopkins does not "preach" or warn her audience of the dangers of meth addiction. She lets her story of Bree speak for itself and does so with lovely and powerful poetry. Few could read this book without understanding her message.

Curriculum Ties: Drug abuse/drug addiction, creative writing (free verse poetry), art class (visual representation of Bree's feelings, emotions)

Book Talk Ideas:Read a few of the poems, probably from different stages of the story.

Challenge Issues: Drug Addiction, degenerate parents, violence, teen sexuality, teen pregnancy

Why was this text included in this project?This book is different from all the others in this project. I was recommended it by a local librarian as well as several friends.