Mod 6 Crank

Hopkins, Ellen. Crank. New York: Margaret K McElderry Books, 2004. ISBN 9780689865190

Summary:

Seventeen year-old Kristina Snow visits her deadbeat dad on a court ordered visit to Albuquerque. While there, she meets handsome Adam, the monster – Crank, and Bree, an imagined, bolder personality. Upon return to Reno and her mom, Kristina tries hard to maintain her normal life. Straight A’s, responsible, an all around good kid; but Bree has other plans. Spurred on by Bree’s outgoing, spontaneous risk-taking, Kristina/Bree finds herself in the clutches of the monster-crystal meth. She soon learns that “Crank is more than a drug. /It’s a way of life. /You can turn your back. /But you can never really walk away.”

Analysis:

Crank is a realistic free verse novel. Hopkins keeps the reader involved in the novel in several ways. The poems, according to School Library Journal are “masterpieces of word, shape, and pacing, compelling readers on to the next chapter in Kristina’s spiraling world.” Each page’s poem is different format from the page before, with shapes that accompany the topic, such as a question mark when Kristina is making an important decision as well as split columns that can be read as one or two separate poems. Kristina’s character is well developed in her decline into addiction. Details of escalating behavior from simple drug use to lying to her family, buying and selling the drug, and a total change in habits and friends explain her change in character. This gripping story of drug abuse will be remembered by readers of all ages. VOYA says, “Hopkins delivers a gritty, fast-paced read while effectively portraying the dangers of substance abuse without sounding pedantic or preachy.” The fact that the novel is loosely based on Hopkins’ own daughter’s fight with substance abuse only makes it more real.

Reviews:

Booklist 2004

"Readers won't soon forget smart, sardonic Kristina; her chilling descent into addiction; or the author's note, which references her own daughter's struggle with the monster."

Publisher's Weekly 2004

"...she creates a world nearly as consuming and disturbing as the titular drug."

School Library Journal 2004

" This is a topical page-turner and a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction and realistically uncertain future."

Awards:

Quills Award nominee (Crank)
Book Sense Top 10 (Crank)
NYPL Recommended for Teens (Crank)
PSLA Top Ten for Teens (Crank)
Charlotte Award (Crank)
IRA Young Adult Choices Award (Crank)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Crank)
SSLI Honor Book Award (Crank)
Nevada Writers Hall of Fame Silver Pen Award
Gateway Readers Awards winner (Crank)

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://www.ellenhopkins.com/

For more information about narcotics anonymous visit http://www.na.org/

A teen site about dealing with addiction http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/addictions.html

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Crashboomlove: A novel in verse by Juan Felipe Herrera

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Smack by Melvin Burgess

Candy by Kevin Brooks

Ttfn by Lauren Myracle

Picture:

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