Genre:
Verse Novel
Book Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Kristina Snow is a great daughter, great student, great sister, great friend. Until her estranged father insists that she visit him over the summer in Albuquerque. There she meets Adam who introduces her to “crank” (methamphetamine) and Kristina becomes Bree, an alter ego who spirals out of control. After returning home to Reno, Kristina/Bree continues this path of self-destruction seeking out others who can fuel her need for meth, or “monster.” Thus, she begins a tumultuous relationship with her mother, who refuses to acknowledge Kristina’s problems. She meets lifeguard Brendan who takes advantage of her, and resident bad boy Chase who initially feeds her addiction but loves Kristina and ultimately realizes that she is in too deep. When Kristina finds out she is pregnant with Brendan’s baby, a product of rape, Chase stands by her, offering to give up his scholarship to marry her and take care of the baby as his own. Mercifully, Kristina does not let him do this, but she does decide to keep the baby. Despite a reconciliation with her mother and having a son to raise, Kristina/Bree cannot escape the monster that is meth.
Sixteen-year-old Kristina Snow is a great daughter, great student, great sister, great friend. Until her estranged father insists that she visit him over the summer in Albuquerque. There she meets Adam who introduces her to “crank” (methamphetamine) and Kristina becomes Bree, an alter ego who spirals out of control. After returning home to Reno, Kristina/Bree continues this path of self-destruction seeking out others who can fuel her need for meth, or “monster.” Thus, she begins a tumultuous relationship with her mother, who refuses to acknowledge Kristina’s problems. She meets lifeguard Brendan who takes advantage of her, and resident bad boy Chase who initially feeds her addiction but loves Kristina and ultimately realizes that she is in too deep. When Kristina finds out she is pregnant with Brendan’s baby, a product of rape, Chase stands by her, offering to give up his scholarship to marry her and take care of the baby as his own. Mercifully, Kristina does not let him do this, but she does decide to keep the baby. Despite a reconciliation with her mother and having a son to raise, Kristina/Bree cannot escape the monster that is meth.
APA Reference of Book:
Hopkins, E. (2004). Crank. New York: Simon Pulse.
Hopkins, E. (2004). Crank. New York: Simon Pulse.
Impressions:
The verse format of the book was awkward at first, but it did not take long to fall into a rhythm and realize the talent that went into these pages. The way Hopkins manipulates the words to form alternate verses and shapes gives the text a third dimension that prose could not accomplish. The text seems to take on Kristina’s emotions which is both insightful and heartbreaking. The reader cannot help but hope that she can overcome this addiction all the while knowing that the monster has control. Kristina is like so many teenagers who find themselves making decisions that take them down a dark path. Crank provides a terrifying glimpse of addiction and just how easy it is for anyone to fall into this world and the near impossibility it is to climb out. Knowing that this is based on the author’s experiences with her daughter makes it even more emotional and adds authenticity to the story.
The verse format of the book was awkward at first, but it did not take long to fall into a rhythm and realize the talent that went into these pages. The way Hopkins manipulates the words to form alternate verses and shapes gives the text a third dimension that prose could not accomplish. The text seems to take on Kristina’s emotions which is both insightful and heartbreaking. The reader cannot help but hope that she can overcome this addiction all the while knowing that the monster has control. Kristina is like so many teenagers who find themselves making decisions that take them down a dark path. Crank provides a terrifying glimpse of addiction and just how easy it is for anyone to fall into this world and the near impossibility it is to climb out. Knowing that this is based on the author’s experiences with her daughter makes it even more emotional and adds authenticity to the story.
Professional Review:
Seventeen-year-old Kristina Snow is introduced to crank on a trip to visit her wayward father. Caught up in a fast-paced, frightening, and unfamiliar world, she morphs into "Bree" after she "shakes hands with the monster." Her fearless, risk-taking alter ego grows stronger, "convincing me to be someone I never dreamed I'd want to be." When Kristina goes home, things don't return to normal. Although she tries to reconnect with her mother and her former life as a good student, her drug use soon takes over, leaving her "starving for speed" and for boys who will soon leave her scarred and pregnant. Hopkins writes in free-verse poems that paint painfully sharp images of Kristina/Bree and those around her, detailing how powerful the "monster" can be. The poems are masterpieces of word, shape, and pacing, compelling readers on to the next chapter in Kristina's spiraling world. This is a topical page-turner and a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction and realistically uncertain future.
Seventeen-year-old Kristina Snow is introduced to crank on a trip to visit her wayward father. Caught up in a fast-paced, frightening, and unfamiliar world, she morphs into "Bree" after she "shakes hands with the monster." Her fearless, risk-taking alter ego grows stronger, "convincing me to be someone I never dreamed I'd want to be." When Kristina goes home, things don't return to normal. Although she tries to reconnect with her mother and her former life as a good student, her drug use soon takes over, leaving her "starving for speed" and for boys who will soon leave her scarred and pregnant. Hopkins writes in free-verse poems that paint painfully sharp images of Kristina/Bree and those around her, detailing how powerful the "monster" can be. The poems are masterpieces of word, shape, and pacing, compelling readers on to the next chapter in Kristina's spiraling world. This is a topical page-turner and a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction and realistically uncertain future.
APA
Reference of Professional Review:
Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M.,
Grabarek, D., Larkins, J., & Korbeck, S. (2004). Crank (Book). School Library Journal, 50(11),
145.
Library Uses:
Crank could be used in conjunction with National Poetry Month and
featured with other verse novels to promote this genre. Many students do not
care for poetry, but the novel format is familiar. After reading, students can write
their own verses using the author’s style for inspiration.
Readalikes:
Saving Red by Sonya Sones – Molly meets Red, a
homeless girl, while completing service hours for a school project. Still
hurting from a family tragedy, Molly focuses her attention on reuniting Red
with her family. With the help of Cristo, the boy she meets on the Ferris
wheel, and her service dog, Pixel, Molly discovers the truth about Red, and
herself in the process.
Rubber Houses by Ellen Yeomans – Kit’s life is
almost perfect, until cancer strikes. Yeomans uses baseball and travel
references to tell Kit’s story about losing a loved one and part of one’s self.
What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones – Sophie is a
typical teenager trying to figure out teenage love. Dylan is hot but so is her
online fling with Chaz. After breaking it off with both of them, she realizes
that she doesn’t have to go far to find what she’s looking for.
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