Review: CRANK

CRANK by Ellen Hopkins

Published October 5th 2004

Simon Pulse

537 pages

Reviewed by Kristy

Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina -- she's fearless.

Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul -- her life. (courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review: 4 STARS

Oh my. This book is an eye-opener. As a parent I am thankful to Ellen Hopkins for writing this book. Apparently she knows a thing or two about meth addiction because the story is loosely based on her own experience with her daughter's addiction. I learned so much through this book, the mindset of a person even after one hit of meth, how they go about using it and what they will do to acquire it. I found CRANK a refreshingly real approach to a hard topic. Hopkins does not shy way from putting all the ugliness that comes with drug addiction into CRANK, that includes language and situations that addicts put themselves into. This book is not for the faint at heart. Addicts will do ANYTHING for a fix. Addicts will HURT anyone for a fix. Addicts only care about THE FIX. CRANK is written from the point-of-view of an ADDICT. We are in the addicts head, experiencing her urges. Phenomenal read for those strong enough to attempt it.

I read this book in honor of Banned Book Week and I am so glad I did!