The book Crank by Ellen Hopkins  was published in 2004 and has been a hit with Teens all over the world.

   The story is about a disturbing and frightening relationship between Kristina and Crank – Crank being Crystal Meth.  Kristina is introduced to Crank by her no-good father. While under the influence of drugs, she becomes Bree, her sexy alter-ego and discovers that with this new character she can do things that her “Kristina” ego would not do; by doing these things she can attract boys who then provide her with more Crank. This addiction affects her life, her grades and her relationship with her family, leading her down a spiral that is difficult to get out of.

  After being raped she becomes pregnant, and perhaps this becomes her salvation as the drug use slows, but never stops. This is an incredibly tough and vivid book; it is written in poetry, but also uses the construction of the poetry to make each chapter flow. It is a daunting look into the world of Crystal Meth especially as the main character is eight years old when she becomes addicted. It really delves into the loss a teen can feel with no direction and no future, and shows a steady decline as Kristina becomes more desperate and more hooked on this dangerous drug.

  It doesn’t hold back as this book envelops you in the addiction that Kristina falls into as you read, and you realize that this is based on Ellen Hopkins daughter, you begin to feel the desperation of the mother (the writer) as she is helpless to stop this spiral towards death; you feel the pain of  the main character as well as the mother as the vivid writing superbly expresses the changes and trials of Kristina, the battle she is having and despite the fact that she begins to move away from addiction, you still feel a forlornness as you realize the battle is only beginning.