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Customer Reviews

Life with the Monster

2008-09-29
Life with the Monster

While visiting her good for nothing father, 17-year-old Kristina meets the guy she thinks is the love of her life and is introduced to the "MONSTER". It's taking over Kristina and turning her into Bree, who is her negative alter ego. Switching between these two personalities her life is a roller coaster, which she can't control.

After returning home to Reno, things were not normal. Her grades weren't good anymore, and her relationships with family and friends had changed. She always managed to find a way of getting hold of the monster just to get through the day.

This book is written in a physical poem format that can be confusing at times, but yet it's a page-turner because it can be an every day reality that many teens face. It is based on a true story that is captivating and you will not be able to put it down.

Reviewers:

Eduardo
Diana
Jose
Erika
Crank

A Monster Addiction

2008-09-24
Once you grab a hold on the fine pages of Crank, the author Ellen Hopkins, almost automatically pulls you in on the rich detail of the first few pages. Crank is exceptionally well written and rich in detail. The ability to craft her tale into an easy to read dose of real-life drama is out of this world. To add, her structure of writing is mind-blowing and keeps you reading page after page until you find that you are addicted. This characteristic makes the relationship between you and the main character Kristina (or Bree) mutual. As the monster ruins Kristina's life, you find her helpless and in need. You wish you could help but you can't. Since Hopkins uses first person visualizations, you are able to understand the main idea and follow Kristina step by step as the monster tears her life apart.

She calls herself Bree-the other side of Kristina that seems like the best follower when it comes to trouble. You'll find yourself rooting for one or the other. In any case, you're forced to face the decisions of both characters. Even though being the same person, Kristina and Bree share different ideas on the world and the addiction to Crank.

Crank is an easy book to connect to visually and emotionally. Crank is a premium recommended read for people of all ages. Teenage girls will enjoy this book even more since they will be able to directly share ideas and connect emotionally. Boys will find this interesting for the fact that it explains a girl's thoughts in great detail. The word choice is a bit novice but the way the story ties together is superb. You'll find your eyes glued to the pages all the way until the juicy ending slaps you in the face. Even then, you will be left mouth watering and awaiting the grasp of her sequel Glass.

Sincerely,
Valdez

AMAZING BOOK

2008-08-03
I picked this book up because of the interesting cover, and the weird style of writing I found inside when I flipped through it. I had absolutely no idea what crank was (I mean I had never heard it refered to as crank), and I dove in eagerly.
I must say I enjoyed the book. As I read the book I seriously started to feel sick. The addiction the girl has and the description of it literally made me feel sick. I had to put the book down and take a break a couple of times.
I wanted to point out H. Thompson's review. I HIGHLY disagree with it. I am seventeen. Ellen Hopkins did not "have fun" with the enter key. If you took the time to read it you would have noticed WHY she did that. Secondly, you say it has no plot. Seriously, does your life have a plot? I don't think so. Sure, Kristina in the book may only be interesting because of her addiction, but at least SHE'S interesting. Her story only made me think "What in the world do people see in this drug that's so good!?!?!?" I didn't read it because it had all the crap that it had in it, I read it because it's an honest story, based on a true story. The message is so clear it's not even funny, but apparently you were too interested in the rape scene to see it.
Next, you may THINK most teenagers aren't out there using drugs, getting raped, selling themselves, and commiting suicide, but you're wrong. Just the other day my family pulled up to a Hy-Vee, and my dad and brother went in to pick up milk. My mom, sister, and I were sitting in the car (this was later at night, we had just got done seeing a movie). Another car pulled up across from us. The music was blaring. There was a guy who looked somewhere between 17-20, and a girl who looked 14. He got out and went in. The girl immediately she turned the music off, which, in my opinion, is a sign she's just acting for him, for his attention. She's smoking, AND she's drinking. He comes back out, and she immediately turns the music back on. The guy's carying a small sack wadded up tightly, revealing the shape of a small box. Condoms. Don't tell me things like that don't happen every second of every day, because they do.
Ellen Hopkins gives us a glimpse of what addiction is like. And although it's no where near experiencing it, it doesn't leave you wanting to try it. So H. Thompson, shut up and throw the book away, but keep the talking to yourself.

Crank by Ellen hopkins

2008-08-02
This book took a hard look at a girls fight with crank ! And all the struggles and toll on family life! Very very well written book!

Juvenile and unpolished

2008-08-02
Ellen Hopkins attempts to break new ground with her book about a daughter's descent into crytal meth addiction and, while I grieve for her struggle, comes off as an untalented peddler of poor writing.

While the story is compelling, a once perfect daughter falls off and begins to use drugs, and speaks to fears bread into us all concerning drug use and addiction; her utilization of free-verse "poetry" is a mockery to poetry itself. Hopkins is able to leave the reader with sparse details in some areas, and extreme details in others; thus allowing herself as author to escape from the duty of conveying the story with any real sense of literary authority or authenticity. While she is heralded as a "ground breaker" and "experimental genius" her work pails in comparison to other experimental fiction, and is a poor use of the poetic form.

In the end this is a book for a high schooler to read for fun, it is low in literary value and an easy read that goes by quick and painlessly with no real impact besides from what a reader might experience have they not been exposed to fiction that succeeds where Hopkins fails.

Great book for teens!

2008-07-19
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.

very intense 2008-07-15
I just finished "crank". The book belongs to my 14yr old daughter and as a parent it was a very hard read. I worry every day about drugs and my children.

I liked that the book was honest in the fact about how quickly this drug can hook you and about the terrible things an addict would go through to get their drug. I also like that it didn't gloss over the fact that date rape does happen and adding drugs to the mix just ups the chances. I do feel that it glamorizes drug use and goes even as far as explaining how to smoke crack using aluminum foil and a straw.

I want my daughter to be aware of the dangers but I don't want to raise her curiosity enough that she wants to try it.

The book was good. The poetry and the way it was written was very beautiful. The story hard to read because all I could think was that could be my daughter. I just want to recommend that parents should read the book before giving it to their teenager. Maybe even use the book to start a conversation about drugs.

What a use of voice! 2008-05-25
As a high school teacher, I see students come through obviously strung out 90% of their lives. It is unfortunate, and as much as we try to help, we also feel powerless in the face of drug addiction. Just as I never wanted to listen to the advice from adults when I was a teen, it is so frustrating to be that voice to my students. I relate stories of friends, families, classmates... but nothing seems to work. I found a connection to the character in this book because of her almost pleading nature. Despite what other reviews said, I never once found this book to be preachy (even when looking back at all the things that happened to Bree/Kristina). As someone who reads teen writing for a living, I found this collection of poems as authentic as any adult could be. Not once did I question the age of the narrator, in fact, at points I could picture a couple of my students writing this piece. Hopefully this book will someday be a staple of all high school educations.

CRANK IS AS ADDICTING AS THE DRUG ITS ABOUT! BEST BOOK EVER 2008-05-21
Crank is loosely based off the life of ellen hopkin's (the author) daughter and her life ride with the monster. this monster is no giant green reature, no it is worst. this monster is crank this monster is crytal meth.
Kristina Snow is a mother's dream, a honor student and a role model. She never gets in trouble and is a very nice person. But soon that dream turn into a nightmare when Kristina meets the monster and turns into her extreme alter ego Bree. To her family she is a different kristina but to the monster she is Bree, the outgoing trouble maker that ill do anything to get closer to the monster. Through this book and its sequel Glass, you follow the excruciating journey of a girl greatly affected by crank and her desparete fight to get her life back again.
I personally love this book. crank is defiantly one of my favorite books and will alway be. I would recommend this book to anyone mature enought to handle its content. This book is for guys along with girls. Everyone can relate to this book in one way or another. the best thing about this book is that it hides nothing and it never tries to beauty anything up. it is the truth form start to finish no matter how gruesome that truth is. This book and its sequel are writin in verse. thought verse is just another way to write it really help you connect to the character so much moire the form and shapes the words from lets you know exactly how kristina is feeling without telling you. you can tell if shes angry, happy, high, or distraught. Crank doesnt necissarly have a happy ending but it leaves you with a feeling begging for more. crank is as addicing as the drug is based on. I never wanted to put this book down. i ill read it over and over again!
"Life was good before i met the monster after, life was great at least for a little while"

-F

CRANK........ 2008-04-14
I think this book is really good. It pretty much tells you the truth about what happens when people get into to drugs. I think that this is a book that teens should read that way they have more facts about why they should NOT do drugs...ecspecially hardcore drugs like crank.....DON'T DO DRUGS!!!!