From the Bookshelf of YA Saves Reading Challenge Group…

Crank (Crank, #1)

Ellen Hopkins

Discussion: YA Saves Books

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 1 of 1 topics — 4 comments total

YA Saves Books

* YA Saves Books List - Entire List
By Patricia · 1 post · 91 views

last updated Jan 12, 2012 05:53AM

What Members Thought

Dec 15, 2010 Laura (Booksforbreakfast) rated it it was amazing

This was a beautifully written book that was infuriating and heart-wrenching at the same time. I loved Kristina and her alter-ego Bree, and I understood why she did it. this book really touches on the human emotion and our psyche in general and makes it a fascinating read.

I found that reading in verse was a little difficult at times, but I adjusted quickly and ended up finding it fascinating. I've always said that it takes a very talented author to write in verse. Because of the lack of wordage, ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Apr 05, 2011 Patricia (Patricia's Particularity) rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, ya-saves

Crank is a very unique and different book. Ellen Hopkins shows us the journey that so many, unfortunately, take when they start doing drugs, and the consequences it has not just on their life but on the lives surrounding them.

"Life is full of choices. We don't always make good ones. It seems to Kristina you gotta be crazy to open your windows, invite the demons in. Bree throws rocks at the feeble glass, laughs (p.83)"

Kristina's journey with Meth and drugs starts during a visit at her Dad's house Crank is a very unique and different book. Ellen Hopkins shows us the journey that so many, unfortunately, take when they start doing drugs, and the consequences it has not just on their life but on the lives surrounding them.

"Life is full of choices. We don't always make good ones. It seems to Kristina you gotta be crazy to open your windows, invite the demons in. Bree throws rocks at the feeble glass, laughs (p.83)"

Kristina's journey with Meth and drugs starts during a visit at her Dad's house (who also has had his own personal problems with drugs). There she is introduced into the Meth world through a boy. We are then introduced to Bree, Kristina's "other-half" - the part of Kristina that is Meth, also known as The Monster. Upon the first introduction, Kristina struggles with Bree for control, but quickly finds herself loosing.

As Bree becomes more and more prominent and her addiction to the Monster grows by leaps and bounds, Kristina's journey takes dark and unusual turns. No longer is school important, her long time friends become irrelevant, and her dreams and hopes are no longer long term but impulsive and at the moment.

"Crank, You See isn't any ordinary monster. It's like a giant octopus, weaving its tentacles not just around you, but through you, squeezing not hard enough to kill you, but enough to keep you from reeling until you try to get away. Try, and you hunger for it grasping clutch, the way its tendrils prop you up, your need intensifying exponentially every minute you refuse to admit its being (p.469)"

The first installment in Ellen Hopkins' Crank series is a harsh and raw introduction into the world of drugs. Kristina's and Bree's inner thoughts are anything bet held back, pushing the harsh realities of dug use into your face. You will want to scream at Kristina/Bree, demanding her reasons for starting to flirt with The Monster, and at the same time feel sympathy and a level of understanding for her. Told in Free-Verse, and even formated in unique ways, you will become "hooked" to Kristina's and Bree's story and struggle with "The Monster". ...more

Like · see review

Jan 14, 2012 Abi. rated it it was amazing

I really really really enjoyed Crank. I've read another book by Ellen Hopkins before so I was already familiar with the style of book she writes. It did take a little work to get into it and to re-train my brain to be able to read it without getting lost but nonetheless I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually liked the character of Kristina/Bree and I found myself relating to her addiction (as a whole, not with cocaine but more with addictions in general) and sympathising with her. The ending ...more

Like · see review

Nov 08, 2009 Marisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own, young-adult

Knowing people who have been drug addicts I can relate to some of this. It was very chilling to read how deeply meth can make you crave it. You really feel bad for Kristina even though a lot of what happens is her own doing. You can see the times she does try to stay away even though she does not manage to.

Like · see review