83 pages • 2 hours read
Ellen HopkinsA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The first novel of Ellen Hopkins’s Crank trilogy, Crank (2004), tells the story of how one summer using the drug crystal meth changes the course of protagonist Kristina Snow’s life. Written in hypnotic, broken verse, the YA novel is loosely based on the addiction struggles of Hopkins’s own daughter. The novel uses minimal words and granular details to immerse the reader in the psyche of a teenager dealing with drug addiction. Honors student Kristina is only 16 when she first uses meth, a drug she dubs “the monster,” showing that addiction can strike any person or family. Filled with visceral descriptions and strong language, the book has invited praise and censure in equal measure. A New York Times bestseller, Crank has also regularly featured on banned-book lists because of its depictions of addiction and sex.
Ellen Hopkins' Crank vividly explores the harrowing effects of addiction through a unique verse format. The gripping narrative and authentic voice captivate readers, but some find the poetic style disjointed. While praised for its raw realism and emotional depth, it may be too intense for sensitive readers. Overall, it's a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Readers who would enjoy Crank by Ellen Hopkins are typically teens or young adults interested in intense, gripping narratives about addiction and personal struggle. Comparable to readers of Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, they seek raw, emotional stories told in a unique, poetic format.
Recommended
Lexile Level
NP0LRealistic Fiction
Romance
Modern Classic Fiction
Addiction / Substance Abuse
Mental Illness
Identity: Sexuality
Identity: Mental Health
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance