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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Reread this after I learned it turned 20 years old last week. Hard to believe that I first read this at 14, given the heavy topics it covers. Maybe it's what inspired me to never give in to any temptations of smoking and drugs.
Crank was an incredible read. I had not read anything by Ellen Hopkins before, though I had heard such wonderful things about her novels, which made me pick this one up when I was at the library. I flipped through it briefly and saw that it wouldn't take me that long to read it, so of course, I borrowed it from there. The second I got home I started reading it and I just couldn't put it down.
One thing I like about this book was that it dealt with darker topics: drugs. I mean, it's so beautifully written but it's about such an un-beautiful topic. I even went on to read her story behind writing this novel and saw that it hits close to home, so she definitely had a lot of insight when it came to this book.
I felt so bad for Kristina the entire time. Her father cared about her so little and seemed to even encourage her in a way to life a party lifestyle. He just didn't care at all. Kristina's mother was so sweet and so caring, kind of the opposite of her father. It just seemed like she had such a wonderful life until she turned to drugs, and then it kind of spiraled out of control, which I guess is exactly what happens to drug addicts. I'm definitely going to be reading more of Ellen Hopkin's novels in the future.
One thing I like about this book was that it dealt with darker topics: drugs. I mean, it's so beautifully written but it's about such an un-beautiful topic. I even went on to read her story behind writing this novel and saw that it hits close to home, so she definitely had a lot of insight when it came to this book.
I felt so bad for Kristina the entire time. Her father cared about her so little and seemed to even encourage her in a way to life a party lifestyle. He just didn't care at all. Kristina's mother was so sweet and so caring, kind of the opposite of her father. It just seemed like she had such a wonderful life until she turned to drugs, and then it kind of spiraled out of control, which I guess is exactly what happens to drug addicts. I'm definitely going to be reading more of Ellen Hopkin's novels in the future.
I started reading this late at night after just just deciding to pick it up and was thrown into a world of what seemed like peer pressure driven by lust and desire. The life of a teenager. Kristina is a straight A student you think she'd be perfect but then there's her inner being, Bree who seems to make Kristina disappear and change. Then everything turns into a downward spiral.
I absolutely loved the book; the the story of a life seeming to be destroyed by what she calls the "monster" brought me to tears... for Kristina, and anyone who has learned about the true feeling of addiction through experience or through someone else's story.
I absolutely loved the book; the the story of a life seeming to be destroyed by what she calls the "monster" brought me to tears... for Kristina, and anyone who has learned about the true feeling of addiction through experience or through someone else's story.
In one word: powerful.
I had been recommended this book in high school. I am clearly very glad I waited until now to read it. I had a lot of challenges in high school (none drug related) and reading this book then would have torn me apart. Maybe that’s what good books are supposed to do.
I was still torn apart, but could read parts of this book with a degree of separation that would not have been there in high school. I was still torn apart but not completely devastated. Still, this book was mesmerizing and powerful. The format was intriguing and the cadence to the words really drove certain parts of the story home.
I had been recommended this book in high school. I am clearly very glad I waited until now to read it. I had a lot of challenges in high school (none drug related) and reading this book then would have torn me apart. Maybe that’s what good books are supposed to do.
I was still torn apart, but could read parts of this book with a degree of separation that would not have been there in high school. I was still torn apart but not completely devastated. Still, this book was mesmerizing and powerful. The format was intriguing and the cadence to the words really drove certain parts of the story home.
this was a superrrrrr heavy read. I didn't always enjoy the free verse that it was written in. At times it was fine and powerful but a lot of the time I found myself bored when I wanted more. I've seen a lot of people shame the main character because "nobody forced her to take drugs" but since this is a story that actualllyyy happened to the author's young daughter I wouldn't feel comfortable agreeing with that take? I think that for a YA book with serious subject material like addiction and all that it influences, this isn't the book to be banned. Let teenagers read books that challenge them! Even if it's scary and even if they never come across it personally.
To call this garbage would be too much praise. I understand the appeal of a scared straight type of story, but after years of hearing hype for this particular book, I expected it to actually be good. The dialogue was laughable, the homophobia was grating, the teen pregnancy was glorified...basically it's Twilight with drugs. In verse.
Kristina and Bree are the same person, yet they live two different lives.
Kristina is who she is on good days.
Bree is who she is when the monster isn’t around.
Kristina and Bree battle the monster and the effect the monster has in both their lives, and her families lives.
This is a great novel to discuss social issues in the 9th grade. Right around the time kids are starting to become exposed to different social circles and the activities that are in those different social circles. Discussing the affect “monsters” can have going off of this book is perfect for bringing awareness to young adults. I’d suggest implementing a lesson plan where students pick a social issue they saw in the book, whether it was using drugs, the absence of relationship with the father, or going beyond to the scene where she had sex. Writing more in-depth about these issues and connecting it to issues that are relevant is a great way to think more critically about the book itself.
Kristina is who she is on good days.
Bree is who she is when the monster isn’t around.
Kristina and Bree battle the monster and the effect the monster has in both their lives, and her families lives.
This is a great novel to discuss social issues in the 9th grade. Right around the time kids are starting to become exposed to different social circles and the activities that are in those different social circles. Discussing the affect “monsters” can have going off of this book is perfect for bringing awareness to young adults. I’d suggest implementing a lesson plan where students pick a social issue they saw in the book, whether it was using drugs, the absence of relationship with the father, or going beyond to the scene where she had sex. Writing more in-depth about these issues and connecting it to issues that are relevant is a great way to think more critically about the book itself.
Great book! Different style of writing that I'm not used to reading. But I love this book and can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Another one I wish I had read in high school!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reading through the banned books list is killing me. I am trying to think about how I can start a book club with high schoolers without stepping on the HS librarian’s toes