Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Hopkins, Ellen. Crank
Simon Pulsh Books: New York, New York
2004
Heart
Amazon.com $9.99
Semi-Biography

Ellen Hopkin’s graphic tale, Crank, is based on the actual accounts of her daughter’s life. In the story, the main character Kristina Snow endures lots of peer pressure from her newfound friends. On a trip to visit her father who had left Kristina and her mother, she meets a boy and he talks her into doing crystal meth, also known as Crank. Crank begins to take control of her life and even causes Kristina to create a new identity that she calls Bree. Instead of being the Kristina George Snow that was an outstanding citizen, she becomes the new sexy, sleazy, meth addict Bree. Bree begins to do whatever it takes to satisfy her cravings for the drug. After becoming highly addicted, she began to drop off socially and academically. She reaches her lowest point after she is raped and becomes pregnant at the hands of one of her drug dealers. Even after she becomes pregnant, it doesn’t completely stop her from doing crank. The terrifying tale of a teenager that takes the wrong path is sure to be a wakeup call for any teenage reader.
Crank reveals to readers the scary truths behind drug addictions and the dangers of living with a wild lifestyle. From reading this story it teaches the reader much more valuable lessons than any cautious parent could preach. Hopkins uses vivid imagery to make it feel like the events are taking place to the reader themselves. This delivers the message in a very stern and effective way. Hopkins also uses a very interesting form of characterization through Kristina and Bree. These two characters may be the same person, but in fact they are literary foils. Kristina represents the ideal teenage girl, while Bree represents a parent’s worst nightmare for a child. By using imagery and literary foils, Ellen Hopkins reveals that drug addiction leads to difficulties in all aspects of life.