Genre: Young Adult, Poetry, Family Life, Social Issues
Order Online: Amazon.com
Author Info: Website | Goodreads
Rating: 4 stars
Borrowed from the library.
In A Nutshell:
Every time I start one of Ellen Hopkins' novels I know I am in for quite a ride. Crank
was no exception. Because the topic is so heavy, it is hard to say I loved it--but I am glad I read it and cannot wait to read more!Review:
Ellen Hopkins' novels are always hard for me to read and review. Her style is so different from any other author I have read. Her poetry allows her to get to the heart of the matter, to get inside the head and heart of her characters without having to be concerned about grammar and sentence structure. It feels very raw, very emotional, and very real.
But her stories are not light-hearted or easy to read. She addresses issues such as addiction and rape head on. While I appreciate her honest and open handling of these issues, it is not always easy to read.
I think what scared me the most when I read most when I read Crank
was how quickly and how completely the monster took over Kristina/Bree's life. We get glimpses of her life before--and it seemed fairly normal. But suddenly she met the monster and it ended up taking over her life. As a parent, I find myself asking what could I do to stop this situation from happening to my daughter? We get mentions that Kristina was struggling with Bree before she ever went to her dad's house, but that is one thing that we did not learn more about as Kristina/Bree fell deeper and deeper into the grasp of the monster. I am hoping that in the next installment we can learn more about that struggle--how did it start and does she eventually conquer it?
Recommendations:
I already have the next book on reserve at the library!
This book allows me to see what other authors thoughts were on both Crank
and Glass. I cannot wait to be able to read it! 
I love all her books just because of her poetry form writing. It is raw and gritty and in your face. She doesn't hold back. I think of this book every time my kids go bowling.
ReplyDeleteThe whole series is superb and what caught me by surprise is they are marketed toward teens with what I thought may be too graphic, but who knows?
I love these books. I love Ellen Hopkins - I've read all of her books!
ReplyDelete@insomnia I agree they are very graphic but I think that may be better for teens. Teens need to see that while drugs can be seductive or alluring, they are dangerous, they destroy lives, they ruin dreams. I think Ellen Hopkins does that better than anyone else I have read.
ReplyDelete@Kary I am working towards reading them all! :)
One of my 2012 resolutions is to try one of her books. I've liked everything else you've recommended so far :)
ReplyDelete@Jen I predict that one of her books will take you about an hour (maybe less). :)
ReplyDeleteI have seen her books in audiobook but I have been hesitant because I really feel that I would miss something by not seeing her poems. She uses words to literally paint a picture--I cannot see how that would translate in an audiobook.
Sadly I haven't read any of her books yet, but your review sounds promising. I can't wait to check this one out at the library. I agree that books like this are hard to read, but they are so engaging.
ReplyDelete@Vanessa I have another couple of her books on my TBR pile right now--and I can't wait. Her books always keep me enthralled. :)
ReplyDelete