Crank    by Ellen Hopkins Order:  USA  Can Pulse, 2004 (2001) Paperback Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Lyn Seippel How does a gifted high school junior become addicted to crystal meth? Can one become an addict during a summer vacation? How does the perfect daughter become the perfect deceiver? Kristina Snow's dad, whom she hasn't seen in eight years, wants her to come visit. He's never asked before so she happily catches a plane to Albuquerque. He's not the prince she remembers. He works in a bowling alley and still gets high although at seven she didn't recognize his drug use. Stuck in a hot little apartment with nothing to do, Kristina's alter ego takes over. She becomes Bree who flirts with the boy downstairs and fearlessly tries things Kristina would never consider at home. The boy downstairs becomes her first love and her drug connection. He introduces her to crystal meth and crank becomes her greatest love. Even with her description of the high she gets from the monster, her name for crank, readers keep hoping she'll pull back. When she returns to Reno and her family we sigh with relief, but there is a lot more to come. Kristina, the perfect daughter, the honor student, fights for control, but the monster holds her tighter. Written in free verse, this story of a young girl's addiction and how it changes her life and the life of her family, is both a cautionary tale and a page turning suspense. Hopkins pours her heart out on every page. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews