About the Book
Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina — she’s fearless. Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul — her life.
Discussion Questions
- How would you describe Bree? Is this the same way that Kristina would describe her? Where did Bree come from?
- For Kristina, what is the lure of crystal meth? What does it provide for her? What does it take away?
- Why does Kristina decide to keep her baby? What reasons might she have had for giving it up? Do you think she made the right decision?
- The author chose to write this story in verse. Why do you think that she chose this format? What effect does this have on how you feel about the characters and events?
- What is the overall message of this book? Do you think the story will act as a deterrent for teens who are considering drugs?
Extension Activities
- As we can see in Crank, poetry allows us to express ourselves in new and creative ways. Write a poem or series of poems about something that has happened in your life.
- Research the effects of crystal meth, or another drug you’ve heard of. Find out exactly what it does in the body, how long the side effects last, how much it typically costs, and any other pertinent facts.
- Write a short story about what you think will happen to Kristina and her baby after the events depicted in the book.
- There are several other books about teenage drug addiction, including Go Ask Alice and Smack. Read one of these other books and compare it to Crank.
Crank
Age Level:
YA Genre:
Fiction Published:
2004