Glass by Ellen Hopkins

Glass by Ellen Hopkins, 681 pages

In her follow up novel to Crank, Ellen Hopkins continues with her story of Kristina and her battle with meth addiction in Glass.  After the birth of her son, Kristina stays clean for a little while, but she can't fight her cravings.  After landing a job at 7-Eleven, she scores some money for her new found addiction, glass.   Glass is a more powerful, purer form of meth.  Kristina's addiction proves so strong she is kicked out of her house and loses custody of her son. Finding a new love with Trey, Kristina falls into a deeper path to destruction that eventually lands her in jail. This novel was very powerful and shows how drug addiction can destroy a young life.

Tweak: Growing up on Methamphetamines, by Nic Sheff

  Tweak: Growing up on Methamphetamines, by Nic Sheff, 336 pages

This could also be subtitled 'growing up on all of the drugs,' because Nic Sheff leaves no drug unabused.  This is a brilliant portrayal of addiction- his actions are SOOO frustrating, but that is just the nature of drug abuse.  He is a likable guy, with so much potential- but going on the journey with Nic will really try the reader.  If you've never had an addict in your life, though, I really recommend reading this- I think it's a really realistic depiction.

Crank - Ellen Hopkins

Crank by Ellen Hopkins - 537 pages

All it took to change Kristina Snow's life was a trip to visit her father. Three weeks in Reno and Kristina has become Bree and begun her relationship with "The Monster". As meth leads Kristina into mind-altering and life devastating choices, her family and friends are powerless to stop her quick dive into a life of sex and drugs. Kristina's life spins out of control as she "flirts with the monster" and most readers find themselves soaring through this intense novel in a matter of hours. As with all of Ellen Hopkins' novels you will find yourself immersed and unable to put it down.