Crank Response Questions

*Throughout the novel, you will be required to write 5-10 paragraphs in which you respond to something in each chapter or something that draws your attention and apply it to your life.

1. How would you describe Bree? Is this the same way that Kristina
would describe her? Where did Bree come from?
2. For Kristina, what is the lure of crystal meth? What does it provide
for her? What does it take away?
3. Describe Kristina's mother, father, and stepfather. Are they in any
way responsible for her addiction? Do you think that there's
anything else they could have -- or should have -- done to help
her?
4. Why is Kristina drawn to Adam? To Chase? To Brendan? In what
ways are these three similar and in what ways are they different?
How does Kristina's relationship with each one affect her? Which
boy is most harmful to her?
5. 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?
6. Why does Kristina always call crank "the monster"? How do you
think her renaming of the drug affects her attitude toward it and
her sense of responsibility regarding it? Are there other things or
people in the story that get renamed? How does this affect the way
in which they are regarded?
7. Kristina sometimes refers to herself and her life before drugs as
boring and worthless, yet at other times she seems to regard it as
something very precious. What attitude do you think is closest to
her true feelings? Do you think those around her would agree with
her assessment?
8. 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?
9. What is the overall message of this book? Do you think the story
will act as a deterrent for teens who are considering drugs?


Activities: Pick 1
1. 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.
2. Choose a drug -- crystal meth or some other drug that you've heard
of -- and research its effects on the user. 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.
3. Kristina has an alter ego who allows her to be more careless and
daring. What would your alter ego be like? Choose a name, list all
the character traits s/he would have, and list the things that s/he
could help you do. Imagine what your life would be like if you acted
more like your alter ego.
4. Write a short story about what you think will happen to Kristina and
her baby after the events depicted in the book.
5. 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.