Glass by Ellen Hopkins

        Glass is the second installment of the Crank series written by Ellen Hopkins. In her first novel, Crank, Hopkins tells the story of Kristina, a straight-A student, who after a court-ordered visit to her father's, has a fall from grace that lands her on a downward spiral. Kristina gets involved with a Adam, a guy from down the hall, and tries meth amphetamine for the first time. She soon becomes addicted and transforms into Bree, her alter ego. She returns home but continues to use. One bad decision leads to another and Kristina ends up pregnant at the end of the book.
        Glass begins as Kristina is caring for her three month old son Hunter. She is trying to be a good mother and seems to be on the right track since she has been off drugs for a while and is working towards her GED. The stress of being a teen mother forces her back into the clutches of "the monster". She begins making connections and is again trapped in the cycle of drug addiction. Her home life explodes when her dad and his new girlfriend show up and take Kristina out for a night on the town right before Hunter's baptism. Eventually her mother confronts her about her abuse and kicks her out of her house. Kristina moves in with Brad, Trey(her botfriend)'s cousin. He has two young daughters and his wife left him so he hires Kristina as a nanny so she can earn her keep without paying rent. A love triangle emerges between Kristina, Trey, Brad, and his wife Angela. Kristina and Trey attempt to make it on their own but soon find living in such close quarters with the anxiety from using, isn't easy. They get involved with the Mexican Mofia, making matters worse. Kristina is practically disowned by her family and does not know where her life is headed. The book concludes leaving the reader with a few cliffhangers, wondering how Kristina's actions will imapct her.
        It is difficult at first to adjust to Hopkin's style of writing; the entire book is written in verse. However, once you get into it, the book is a quick read that you won't want to put down. Each page leaves you curious as to what happens next. Will Kristina ever break her addiction? The originality of the writing is interesting and a fresh way to read a novel. The tone of the book is quite dark. There are scarcely any positive moments, however something aout Kristina's attitude leaves the reader with hope that things will get better. This first person account is an intriguing look into the world of drug addiction that is ever present in the world, yet rarely discussed this in depth. There are several mature themes in this book and at times Kristina's world can consume you. Her transformation from Kristina to Bree is frightening because of the reality of how easily someone can slide downhill after so few wrong choices. It is somewhat disturbing but oddly fascinating. The book does not give any suggestion of how to break addiction but it clearly reveals several of the incredibly negative consequences of using. Overall this is a good book and I would recommend it to any teenager who wants a book with a deep tone and only topnotes of romance and American life.