Crank
by Ellen Hopkins is a story in verse meaning that the entire story is comprised of poems. It's the story of Kristina, a sixteen-year-old girl who goes to spend a summer with her father who she hasn't seen in years. While there, she meets a boy who she falls in love with after he introduces her to the "monster" - meth. Kristina, now calling herself Bree, becomes addicted to the monster and continues to get high even after she returns home to her normal life with a solid family, good friends, and a bright future. As she falls deeper into her addiction, Bree battles with Kristina about how to live her life and who she should become. The verses are a bit strange and disconcerting, and the story is depressing and graphic. Read this book if you like stories in verse, if you're interested in teenage drug use, or if you want to look like you read giant books (537 pages), but you want to finish it in one or two days. I give it a 6 out of 10.
is a collection of beautiful poems by the former U.S. Poet Laureate. Collins is definitely a "poet for the people." His poetry is simple and easy to understand but so beautiful and truthful all at the same time. This is a book you can pick up and read one poem from in order to get so much from a quick read. Read this book if you love poetry, if you don't understand poetry but want to, or if you love the beauty of language. I give it a 10 out of 10.