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Glass    by Ellen Hopkins Amazon.com order for
Glass
by Ellen Hopkins
Order:  USA  Can
Margaret K. McElderry, 2007 (2007)
Hardcover
* *   Reviewed by Lyn Seippel

In Crank, Kristina Snow was introduced to methamphetamines on a summer visit to her dad's home in Albuquerque. Soon it was the most important thing in her life. Crank became the monster that controlled her. The sequel, Glass, begins a year later. Kristina lives at home with her family and her new baby, who was conceived as a result of rape. The former honor student is working on her GED and as a clerk at 7-11.

Just before her baby's christening, Kristina's craving for the monster causes her do the one thing that will continue her spiral to self destruction. Complaining about her post-delivery body fat and her lack of freedom, she seeks out an old friend from whom she can make a buy. Life from inside Kristina's head is gritty and hopeless except when she rides with the monster. She understands how dangerous her actions are, but tries to convince herself that this time will be different. This time she will control the monster.

The ending is realistic. Glass lacks closure since Kristina will always be an addict, whether she is using drugs or not. Kristina tells her horrifying story in free verse. Though the suspense found in Crank is missing, Hopkins' writing is still smooth and captivating.

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