Week 8- Keela Disterhaft

I like work from Ellen Hopkins. I haven’t read any of her adult books yet but I’ve read a few of her Young Adult books. The series I have read is called “Crank” and it’s based on a true story about her daughter. Her daughter becomes addicted to drugs and the books walks you through what it is like to experience addiction. I love the way Hopkins tells this story because you would think this was her life but it’s not. She tells the story through her daughter’s eyes and it’s amazing at the details she gives to the story.

What drew me to this book was the style that Hopkins uses. It’s not poetry but close to it. When I was first introduced to her style of writing I thought that there was no way you could tell such a powerful story without using a lot of words. Hopkins manages to do it and puts you in her daughter’s shoes as if you are there with her. Hopkins uses very descriptive words. She is a good example of how to write clear and concise. She takes out all the unnecessary words and tells such an important story.

Here’s an excerpt from “Crank”. It’s her daughter’s description of what it feel like when she’s doing drugs.  

Just Before The Drop

You know how you
stand and stand and stand
in line for the most
gigantic incredible roller
                                      coaster
you’ve ever dared attempt.

Anticipation swelling,
minute by minute by minute,
you choose to wait even
longer, to ride in the front
                                      car
and finally it’s your turn.

They buckle you in, lock the
safety bar with a jolting clunk!
Hook engaged, the chain jerks
you forward. You start to
                                      climb
Crank-crank-crank.

Cresting the top, time
moves into overtime
as you wait for that scant
hesitation, just before you
                                     drop

You know how you feel
at that instant? Well, that’s
exactly how it feels when you
shake hands with the
monster.