(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – “Glass” by Ellen Hopkins, which can be found in the James C. Kirkpatrick Library.  “Glass” is the sequel to Hopkins first book, “Crank.”  “Glass” continues the story of a girl named Kristina and her son, Hunter, who was conceived when she was raped in “Crank.”  Kristina’s boyfriend, Trey, leaves for college and her parents kick her out of the house.  She goes to live with her friend, Robyn and her boyfriend, who pulls her back into doing meth, or “glass,” and she spirals into her addiction again.

Hopkins writes a lot of serious books with plots that a lot of people don’t talk about nowadays like rape, abuse, and addiction.  I think these are good plots because they make people more aware of how seriously drugs can damage you and affect your life.  She reminds her readers that these things do still happen, and we need to stop it.

I really like Hopkins’ writing style.  She separates her words, sentences, and paragraphs on the pages like she’s writing her stories in the form of a poem.  It is a lot different from any other book I have read.  I have never read any writing style like hers.  Here is an excerpt from the book for an example:

Walking with the Monster
Life
was radical
right after I met
the monster.

Later,

life
became

harder,
complicated.
Ultimately,
a                                         living
hell,
like                         swimming
against a riptide.

Ellen wrote “Crank” and “Glass” based off her daughter, who was addicted to meth.  Ellen personally knows how drugs can affect someone and I think this is what makes her writing so good.  A metaphor I really like in “Crank” and “Glass” is when Ellen calls Meth “the monster.”  If you want to read a serious drama or suspense book with a different writing style, I think you should consider reading this book.

Merrin Guthrie is a THRIVE intern reporting for the Muleskinner. THRIVE is a two-year program to help intellectually- or developmentally-challenged young adults build skills for transitioning from home to independence.