Kristina's story
Begin with Crank; the emotional and family consequences build directly across all three books.
Reading order
How to Read the Crank Trilogy
Read Crank, Glass, and Fallout in numbered publication order. Glass continues Kristina's story, while Fallout moves forward to show the lasting effects of her addiction through three of her children.
The shifting narrators in Fallout are intentional, not a separate spinoff. Simon & Schuster's complete set confirms that these three novels make up the full trilogy.
Sources: Simon & Schuster's official Crank Trilogy page, Simon & Schuster's official complete boxed set.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Simon & Schuster recommends the trilogy for ages 14 and up. These are intense novels about meth addiction and its consequences, with strong language, explicit drug use, sex, sexual assault, teen pregnancy, neglect, abusive relationships, incarceration, homelessness, and family trauma. The verse format can make the pages move quickly, but it does not make the subject matter less mature.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1099
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2004
Crank
A perfect daughter spirals into chaos after meeting a dangerous addiction.
537 pages· 34,497 words· Est. 3 hour read
Paperback
Summary: Kristina Snow, a model student, vanishes during a visit to her father, replaced by her daring alter ego, Bree. Bree's encounter with a boy introduces her to crank, a drug that promises ecstasy but delivers torment. As Bree's life unravels, she battles for control over her mind and soul. Can she escape the grip of addiction, or will it consume her entirely? This gripping tale, told in verse, explores the harrowing journey of a girl caught between two identities and the monstrous lure of drugs.
In reading order
Crank Series
3 books · Published 2004–2010
#1
Sale price
$1099
Crank
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2004
A perfect daughter spirals into chaos after meeting a dangerous addiction.
#2
Sale price
$1398
Glass
Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2007
A mother battles addiction's grip, risking everything for a fleeting sense of control.
#3
Sale price
$1797
Fallout
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2010
Three siblings confront their mother's addiction and their own struggles to break free from its grip.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Crank series?
There are 3 books in the Crank series. It began with Crank in 2004, and the newest book, Fallout, was published in 2010.
What order should you read the Crank books in?
Start with Crank and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.
What ages are the Crank books best for?
The series is best for ages 14–18, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Crank book is the longest?
Fallout (Book #3) is the longest book in the series at 75,679 words (665 pages).
Which Crank book is the shortest?
Crank (Book #1) is the shortest at 34,497 words (537 pages).
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