Perspective

"Flirtin with the Monster" is a conglomeration of essays about the works of Ellen Hopkins, most notably her popular best-sellers, "Crank" and "Glass." These books were fictionalized accounts of the struggle of Hopkins' real-life daughter with addiction to methamphetamine. In these two books, Ellen made the perspective from that of Kristina. She wanted to tell her daughter's story and hoped that she and her readers could learn from the young girl's account of her experiences with the "monster" known as crystal meth.

"Flirtin with the Monster" is presented from a variety of perspectives since it is a series of independent essays. The book is divided into two main parts. Part I contains the essays and critiques by writers and professionals of Hopkins' works and her choices in creating a fictionalized account of her real daughter's tragedy. Judge John Tatro provides comments from a judicial point of view. When...