What do you think?
Rate this book
Crackhead
Lisa Lennox's debut novel transports us to the heart of the crack era - The South Bronx, New York, 1989.
In the late `80s and early `90s, the crack epidemic swept through inner city communities like the plague. Mothers abandoned their children and took to the street for a hit. Fathers sold everything they owned to get a taste. The crackhead was rampant. Some neighborhoods were never the same.
Enter Laci Johnson, a privileged, smart, beautiful teenage girl from across town, who teams up with The South Bronx Bitches - an infamous girl group known for chasing men and money. When the SBB becomes envious of Laci they devise a plan to destroy her life.
Finding love in the most unexpected of places, Laci turns to a local drug dealer to help save her and heal the wounds of her new addiction.
In the late `80s and early `90s, the crack epidemic swept through inner city communities like the plague. Mothers abandoned their children and took to the street for a hit. Fathers sold everything they owned to get a taste. The crackhead was rampant. Some neighborhoods were never the same.
Enter Laci Johnson, a privileged, smart, beautiful teenage girl from across town, who teams up with The South Bronx Bitches - an infamous girl group known for chasing men and money. When the SBB becomes envious of Laci they devise a plan to destroy her life.
Finding love in the most unexpected of places, Laci turns to a local drug dealer to help save her and heal the wounds of her new addiction.
222 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2005
67 people are currently reading
2875 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 12, 2017
Awesome.
March 3, 2012
This book was really good but the girls in this was ruthless they turned there so called friend Lacey out by giving her crack rolled up with weed. This is a girl who's never did either. Just put it like this she was out doing some wicked stuff. This is a must read book and there's Crackhead two (she get's Revenge)Pay Back is a mother right.
December 29, 2011
I Absolutely Loved This Story !
Can't Wait To Read Part 2 !
This Is Exactly Why I Don't Trust Bitches ! ♥
Can't Wait To Read Part 2 !
This Is Exactly Why I Don't Trust Bitches ! ♥
January 9, 2019
good drama
April 10, 2010
I don't know where to start. Honestly. There were so many mistakes in Crack Head and I don't really see why. Vickie Stringer, along with another person (that's two pairs of eyes people - FOUR eyes altogether looking for mistakes!) edited this. Stringer is an author in her own right (she also wrote a book on how to "succeed in the publishing game - how can someone take that seriously seeing how she "edited" this?) I can't understand why people don't care about the quality of a product with their name on it? I would be mortified if my name was anywhere on this book.
Which brings me to the next part - this is especially sad for me because Crack Head is a good story. With a little more experience Lennox can be a damn good author (if she finds a proper editor.)
The characters are real and relatable mostly, the story of how Laci falls into what she falls into is very real and happens all the time. "Friends" like Laci's are everywhere and we've all had to deal with them.
This would have easily been a 4 start book for me, maybe 4.5 if it wouldn't have been for the idiotic mistakes. And the fact that some parts of the story just plain old didn't make any sense. Crystal, for example, was all for what happened to Laci, she was very obvious in her jealousy and her hatred for Laci, yet, at the end of the book this is glanced over with Crystal all of a sudden, with no explanation, totally turning in a different direction for no reason. At least one of the other friends did the same thing to a lesser degree.
Here are some specific examples:
Tonette asks Dame, in the beginning of the book, if he wants her to "roll an urb"? Say what? Roll an urb? Roll a blunt? Smoke some? How do you roll an urb? I've been to lots of places in this country (and in another country) and have never, in all my years, heard this term. This isn't to say it's not out there, I don't know everything, but I doubt it is one that was used in New York in 1989. I suppose this is along the same lines as having a "pocket full of lent." I know "Lent". And then I know "lint". Is that so hard to get right? How can it be? Am I asking for too much here? Someone tell me. Because I don't think I am. These authors sell these books for about fifteen bucks a pop and I have to real about a pocket full of lent. No.
Real quick: some of the stuff Lennox added about smoking weed and crack just isn't right. Some was and some wasn't. I understand that she's probably not a crackhead but then again, neither am I and I know these things and I didn't write a book with smoking crack as the main subject. Perhaps she should have looked into this matter a little before picking up the pen.
Anyway, back to the stupid mistakes. There was at least one every few pages that I saw, some minor, some major.
Tonette's mother gets a check for her twice a month. Where does that happen? That'd be the most populated city in all the U.S. of A if that was the case. A minor, but stupid, mistake.
In another part Dink couldn't help but to "cease" the opportunity to take Laci out. Yes, "cease". I'm fairly positive that was meant to be "sieze" but hey, what do I know right?
The end of chapter 14 ends with Laci calling Quita and asking her how much money she needs. The very next page, in the beginning of chapter 15, Laci, again in what seems to be the very beginning of the conversation, Laci is asking her what's up and beating around the bush when it comes to the subject of drugs. What happened to the the ending of chapter 14? Did Lennox forget she wrote that and just started new?
'Dink took Laci's hand into his. Even after hearing it from the horse's mouth, that'
That was an actual sentence from this book on page 143. That was it. Word for word, letter for letter. A new paragraph was started with the rest of the sentence. Now you tell me how an author, two authors and at least one other person, missed this? How is it possible people?! WTF.
On page 199 the reader learns (I use that term very loosely) something about Marco and Dink that doesn't make a bit of sense at all.
I'm not an English major, nor am I brilliant. I consider myself of average intelligence. I do know this, if I were to right a book and put my name on it and expect other people to pay money for my book, I would make damn sure it was a good quality. That means proper editing. The mistakes in this book shouldn't even have been made in a rough draft. And that's sad.
Now, I'm going to continue on to the sequel since I have it here and the story was a good one. I can only hope someone pulled Lennow aside and schooled her on this or I'm in for it...... stay tuned...
Which brings me to the next part - this is especially sad for me because Crack Head is a good story. With a little more experience Lennox can be a damn good author (if she finds a proper editor.)
The characters are real and relatable mostly, the story of how Laci falls into what she falls into is very real and happens all the time. "Friends" like Laci's are everywhere and we've all had to deal with them.
This would have easily been a 4 start book for me, maybe 4.5 if it wouldn't have been for the idiotic mistakes. And the fact that some parts of the story just plain old didn't make any sense. Crystal, for example, was all for what happened to Laci, she was very obvious in her jealousy and her hatred for Laci, yet, at the end of the book this is glanced over with Crystal all of a sudden, with no explanation, totally turning in a different direction for no reason. At least one of the other friends did the same thing to a lesser degree.
Here are some specific examples:
Tonette asks Dame, in the beginning of the book, if he wants her to "roll an urb"? Say what? Roll an urb? Roll a blunt? Smoke some? How do you roll an urb? I've been to lots of places in this country (and in another country) and have never, in all my years, heard this term. This isn't to say it's not out there, I don't know everything, but I doubt it is one that was used in New York in 1989. I suppose this is along the same lines as having a "pocket full of lent." I know "Lent". And then I know "lint". Is that so hard to get right? How can it be? Am I asking for too much here? Someone tell me. Because I don't think I am. These authors sell these books for about fifteen bucks a pop and I have to real about a pocket full of lent. No.
Real quick: some of the stuff Lennox added about smoking weed and crack just isn't right. Some was and some wasn't. I understand that she's probably not a crackhead but then again, neither am I and I know these things and I didn't write a book with smoking crack as the main subject. Perhaps she should have looked into this matter a little before picking up the pen.
Anyway, back to the stupid mistakes. There was at least one every few pages that I saw, some minor, some major.
Tonette's mother gets a check for her twice a month. Where does that happen? That'd be the most populated city in all the U.S. of A if that was the case. A minor, but stupid, mistake.
In another part Dink couldn't help but to "cease" the opportunity to take Laci out. Yes, "cease". I'm fairly positive that was meant to be "sieze" but hey, what do I know right?
The end of chapter 14 ends with Laci calling Quita and asking her how much money she needs. The very next page, in the beginning of chapter 15, Laci, again in what seems to be the very beginning of the conversation, Laci is asking her what's up and beating around the bush when it comes to the subject of drugs. What happened to the the ending of chapter 14? Did Lennox forget she wrote that and just started new?
'Dink took Laci's hand into his. Even after hearing it from the horse's mouth, that'
That was an actual sentence from this book on page 143. That was it. Word for word, letter for letter. A new paragraph was started with the rest of the sentence. Now you tell me how an author, two authors and at least one other person, missed this? How is it possible people?! WTF.
On page 199 the reader learns (I use that term very loosely) something about Marco and Dink that doesn't make a bit of sense at all.
I'm not an English major, nor am I brilliant. I consider myself of average intelligence. I do know this, if I were to right a book and put my name on it and expect other people to pay money for my book, I would make damn sure it was a good quality. That means proper editing. The mistakes in this book shouldn't even have been made in a rough draft. And that's sad.
Now, I'm going to continue on to the sequel since I have it here and the story was a good one. I can only hope someone pulled Lennow aside and schooled her on this or I'm in for it...... stay tuned...
February 19, 2008
This book is about a rich girl named Laci who is trying to fit in with a group of girls called “The South Bronx Bitches” who likes to go after men and money. She starts to change and try to impress them, but it only makes the girls angrier. Then they make her doing one deadly thing, crack. Laci starts wanting to do more crack, she knows she needs help, but she don’t know who to turn to, until she meets a boy named Dink who falls for her and will do anything to help her. I enjoyed reading this book and thought it was really good.
October 21, 2014
Read this book a few months ago. I thought it was very good. I also thought it was fucked up how females can be so jealous of someone caused of their upbringings and to go as far to getting them hooked on crack to make themselves feel better. Glad she recovered and got her self straight thanks to Dink the "boyfriend" of one of the girls who was this ringleader in this whole mess. Definitely a must read. I was pissed lol but far from disappointed.
December 13, 2014
I thought the book Crackhead was a great, thought provoking story that followed Laci's introduction to crack. I'm glad she found out about her grimey crew before it was too late. It was also good to see she had positive people in her corner to help her along the way. This was a well written, realistic story that could happen to anyone. Definitely a must read that I highly recommend to all.
Read
December 9, 2008What an amazing life lesson book! I recommand this book to all young giirls dealing with peer preeasure and who is basically trying to fit in a crowd. This book teaches the reader that everyone is really not your friend and that you can over come anything .
January 24, 2011
This urban novella is too real for me. I was frightened the entire time LOL...silly as it seems, Lennox's portrayal of street life is deep and about as realistic as I've ever read - either she's a damn good author or I have one hell of an imagination.
January 29, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! It is amazing what people will do to you when they are jealous of your life. A person is just evil when they think about turning a person into an addict to get back at them. Drugs are not to be played with.
August 14, 2009
Now this book had an ending that I love, it's a must read, jealousy is a powerful tool, I'm now waiting for crack Head part 2 to arrive so I can dive on in..
December 19, 2010
THE CRACKHEAD SERIES IS THE GREATEST PAYBACK ON A FRIEND!! A GOOD SERIES!!
February 6, 2015
Lessons to be learned
A book for young people to read and learn from. What ever is given , can be taken away at any given.
A book for young people to read and learn from. What ever is given , can be taken away at any given.
October 31, 2020
Laci is a rich girl from Riverdale. She becomes friends with a crew of girls from the South Bronx. They get jealous of her and play a cruel prank by having her smoke weed laced with crack. She ends up becoming addicted. I thought this book was ok but unlike most of the reviews I found it unrealistic. Laci was rich but went to a bad school where the teachers expect students to fail? She hung out with girls who smoked weed and saw them high but didn't wonder why it hyped her up? Dink is a high level drug dealer who knows everything that is going on in the hood but wasn't aware of the tape? Smurf wasn't suspicious of Dink just leaving because he fell in love at first sight? Wouldn't he wonder if he was being set up for a sting? If you want urban lit with erotica this one is for you. If you are looking for a story that is realistic with substance I don't recommend it.
November 24, 2021
😩😩when I say this book had me stressed to the max, I mean it. My heart ached for Laci; I just could not understand why she was dealt such a crappy hand from her, “friends”. Sadly, Laci had it all but she really lacked self awareness and confidence. She fell in line with the wrong crowd and those girls were so evil. Wow! I had to stop reading a few times to gather myself but I am glad that I pushed through to the ending. Good read!
October 8, 2020
Good read,
One of the first books I read by this author I I admit it was good.!
What they did to Laci was terrible as FUCC girlscan be so cruel but it also taught me love conquers all.!
I need a part two though..!
Shaunna and Tonnette what happens to them how is smurf handling bein the big dog? Does he find happiness.
One of the first books I read by this author I I admit it was good.!
What they did to Laci was terrible as FUCC girlscan be so cruel but it also taught me love conquers all.!
I need a part two though..!
Shaunna and Tonnette what happens to them how is smurf handling bein the big dog? Does he find happiness.
June 22, 2025
Crackhead is a gritty, emotional ride that pulls you straight into the streets and doesn’t let go. Lisa Lennox did an incredible job showing the highs, the lows, and the hard truths of addiction, love, and survival. The characters feel real and flawed in a way that makes you care about them, even when they make choices that break your heart.
October 6, 2021
I just want to know why I haven’t read this earlier! So urban, ruthless, and kept me wanting more. The character development truly made me feel like I was in the South Bronx. Thank you to this author. I haven’t read a real urban book in a while and I am in tears lol Great Book!
August 7, 2023
This book is real. It shows you how envious people can be, especially your "friends". This shows laci get laced with crack by her "friends' and her road to recovery and how Dink loves her unconditionally through it all.
May 21, 2018
Very good book. Starting book 2 as we speak!!
February 5, 2021
great book
August 22, 2025
omg i loved it
February 19, 2008
Crackhead is another book based on the late 80's where the crack epidemic was a big deal. Unfortunetly Laci a mixed girl growing up in a rich town in New York seemed to be involved with the wrong crowd. She had a beautiful home and a mother who cared. Laci was the quiet girl. No one ever thought that she would get herself caught up with the wrong people.
Four girls who grew up on the rough side of New York with barely anything hated Laci for who she was and what she was going to become. Laci had everything they wanted and Laci knew it. Purposely they would pick on Laci but they took it too far. They tricked Laci into smoking crack and once she got it fired up she couldn't stop. In her mind it was weed but the other girl knew what it was. Laci didn't have a clue until they made fun of her addiction in her face. She turned to crack as the friend and her family as the enemy until she met Dink.
A well known drug dealer who had been interested in Laci from the start but his girlfriend which is Laci's friend held there relationship off. Him being a drug dealer and her being the addict you would think it would never work. Dink and Laci went out but she still continues to have sex for crack and was even going to throw away her education for it. Will she ever get through with this?...you should read it to find out!
Four girls who grew up on the rough side of New York with barely anything hated Laci for who she was and what she was going to become. Laci had everything they wanted and Laci knew it. Purposely they would pick on Laci but they took it too far. They tricked Laci into smoking crack and once she got it fired up she couldn't stop. In her mind it was weed but the other girl knew what it was. Laci didn't have a clue until they made fun of her addiction in her face. She turned to crack as the friend and her family as the enemy until she met Dink.
A well known drug dealer who had been interested in Laci from the start but his girlfriend which is Laci's friend held there relationship off. Him being a drug dealer and her being the addict you would think it would never work. Dink and Laci went out but she still continues to have sex for crack and was even going to throw away her education for it. Will she ever get through with this?...you should read it to find out!
September 12, 2011
For 200+ pages, I banged this one out in a few hours. Not much to think about and certainly just urban erotica/street lit. There's enough sex to keep it in the realm of public library versus school library but at least I know what the girls are passing around and reading.
I was a bit surprised that this plot was more substantive and a few of the characters, while not fully developed are at least relatable. The girls ganging up on Laci is par for the course but slipping her crack instead of weed because she was a vertiable "virgin" really was a bit overwhelming. Then from 0 to 60 she's doing anything for a hit yet ends up falling in love and together the two of them escape the hood. But, not without major bloodshed, violence, and backstabbing (literally and figuratively). Overall I was a bit impressed, I must say.
I was a bit surprised that this plot was more substantive and a few of the characters, while not fully developed are at least relatable. The girls ganging up on Laci is par for the course but slipping her crack instead of weed because she was a vertiable "virgin" really was a bit overwhelming. Then from 0 to 60 she's doing anything for a hit yet ends up falling in love and together the two of them escape the hood. But, not without major bloodshed, violence, and backstabbing (literally and figuratively). Overall I was a bit impressed, I must say.
November 7, 2014
My favorite era is the 80's and 90's this book gave me the Paid In Full type of vibe. Lisa Lennox's debut definitely is a page-turner. The characters were well developed and the author painted a vivid picture of the horrors of addiction. I was impressed with how the novel showed that the drug epidemic is not just an inner city situation and how addiction is very much a psychological as well as a physiological disease. Although the story line and character developments were excellent, the overall flow of the novel was a bit choppy and the sequence of events became hazy towards the middle of the story. I also felt the author should have put more emphasis on Laci's addiction and her demise. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to others; especially teenagers who are looking for acceptance.
January 8, 2015
OK Ive added her. Yea im working every day now, pretty much for the first time in 4 years! Its weird, i miss taking days out, but i had a tax bill last year for £6,500. I had to pay it on one go... that hurt... So i need to make some regular money. Although im fulltime im still home some days by 4 then try to go for a park run. Hard to keep up though, im sure the nutribullet is giving me more energy. A Bird has crapped all over my letter 'I' :( Best delete your comments once read coz if you google your name all these reviews come up. Hmm, not sure who to choose between those two. Im not mad on either of them but I would have to go with Troy, At least he smiles. Also, I saw a video of D doing a blatant rip off of Derren B. I will show you the youtube vid, its staggering these people get away with it...
Read
June 11, 2010THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A CRACK HEAD NAME LUCI SHE WAZNT A CRACK HEAD UNTIL SHE GOT IN A GROUP CALL S.B.B.THE GIRLZ KNEW SHE WAZ RICH SO THEY ASKED HER IF SHE WANTED TO COME IN THE GROUP SO SHE DID.ONE DAY THEY TOLD TO SOMKE WITH THEM SHE DINT WONT TO SO THEY TOLD HER THAT WEED WASNT A DRUG.SO THE NEXT DAY SHE ASK SHE THEY HAD WEED N THEY SAID YEA BT IT WASNT WEED THEY PUT IN THE BLUNT THEY BUT CRACK IN IT WITH THE WEED N SHE JUST GOT TO IT N HER BODY GOT TO IT SO SHE COULDNT STOP HER SLEF FROM SMOKEIN
October 17, 2009
The title of this book is very disturbing.I would guess that someone was being stupid and was tryin new things like we all do.But this book shows that you have to look out for people that are really your friends.This book shows the betrayed that a girl received and what happen to her future.Story has drama,fights,bad friends and sex.
November 3, 2011
This was a very intriguing book. It was fast-paced and a definite page-turner. The only issue I had with the book other than the multiple errors was how one day Laci was this sweet, nice girl and literally the next chapter, she all of a sudden had a smart mouth, sex appeal and stood up for herself. This book is a must-read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews