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Who I'm Not
Danny has survived everything life has thrown at being abandoned at birth, multiple abusive foster homes, life as a con man in training. But when his latest "protector" dies suddenly, Danny has to think fast or he'll be back in foster care again. He decides to assume the identity of a boy who disappeared three years before. If nothing else, he figures it will buy him a little time. Much to his astonishment, his new "family" accepts him as their own―despite the fact that he looks nothing like their missing relative. But one old cop has his suspicions about Danny―and he's not about to declare the case closed. Inspired by a true story, Who I'm Not is a powerful portrait of a boy whose identity is as fluid as a river and as changeable as a chameleon's skin.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2013
14 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 31, 2022
Sagen wir es so: Es gab einen mega spannenden Punkt an dem ich mir dachte ,, Jetzt geht die Geschichte erst richtig los". Das war 2 Kapitel vor dem Ende
April 3, 2014
In August 2008, The New Yorker published a true story by David Grann called “The Chameleon” about a twenty-year-old Frenchman, Frédéric Bourdin, who pretended to be a missing teen, Nicholas Barclay, in San Antonio, Texas. Despite Bourdin’s French accent and his lack of resemblance to Nicholas, the teen’s family welcomed him with open arms, raising questions about their involvement in Nicholas’ disappearance.
This story inspired Ted Staunton to write Who I’m Not. In the book, a nameless and parentless teen has been taken on by a con man who uses him to further his schemes to steal money from unsuspecting people. At this time, the teen has been to so many foster homes and has been impersonating so many different people that he doesn’t remember his own name, let alone his birthday. When his mentor dies in an accident, he decides to impersonate Danny Dellomondo, a missing kid in Port Hope, Ontario. The book details how the teen manages to trick Danny’s family into believing the missing child is back. But by the end of Who I’m Not, you will be wondering who was conning whom.
If it wasn’t based on a true story, I would have thought that the book was too far-fetched and would have dismissed it as too unbelievable. As it is, it turns out to be a fast-paced and highly entertaining story. However, I thought that Ted Staunton followed Frédéric Bourdin’s real life story a little bit too closely, and it somewhat spoiled the book for me. The ending is quite different from what happened in real life though, which is good.
To read the full review, please go to my blog (Cecile Sune - Book Obsessed).
This story inspired Ted Staunton to write Who I’m Not. In the book, a nameless and parentless teen has been taken on by a con man who uses him to further his schemes to steal money from unsuspecting people. At this time, the teen has been to so many foster homes and has been impersonating so many different people that he doesn’t remember his own name, let alone his birthday. When his mentor dies in an accident, he decides to impersonate Danny Dellomondo, a missing kid in Port Hope, Ontario. The book details how the teen manages to trick Danny’s family into believing the missing child is back. But by the end of Who I’m Not, you will be wondering who was conning whom.
If it wasn’t based on a true story, I would have thought that the book was too far-fetched and would have dismissed it as too unbelievable. As it is, it turns out to be a fast-paced and highly entertaining story. However, I thought that Ted Staunton followed Frédéric Bourdin’s real life story a little bit too closely, and it somewhat spoiled the book for me. The ending is quite different from what happened in real life though, which is good.
To read the full review, please go to my blog (Cecile Sune - Book Obsessed).
April 3, 2016
It turns out that 'Who I'm Not' by Ted Staunton is a quick read that's unfortunately very superficial.
It wasn't that bad, I still enjoyed reading Who I'm Not, but I didn't feel connected to the characters at all. I didn't 'feel' their feelings, and I wouldn't neccessarily cared if something happened to them.
It wasn't that bad, I still enjoyed reading Who I'm Not, but I didn't feel connected to the characters at all. I didn't 'feel' their feelings, and I wouldn't neccessarily cared if something happened to them.
June 5, 2022
Read this book in one day. Not bad, not bad. Kept my attention. YA novel. I just had a day I really needed to read. Reading from the point of view of a con artist. Not what I usually read. I enjoyed it. Wouldn't super recommend it though.
November 16, 2015
This is the first time that I´ve heard about the author or read a book by him. I took it ´cause the cover of the German version looks, in my eyes, a lot better than the original does. But you can´t judge a book over its cover - and you shouldn´t.
Style and Language
Ted Staunton has a simple, plain and straight writing style which is easy and good to read. The plot itself seems to be a good idea, measured on the fact that he used a story that really happened in the US in the year 1997. So far, so good.
The only thing that I didn´t like about it, was the fact that I couldn´t get any access to the figures. It seemed like the author was doing everything to keep me at arm´s length and that’s not what I think should happen. Sure, I enjoyed the title, but for other reasons. The storyline is diversified, a lot of unexpected things happen and the main figure knows how to react and what to do in all those various situations – and is a smart boy as well. “Danny” tells the reader what he went through from his point of view and I usually like that kind of perspective. Here, not so much ´cause it kept me at distance. It was more like watching a movie without tone.
So after all that more or less depressing and sometimes a bit dull story I wasn´t prepared at all for the last few chapters, where it becomes all of the sudden very emotional and the author sends his reader on a rollercoaster where feelings run hot. After I was done with the last page I was agitated, confused and very affected - and had a thousand question marks in my head.
Characters
It becomes quite clear to the reader within the first few pages, that the main figure isn´t the boy the rest of the other characters thinks he is.”Danny” is only a chance for a young boy to escape a situation he doesn´t want to be in. But with the decision to take the identity from another boy, he throws himself into a life that is very stressful and into a family which lives with a cruel secret.
Ted Staunton shows in this novel a mother who´s addicted to drugs and god knows what else, the elder brother Ty is a human wreck filled with dope and whatever he can get and an elder sister Shan, who is eager to do everything to get the family back on track.
But after a while you can guess that something terrible must have happened in that family when that other Danny disappeared. The author leaves all those hints in very misty conditions. Yes, you know that Danny isn´t Danny and in the last scene with Gillian it is not to deny anymore. But I still don´t get, why Ted Staunton did everything to keep that distance between all his characters and the reader.
Result
Well, this book is plain average - nothing more and nothing less. And for sure, not every one´s taste will be fit by it. I expected clearly a lot more out of it. So no, I can´t really recommend it. But see for yourself. Read it if you like and get your own opinion.
Style and Language
Ted Staunton has a simple, plain and straight writing style which is easy and good to read. The plot itself seems to be a good idea, measured on the fact that he used a story that really happened in the US in the year 1997. So far, so good.
The only thing that I didn´t like about it, was the fact that I couldn´t get any access to the figures. It seemed like the author was doing everything to keep me at arm´s length and that’s not what I think should happen. Sure, I enjoyed the title, but for other reasons. The storyline is diversified, a lot of unexpected things happen and the main figure knows how to react and what to do in all those various situations – and is a smart boy as well. “Danny” tells the reader what he went through from his point of view and I usually like that kind of perspective. Here, not so much ´cause it kept me at distance. It was more like watching a movie without tone.
So after all that more or less depressing and sometimes a bit dull story I wasn´t prepared at all for the last few chapters, where it becomes all of the sudden very emotional and the author sends his reader on a rollercoaster where feelings run hot. After I was done with the last page I was agitated, confused and very affected - and had a thousand question marks in my head.
Characters
It becomes quite clear to the reader within the first few pages, that the main figure isn´t the boy the rest of the other characters thinks he is.”Danny” is only a chance for a young boy to escape a situation he doesn´t want to be in. But with the decision to take the identity from another boy, he throws himself into a life that is very stressful and into a family which lives with a cruel secret.
Ted Staunton shows in this novel a mother who´s addicted to drugs and god knows what else, the elder brother Ty is a human wreck filled with dope and whatever he can get and an elder sister Shan, who is eager to do everything to get the family back on track.
But after a while you can guess that something terrible must have happened in that family when that other Danny disappeared. The author leaves all those hints in very misty conditions. Yes, you know that Danny isn´t Danny and in the last scene with Gillian it is not to deny anymore. But I still don´t get, why Ted Staunton did everything to keep that distance between all his characters and the reader.
Result
Well, this book is plain average - nothing more and nothing less. And for sure, not every one´s taste will be fit by it. I expected clearly a lot more out of it. So no, I can´t really recommend it. But see for yourself. Read it if you like and get your own opinion.
December 31, 2018
Der Klappentext war eigentlich ziemlich vielversprechend und klang recht spannend, die Umsetzung hingegen war nicht überzeugend. Aus dem Thema hätte man wirklich mehr machen können. So war es nur eine Geschichte über den Alltag eines Jungen, der vorgibt jemand anderes zu sein.
Am Anfang weiß man nicht wer der Junge wirklich ist. Die ganze Zeit möchte man wissen, was seine wahre Identität ist. Das Ende ist dann einfach nur enttäuschend und man fragt sich wieso man sich die ganzen Seiten davor angetan hat.
Am Anfang weiß man nicht wer der Junge wirklich ist. Die ganze Zeit möchte man wissen, was seine wahre Identität ist. Das Ende ist dann einfach nur enttäuschend und man fragt sich wieso man sich die ganzen Seiten davor angetan hat.
February 10, 2019
Soo... I bought this book because I liked the cover and it was only 99ct. I didn't even know what it was about.
The protagonist is a boy, who does not know who he is and basically has no identity. He then pretends to be a missing boy, Danny, who was gone for 3 years. He gets send "back home" to "his" family in Canada and yeah well I don't wanna say too much.
I liked the book, I was expecting less but still I am not completely happy with the outcome since the story itself is brilliant.
It was a quick and easy read, only about 250 pages.
Have you heard about the book? or read it?
The protagonist is a boy, who does not know who he is and basically has no identity. He then pretends to be a missing boy, Danny, who was gone for 3 years. He gets send "back home" to "his" family in Canada and yeah well I don't wanna say too much.
I liked the book, I was expecting less but still I am not completely happy with the outcome since the story itself is brilliant.
It was a quick and easy read, only about 250 pages.
Have you heard about the book? or read it?
June 5, 2024
Wow. This book is - tough. It is hard to read about all the stuff the m.c. has gone through, as revealed in his whole worldview throughout the book. Then ending, too, is - well, not your average happily-ever-after. I confess I'm a little disappointed by that, but I guess it would have been out of keeping with rest of the story.
Anyhow, this is a really intense, gritty look at a kid whose been through it and back and how he changes, with the help of some really great side characters. I'd recommend it!
Anyhow, this is a really intense, gritty look at a kid whose been through it and back and how he changes, with the help of some really great side characters. I'd recommend it!
October 15, 2018
This book wasn't really for me. I wasn't interested at all and found my brain just wondering off while i was reading. I feel that the plot was very flat and uninteresting. It didn't really give me the feeling of being on the edge of my seat. I showed that it is hard to lose someone you love but i think that the author could have done a better job of making it more interesting.
January 4, 2018
An interesting journey with a good ending.
January 2, 2019
Somewhat predictable plot, but the exploration of WHY characters may act and react in certain ways was interesting.
October 25, 2019
An interesting story idea executed in the most clunky, boring way. Nonsensical details and characters made this book a chore to read.
January 29, 2015
Inhalt:
Ein 15-jähriger weiß nicht, wer er ist. Momentan heißt er Danny, doch er hatte schon viele Namen und ist in viele Rollen geschlüpft. Von seinen Eltern verstoßen schlägt er sich als Schwindler durch das Leben. Als Danny gibt er vor, ein vor drei Jahren verschwundener Junge zu sein. Sogar "seine" Familie glaubt, mit ihm ihren Sohn wieder gefunden zu haben.
Meine Meinung:
Der Klappentext des Buches hat mich sehr angesprochen und ich habe mir ein interessantes Buch erwartet, das mal etwas ganz anderes für mich ist. Ich habe mir Überraschungen, interessante Einblicke in die Psyche eines Jungen mit unbekannter Identität und spannende Hintergründe erwartet. Nunja, ich wurde leider ein bisschen enttäuscht.
Wenn man als 15-jähriger nicht weiß, wer man ist, wo man herkommt und wer seine Eltern sind, ist es nur natürlich, dass man etwas verkorkst ist. Ich hätte erwartet, dass Danny viel über sich nachdenkt und versucht herauszufinden, wer er wirklich ist. Doch dieser Handlungsstrang kam in dem Buch sehr kurz. Es dreht sich viel über den momentanen Schwindel, den Danny betreibt, doch man bekommt nur wenig Einblick in seine Gedanken und Gefühle. Natürlich wird es ab und zu angesprochen, aber mir persönlich wurde das zu wenig beleuchtet.
Ich empfand das Buch als etwas zu oberflächlich geschrieben. Es fehlt einfach, dass ein bisschen tiefer in die Geschichte hineingetaucht wird. Ich konnte keine Beziehung zu Danny aufbauen. Ich fand ihn weder sympathisch noch hatte ich Mitgefühl. Aber auch mit keinem anderen der Charaktere konnte ich mitfühlen, da man sie als Leser nie richtig kennen lernt.
Ich fand das Buch nicht schlecht, aber es hat mich nicht mitgerissen. Ich hatte nicht das Bedürfnis herauszufinden, wie es weiter geht und was mit Danny passiert. Es hat mich nicht mal mehr sonderlich interessiert, ob sein Schwindel auffliegt oder ob er erfährt, woher er stammt. Da es sich um ein Jugendbuch handelt, erwarte ich auch, dass das Buch zumindest indirekt eine Botschaft vermittelt. Ich konnte hier nicht wirklich eine entdecken. Ich bin mir auch nicht sicher, ob ein 12-jähriger tatsächlich viel mit der Geschichte anfangen kann.
Das Buch war leider nicht mein Fall. Es ist sicher nicht total schlecht und ich habe bei Weitem schon schlimmeres und langweiligeres gelesen. Daher vergebe ich 2,5 Sterne.
Ein 15-jähriger weiß nicht, wer er ist. Momentan heißt er Danny, doch er hatte schon viele Namen und ist in viele Rollen geschlüpft. Von seinen Eltern verstoßen schlägt er sich als Schwindler durch das Leben. Als Danny gibt er vor, ein vor drei Jahren verschwundener Junge zu sein. Sogar "seine" Familie glaubt, mit ihm ihren Sohn wieder gefunden zu haben.
Meine Meinung:
Der Klappentext des Buches hat mich sehr angesprochen und ich habe mir ein interessantes Buch erwartet, das mal etwas ganz anderes für mich ist. Ich habe mir Überraschungen, interessante Einblicke in die Psyche eines Jungen mit unbekannter Identität und spannende Hintergründe erwartet. Nunja, ich wurde leider ein bisschen enttäuscht.
Wenn man als 15-jähriger nicht weiß, wer man ist, wo man herkommt und wer seine Eltern sind, ist es nur natürlich, dass man etwas verkorkst ist. Ich hätte erwartet, dass Danny viel über sich nachdenkt und versucht herauszufinden, wer er wirklich ist. Doch dieser Handlungsstrang kam in dem Buch sehr kurz. Es dreht sich viel über den momentanen Schwindel, den Danny betreibt, doch man bekommt nur wenig Einblick in seine Gedanken und Gefühle. Natürlich wird es ab und zu angesprochen, aber mir persönlich wurde das zu wenig beleuchtet.
Ich empfand das Buch als etwas zu oberflächlich geschrieben. Es fehlt einfach, dass ein bisschen tiefer in die Geschichte hineingetaucht wird. Ich konnte keine Beziehung zu Danny aufbauen. Ich fand ihn weder sympathisch noch hatte ich Mitgefühl. Aber auch mit keinem anderen der Charaktere konnte ich mitfühlen, da man sie als Leser nie richtig kennen lernt.
Ich fand das Buch nicht schlecht, aber es hat mich nicht mitgerissen. Ich hatte nicht das Bedürfnis herauszufinden, wie es weiter geht und was mit Danny passiert. Es hat mich nicht mal mehr sonderlich interessiert, ob sein Schwindel auffliegt oder ob er erfährt, woher er stammt. Da es sich um ein Jugendbuch handelt, erwarte ich auch, dass das Buch zumindest indirekt eine Botschaft vermittelt. Ich konnte hier nicht wirklich eine entdecken. Ich bin mir auch nicht sicher, ob ein 12-jähriger tatsächlich viel mit der Geschichte anfangen kann.
Das Buch war leider nicht mein Fall. Es ist sicher nicht total schlecht und ich habe bei Weitem schon schlimmeres und langweiligeres gelesen. Daher vergebe ich 2,5 Sterne.
February 2, 2015
Mit ‚Who I am not – Von Lügen und anderen Wahrheiten’ feiert der Autor sein Debüt am deutschen Markt. Ted Staunton schrieb bereits zahlreiche Kinder- und Jugendbücher, in diesem Fall ließ er sich jedoch nach wahren Begebenheiten von der Geschichte eines jungen Hochstaplers inspirieren (Artikel „The Chameleon“, der im ‚The New Yorker’ am 11. und 18. August 2008 erschien). Mit dem Satz „Es ist einfacher, wenn ich euch erzähle, wer ich nicht bin“, beginnt die spannende Suche nach der Wahrheit für den Jungen ohne Identität, sowie für den Leser selbst. Denn Danny, so wie er sich aktuell nennt, kennt seinen wahren Namen nicht und schlüpft in jede Rolle, die ihm gerade gelegen kommt um über die Runden zu kommen. Als sich ihm die Chance bietet, als der vermisste Danny Dellomondo zu dessen Familie zurückzukehren, scheint zunächst alles perfekt. Fast zu perfekt…
Fans des Films ‚Catch me if you can’ mit Leonardo DiCaprio und auch der männlichen Leserschaft unter uns, kann ich dieses Buch wirklich nahelegen. Der große Unterschied zwischen dem Film und diesem Buch ist nur, dass der junge Protagonist tatsächlich nicht weiß, wer er wirklich ist und nicht nur zwischen den Identitäten wechselt. Das gibt ‚Who I am not’ eine nötige Würze, spürt man nicht nur die misstrauischen Blicke des Polizisten Griffin, der Danny die Geschichte des zurückgekehrten Sohnes nicht glaubt, sondern auch, dass der 14-jährige selbst einige Passagen aus seiner Vergangenheit nicht wahrhaben will.
Vor allem als der Teenager das Mädchen Gillian kennenlernt wird deutlich, wie gern er einfach ein ganz normales Leben ohne Lügen leben würde, sein Spiel jedoch bereits zu lange durchzieht und auch keinen Ausweg sieht, außer bei der Familie Dellomondo zu bleiben.
Allen Vorsichtsmaßnahmen zum Trotz, dreht sich der Spieß für Danny bald deutlich um, was für geübte Leser zwar etwas vorhersehbar ist, dem schockierenden Ende jedoch keinen Abbruch tut. Offene und spannende Fragen tun sich auf, die zwar in einem zweiten Band geklärt werden könnten, bis heute jedoch nicht in Planung ist. So kann man sich selbst ausmalen, wie es mit „Danny“ wohl weitergeht und bestürzt sein über ‚Who I am not’ – Eine fiktive Geschichte, die auf wahren Begebenheiten beruht.
Fans des Films ‚Catch me if you can’ mit Leonardo DiCaprio und auch der männlichen Leserschaft unter uns, kann ich dieses Buch wirklich nahelegen. Der große Unterschied zwischen dem Film und diesem Buch ist nur, dass der junge Protagonist tatsächlich nicht weiß, wer er wirklich ist und nicht nur zwischen den Identitäten wechselt. Das gibt ‚Who I am not’ eine nötige Würze, spürt man nicht nur die misstrauischen Blicke des Polizisten Griffin, der Danny die Geschichte des zurückgekehrten Sohnes nicht glaubt, sondern auch, dass der 14-jährige selbst einige Passagen aus seiner Vergangenheit nicht wahrhaben will.
Vor allem als der Teenager das Mädchen Gillian kennenlernt wird deutlich, wie gern er einfach ein ganz normales Leben ohne Lügen leben würde, sein Spiel jedoch bereits zu lange durchzieht und auch keinen Ausweg sieht, außer bei der Familie Dellomondo zu bleiben.
Allen Vorsichtsmaßnahmen zum Trotz, dreht sich der Spieß für Danny bald deutlich um, was für geübte Leser zwar etwas vorhersehbar ist, dem schockierenden Ende jedoch keinen Abbruch tut. Offene und spannende Fragen tun sich auf, die zwar in einem zweiten Band geklärt werden könnten, bis heute jedoch nicht in Planung ist. So kann man sich selbst ausmalen, wie es mit „Danny“ wohl weitergeht und bestürzt sein über ‚Who I am not’ – Eine fiktive Geschichte, die auf wahren Begebenheiten beruht.
December 10, 2013
I had never heard of Canadian author Ted Staunton until I noticed he was one of the authors in the "Seven" series that I am currently reading. When I noticed this book, his name caught my eye and the plot reminded me of a previous book I'd read plus some true cases I'd heard of though this sounded like a different take on the return of a kidnapped child and I was intrigued. Going into an author for the first time one never knows what to expect and I found myself hooked by the first chapter. "Danny' for want of a better name, is a street-smart, cocky kid, a born con-man and yet from the beginning we sympathise with him not only because of his rough life but because he is a genuine person under the veneer. We understand what he gets out of his dupe and wonder, just like him, what else is going on here; is he being duped himself? Danny is way in over his head and the story becomes quite the intense mystery/thriller with a shocking tragic ending which comes totally out of nowhere. Not how one usually expects a YA novel to end. I found the writing to be brilliant, it kept me glued to the pages, the story was impressive and there was no writing down to the audience just because the main characters were teen-aged. This is quite readable by teens and adults alike. Staunton seems to have written mostly books for younger audiences to date and I'd certainly like to see more of this calibre from him. Good realistic teen fiction suspense!
March 4, 2014
usually, in a book, the first character to be introduced is the protagonist. in Who Im Not, it was the complete opposite, because we have no idea who he is until the very end, which makes for a very interesting story. Dany/Frank/Adam is everyone and no one, and that's what makes him so intriguing, because not even he knows who he really is, so the entire time, you're thinking, 'it this him, or is it an act?' what made it even more incredible was that it was based on a true story, i mean, in a story, yeah, it sounds plausible, but in real life? holy crap, that would have had to be impossible. i loved how Danny adapted to living with 'his family' and how some of his 'family' members, even though they knew that Danny was dead, murdered by his own brother, kept up his deception, even going into denial about his death. the ending was quite uplifting for a story like this, which added a nice sort of spin to the ending, because usually, he'd either get caught or killed or something, or he would settle down with a proper family and eventually change his ways to become a nice, respectful, law abiding citizen ( and that would have sucked). overall, it was a nice, short, light, brain candy kind of book that i would definitely recommend.
May 21, 2015
A kid who gets wrapped up with a con artist gets a second chance when an accident forces him into the limelight (so to speak). In order to prevent getting into trouble with the law, he claims the identity of a missing boy and suddenly finds himself shuffled off back to the home of someone he really isn't.
I found this a very honest book and Danny's character could have been a very real person. I believe I formed quite an emotional attachment to him even though it is a fairly short book. The book caused me to explore what I might do in a similar situation. It is loaded with a feeling of being in a catch-22. You can tell the truth about your identity and ruin the lives of these people once again, or you can run and leave them wondering why you left. Either way, the story is not destined to have a perfect happy ending.
This would be an excellent book for struggling readers or readers who just like a good story. The content is pretty clean especially when compared to other books for young adults now. A great story and one that I would recommend many times over.
I found this a very honest book and Danny's character could have been a very real person. I believe I formed quite an emotional attachment to him even though it is a fairly short book. The book caused me to explore what I might do in a similar situation. It is loaded with a feeling of being in a catch-22. You can tell the truth about your identity and ruin the lives of these people once again, or you can run and leave them wondering why you left. Either way, the story is not destined to have a perfect happy ending.
This would be an excellent book for struggling readers or readers who just like a good story. The content is pretty clean especially when compared to other books for young adults now. A great story and one that I would recommend many times over.
January 3, 2014
Danny is a kid who has been in the foster care system his entire life until he gets a new "protector" Harley. Harley is a grifter, a con-man, who teaches Danny scheme after money making scheme. When Harley dies suddenly in the midst of a con Danny is back with Child Protective Services and terrified that he'll be put back in the foster care system. When left alone for a while to collect his thoughts Danny finds a missing persons bulletin on a boy gone for 3 years and determines to take his identity.
Will the new family accept him? Will he end in foster care? How does he explain the different eye color, the lack of scars? Will he survive the lie?
This is a gripping book that had me rooting for Danny but appreciative of the fact that the author didn't give us a tidy ending, because what life is really tidy?
Will the new family accept him? Will he end in foster care? How does he explain the different eye color, the lack of scars? Will he survive the lie?
This is a gripping book that had me rooting for Danny but appreciative of the fact that the author didn't give us a tidy ending, because what life is really tidy?
October 7, 2015
This book tackles the topic of defining one self while telling the story of a teenager who pretends to be someone else because he doesn't know who he is.
In the course of the book, he learns to define himself and builds himself a self he might actually like.
The novel is written well, it's easy to read and I couldn't stop reading it. Its moderate length makes it a good read for a day or two, it's not at all hard to concentrate or a demanding book.
The character's uncertainity was interesting, but I felt like I didn't get to know him at all, I don't have an exact picture of him.
Although there is a hint of a romantic subplot, it's not important in the end and luckily not corny.
Still, it was too short for me. I didn't get a picture of the characters, and the secondary characters weren't outlined or defined, either.
In the course of the book, he learns to define himself and builds himself a self he might actually like.
The novel is written well, it's easy to read and I couldn't stop reading it. Its moderate length makes it a good read for a day or two, it's not at all hard to concentrate or a demanding book.
The character's uncertainity was interesting, but I felt like I didn't get to know him at all, I don't have an exact picture of him.
Although there is a hint of a romantic subplot, it's not important in the end and luckily not corny.
Still, it was too short for me. I didn't get a picture of the characters, and the secondary characters weren't outlined or defined, either.
October 28, 2013
A teenage boy, Danny, is immersed in a life that is not his own when his custodial companion is killed accidentally in a crime game gone wrong. Being that of a minor and not knowing who he truly is, he impersonates a missing child in order to flee from further trouble. The family of the missing child takes him in despite any misgivings and accepts him as part of their family. However, one person in the community is not convinced of who he is, Griffin, a former detective assigned to the original missing child case. Griffin approaches Danny about his notion and when Danny doesn’t flee Griffin exploits Danny to try and solve the original case. The story was intriguing and left me wondering and wanting more. Reality is in the eye of the beholder, often we long for the unattainable.
April 6, 2015
in dem buch geht um einen jungen der früher viele dumme dinge getan hat als er bei einem unfall von der polizei aufgegabelt wird sagt er er wäre danny dellomondo ein seit 3 jahren vermisster junge ,natürlich wird er dann zu seiner "familie " gebracht doch langsam aber sich er holen ihn seine lügen ein und er sicht sich nicht sicher wer hier wen täuscht .
ich habe nach den ersten 2 kapitel fast das buch einfach liegen gelassen aber ab dem 3 kapitel fand ich es aber dann doch spannend aber man hat viel zu schnell meiner meinung nach hinweise bekommen was mit dem echten danny passiert ist es ging mir einfach viel zu schnell man hätte meiner meinung nach noch so viel mehr aus der geschichte machen können und deshalb gibts nur 3 sterne
ich habe nach den ersten 2 kapitel fast das buch einfach liegen gelassen aber ab dem 3 kapitel fand ich es aber dann doch spannend aber man hat viel zu schnell meiner meinung nach hinweise bekommen was mit dem echten danny passiert ist es ging mir einfach viel zu schnell man hätte meiner meinung nach noch so viel mehr aus der geschichte machen können und deshalb gibts nur 3 sterne
November 25, 2013
I really enjoyed this read. It was fast paced and clever. However, the ending leaves a lot to be desired. I'm not talking about the literal last few pages,which are fine, but rather the non-resolution of several major questions in the book. Ty says Danny is not dead before offing himself. So was he actually murdered or is he out there somewhere? Who in the family knew the truth? Did Adam ever discover his real identity?
Without a sequel I'm left hanging.
Without a sequel I'm left hanging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 22, 2015Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: Giant Teen Face...Sweet Jesus!
Drinking Buddy: Fiddle Game
Testosterone Level: The Spanish Prisoner
Talky Talk: There's One Born Every Minute
Bonus Factors: Librarian, Canada
Bromance Status: The Guy Who Showed Up Right When All That Stuff Started Disappearing
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Giant Teen Face...Sweet Jesus!
Drinking Buddy: Fiddle Game
Testosterone Level: The Spanish Prisoner
Talky Talk: There's One Born Every Minute
Bonus Factors: Librarian, Canada
Bromance Status: The Guy Who Showed Up Right When All That Stuff Started Disappearing
Read the full book report here.
December 19, 2015
So I had the chance to meet the author, Ted Staunton, and I though I'd give this book a try. Interesting premise but I feel like the ideas weren't fully developed and it just left some loose ends. Also, I'm not a fan of books this short. There were also a couple details that just seemed very improbable which I don't like.
Probably a 2 star book but I'm bumping it to a 3 star rating for the cool cover and because Ted is very nice.
Probably a 2 star book but I'm bumping it to a 3 star rating for the cool cover and because Ted is very nice.
October 22, 2013
The story of a boy who has been working the con game with an adult, Harley, when everything goes wrong. Harley is killed and the boy takes on a stranger's identity to try to get out of trouble. I think the first 3/4's of this book is pretty well-written but the last suffers from a feeling of "How am I going to end this?" Some language, underage drinking and drug use.
January 30, 2016
After spending his early years shuffling between foster homes, 15-year-old Danny is sold to a con artist. He and Harley spend years on the road where he learns to lie, cheat, steal and scam others. Read the rest of my review on my blog: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.c...
May 6, 2014
Growing up with a scam artist, and depending on identity theft to survive the main character of this novel has trouble keeping track of what parts of him are real. Struggling with identity is a common trope in YA literature but this plot is full of little twists that keep it interesting. An attention grabbing story for reluctant readers.
August 28, 2014
I did think the story was enjoyable and very interesting. Although there is some sort of tense mood in the book, it didn't last as long as I would have liked. I felt that the character development could have been a little bit better so that the audience could be more emotionally connected and in tuned with them as the protagonist felt.
February 23, 2016
I'm not 100% sure if I liked this book or not. I liked parts of it, parts were uncomfortable. And I wasn't a big fan of the ending... I like books to be more resolved. But the writing was enjoyable, the story captured my interest, and the main character was likable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2015
well, pretty good story, but not entirely believable. the reader is on the kid's side, though, and wants him to be believable, so the author does capture your interest & elicits an emotional response.
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