Alias

by Mary E. Ryan

While researching a school report on the Vietnam War, Toby Chase discovers that his mother is a wanted fugitive, a fact that explains why they move to a new city and change their names every few months.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Jasmine C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the unknown circumstances that Toby's mother was currently in. I rarely read book's that have a mystery as the main focus for the plot, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed guessing as to what happened to Toby's mother. I liked the dreams that were included in the book towards the start, I felt like I was given some clues as to what was happening and tried to mull over what the significance the dreams held for them to be incorporated into the story. I couldn't come up with any circumstances that Toby hadn't already mentioned his suspension of being true, so I was surprised when the mother was revealed to be a political refugee. In the physical book that I read the synopsis didn't reveal this fact so I was grateful that I didn't read the synopsis that goodreads gave for this book because it took away some of the mystery that I liked about the plot.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I read as a kid. Interesting, but the whole time I’m just angry at the mom for dragging her kid into a life like this. Okay writing. Seems a little bit like the author needed to write a book about the Vietnam War that could be read in school—kind of like The Devil’s Arithmetic seems like a book with more of a purpose to try to engage school kids rather than to tell a real plot or anything. Won’t be keeping this one.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toby and his Mom are a little...different. First: they don't own a phone. Second: No credit cards. Toby's mom lives pretty freely. They don't have any rules except for one: Don't ask questions. Toby has never understood why, but he can't ask why. When he and his mother move to Idaho, Toby discovers something that will change not only his life, but his mother's and everyone around them.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an assignment for Language Arts and I was told to only read up the the halfway point. It nearly killed me to wait a week and not read! I would recommend this book to fans of spy novels. The only thing different is that there is little action in the book, just characters and little events to move things along. If not for this, Alias would probably be my favorite book.

[Tori]

2004- In this book, which has NOTHING to do with the television series of the same name, we are introduced to Toby Chase and his mother, who seems to change her name every time they move to a new place. Toby's always been used to the fact that he never had a phone in his home or that his mother seemed to change her hair color and place of residence on a whim. Now that he's getting older, he begins to question his mother's behavior, and gets nothing in return. It isn't until Toby and his mom move to Idaho and Toby discovers, via the Internet, who his mother really is. I have to admit, when I found it, it was sort of anti-climactic. I also felt that the book ended rather strangely, with the author trying to wrap up all the loose ends, which made the book lose realism. If you're looking for a book about a family on the run, leave this book in the dust.

[Liaken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast and interesting read that shows the life of a boy of a woman who keeps her past a secret because of her anti-war activities during the Vietnam War era.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alias is a fast and interesting read. I think that both my strong and my reluctant readers will like this one.

[Eun · Rating 5 out of 5]

read a little too real for me at some parts. That's why I liked it.

[Melissa Anguiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good recommendation for 6th graders!

[Lorena · Rating 2 out of 5]

very interesting plot and the characters are well developed and toby is a very likable character

[Kathy McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

young adult fiction-mystery genre