There aren’t many books anymore that I am eager to buy the hard copy of, but ‘Identity Crisis’ by Melissa Schorr was a must after reading another of her novels, ‘Goy Crazy,’ a couple summers ago and loving it.
‘Identity Crisis’ delves into so many issues, from friends and crushes to in-fighting, bullying, and the ever popular problem of figuring out how to fit in when you sorely stick out. This is due in no small part to the spread of rumors that main character Annalise’s enemies have inflicted on her.
Catfishing is the main topic of interest in this novel, and it is as prevalent and timely as can be. Cyberbullying is more and more of a problem with each new school year and each new crop of students, and Annalise finds herself the victim of it when she unwittingly spends time with Amos, another girl’s boyfriend, during freshman year. When his girlfriend, Eva, gets wind of him spending time with Annalise, she and her friends make the rest of Annalise’s freshman year almost unbearable for her. When sophomore year rolls around, the rumors are still swirling, and there is not much Annalise knows to do to make them stop. Little does she know that Cooper Franklin’s interest in her will spark another emotionally scarring attack, spearheaded by Eva but brought to fruition by Eva’s pal Noelle, who has a crush on Cooper and thinks that catfishing Annalise will somehow help her on her journey to win Cooper’s heart.
When the whole catfishing scheme is turned on its head by Annalise, who little by little discovers the truth, nothing is as it seems anymore. With twists and turns that you wouldn’t even expect, everyone, including the most unlikely of characters, finds themselves searching for their identities, or even losing them, as the novel progresses.
A gripping and sincerely telling tale of strength in the face of adversity and how realizing one’s worth can be found in the unlikeliest places, ‘Identity Crisis’ leaves readers feeling immersed in the lives of characters who are trying to find themselves while at the same time facing the angst-ridden world of being teenagers.
You can find ‘Identity Crisis’ by Melissa Schorr here.