Double Identity

(This review contains spoilers.)

I figured out from reading the jacket of the book that Bethany was Elizabeth's clone. I read the book anyway, mostly because I am an identical twin and was interested in whether the book would fall into a lot of cliches associated with clones. It does once or twice; I inwardly groaned when Bethany realizes she has the same favorite cereal that Elizabeth did. To my surprise, however, the book took great pains to avoid most of those cliches. Bethany and Elizabeth look alike and share many traits, but Bethany is not Elizabeth II. Elizabeth was deathly afraid of water; Bethany is a swimming champion. Elizabeth also has a much more bold, exuberant personality. Bethany's parents also clearly appreciate her as show more she is and do not think of her merely as Elizabeth reincarnated. The plot is tight even if the direction it is heading in is obvious and the scientific and ethical issues are handled well. The thing that made me happiest about the book was when at the end a teacher who had known Elizabeth and is now going to teach Bethany says she has taught identical twins before. She treats them as individuals no matter the shared traits. And that may be a small detail, but it's something so few authors who write about cloning bother to mention that to me it was the thing that brought the book into a higher category. show less

I really enjoy the plot lines of this author's books. The writing wasn't bad in this one either. It kept me interested the whole time and although I kind of suspected what was going on there were still a couple of twists that I didn't see coming. Overall I enjoyed it and it was a quick read.
There was one use of blasphemy.

I have read every single book by Margaret Peterson Haddix, and this book is still one of my absolute favorites, a reading stand-by that never gets old.
Bethany's parents put her in the car, drive for days, and won't answer any of her questions about what's going on. Her mother has been crying for no apparant reason for the past few months. She's frightened, and doesn't know what's going on with the parents who usually take such good care of their one and only darling. Then they drop her off at a house with a woman claiming to be her Aunt Myrlie, without saying when they'll be back. She must learn what is going on with her parents, and why everyone who sees her acts like she's supposed to be dead (note: not a living-dead book! Thought I show more should say that . . . ), and who is this Elizabeth she heard her father mention to Myrlie (i.e. "she doesn't know anything about Elizabeth")? Also, who is the man who seems to almost be stalking her, and what does he want with her parents? Bethany struggles to find answers, but the more she gets the more she doesn't know if she really wants to know the answer to her questions.
I've read this book at least five times, and I know the big ending. I still love to read it anyway. The characters are lovingly crafted and engaging, big questions are raised, and I just love the big advice theme in the novel - Don't ask why did something happen, just ask what you're going to do next. I totally reccomend this to any and all who are considering it, I think it might technically be called a thriller ('m not clear on that, thought), but it is very appropriate, the violence is practically nonexistant, and the main struggle is a phsycological one. A wonderful book all around, and maybe you'll even consider picking up one of her other books!
This review is also on my blog, at http://ireadtilldawn.blogspot.com/2014/01/double-identity-by-margaret-peterson.h....

If you're looking for other books by this author, I reccomend the Missing Series, or the Shadow Children books. [b:Escape from Memory|303073|Escape from Memory|Margaret Peterson Haddix|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347976867s/303073.jpg|2504] is another good stand-alone you might like if you like this one. show less

Haddix crafts a suspenseful tale told from the perspective of Bethany, a 12-year-old only child who is suddenly abandoned by her parents into the care an unfamiliar aunt. Bethany is left confused by her parents’ unexplained absence and discovers that, while she is unfamiliar with her surroundings, her face is not new to those around her. As mysterious details unfold around Bethany, the reader comes to realize that she is living the life of a clone. The inner conflicts she experiences as a result of this knowledge bring interesting questions into the reader’s mind about the consequences of scientific intervention. The story avoids addressing any ethical issues related to cloning; instead it focuses on the small story of one girl’s show more struggle to believe that she has an identity as an individual and not as just a replacement for a lost daughter. show less

Suspense-filled tale of soon-to-be teenager, Bethany, left at a never-before seen aunt's house in the middle of the night by her parents under suspicious circumstances. I guessed the secret early on, but the suspense continued straight up to the end.

Margaret Peterson Haddix is a wonderful story teller. This is a very suspenseful book about a girl who is mysteriously and suddenly shipped off to a relative she didn't know she had, with no knowledge of when her parents would come back. Eventually, she comes to realize that she is a clone of a previous version of herself, and does some further digging to figure out how and why, who she was before she was cloned, and what kind of person she is, as a clone of someone else.

I loved Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Shadow Children series, so I was excited to read another book by her. Double Identity did not disappoint! I was drawn to the cover because it looked mysterious and interesting. Not only was there suspense and action, but my heart also went out to Bethany as she tried to figure out who she was and what was going on. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her after she was abandoned by her parents, and she didn’t have anyone she could turn to for help. It would be so lonely without friends and family (or familiar family)! The mystery kept me guessing, and I couldn’t wait to find out why everyone was reacting to Bethany like she was someone else. What a strange feeling that would be! I have had people show more think I looked like someone else before, but no one acted spooked (thank goodness). I think this book is great for anyone who likes reads that have an edge of danger and lots of suspense. Kids in fourth grade and up will read this one as fast as they can to solve the case! I look forward to reading more books by this fascinating author. show less