I'm Not Who You Think I Am

Thirteen-year-old Ginger Shaw faces a frightening situation when a woman named Joyce becomes fixated on her. The stalking begins after a chance encounter at the local library, where Joyce mistakes Ginger for her deceased daughter. With her parents temporarily away, Ginger must navigate increasingly dangerous encounters with Joyce and her brother-in-law. The situation escalates as Joyce's attempts to make contact become more aggressive and unpredictable. The story moves at a swift pace through suspenseful encounters and close calls, building tension as Ginger tries to protect herself while dealing with limited adult support. The events force her to make difficult decisions about trust, safety, and how to handle a threatening situation. This young adult thriller explores themes of identity, personal safety, and the vulnerability of young people in dangerous situations. The novel raises questions about trust and serves as a cautionary tale about maintaining awareness of one's surroundings.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced mystery that keeps middle-grade students engaged. Many report finishing it in one or two sittings due to the suspenseful plot. Readers appreciated: - Quick pace that holds attention - Realistic portrayal of a 13-year-old protagonist - Clear writing style accessible to reluctant readers - Messages about family relationships and trust Common criticisms: - Some plot points felt predictable to adult readers - A few reviewers found the resolution rushed - Secondary characters could have been more developed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "Perfect for students who want mystery without violence or gore," noted one teacher reviewer on Goodreads. A parent reviewer on Amazon praised how it "kept my reluctant reader interested while addressing important themes about family communication." The book appears frequently on middle school reading lists and has maintained steady popularity since its 1999 publication.

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🔸 Author Peg Kehret survived polio as a child and later wrote about her experience in the award-winning memoir "Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio" 🔸 The psychological manipulation depicted in the book reflects real cases of adult predators who use false identities or emotional manipulation to gain trust from young people 🔸 Like many of her works, this book was inspired by Kehret's commitment to writing stories that both entertain and teach valuable safety lessons to young readers 🔸 The novel is frequently used in middle school curricula to spark discussions about personal safety and stranger danger awareness 🔸 Kehret has written over 50 books for young readers, earning her multiple state children's choice awards and the prestigious PEN Center USA West Literary Award