Identical by Ellen Hopkins- ALA Banned and Challenged Book

Identical by Ellen Hopkins has been the first of her books that I read, though Crank has lived on my shelf for many years, and it blew me away.

I instantly fell in love with how Hopkins uses the full page to paint pictures with words, literally and figuratively. She uses hints in the setup of the page to warn the reader that we will be transitioning from Raeanne to Kaeleigh, such as creating a sentence out of words strategically placed to create another sentence to push readers that much further into their world.

I Have Got to Learn

to say no, and not only say

it, but mean it. In some

situations, not always

the right ones, I know,

                                      I'm strong.

Really strong. Tough,

even. I guess, in a very odd

way, I'm something of

                                       a survivor.

But there are times when,

much as I want to assert

myself, know it's the right

thing to do,

                                I can't

find the inner fortitude

to follow through with a simple

two-letter word. NO. One of

the first words babies can

                                        understand,

one of the first they learn

to repeat. No. No, Mick, I won't

let you treat me with disrespect. No,

Mick, and I don't have to explain

                                  why I

won't let you touch me this time.

Okay, so maybe I'm a little

confused. Does being in control

mean I have to cave in, have to

                                        crumble?

After a car accident involving the four members of the Gardella family, the twins' mother folds in on herself, placing family to the side and running for congress. Their father falls further and further into alcoholism and one day decides that Kaeleigh will be his surrogate wife in matters of the bedroom. Longing for Daddy's love, Raeanne purges to get the body her twin has, runs to eccentric men and loses herself in a drug-induced dance. Kaeleigh just wants love. More specifically, love from her best friend and hopeful partner, Ian.

The further into hell the sisters fall, the more readers learn about their personal struggles, and, with the help of a few strong people in her life, Kaeleigh digs up information about the crash that changes her life forever.

I recommend this book so much. I would say for mature and well-read readers due to the flow of the book and content.

Identical was challenged in Middletown, Delaware (2014) school district by a parent stating that the material was not age appropriate for students.