Identical (by Ellen Hopkins)
common sense media says
Thick free-verse bestseller takes graphic look at incest.
parents & educators say
- 79% say sexual content is an issue
- 71% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this young adult bestseller deals with mature subjects, including incest. Like Hopkins' other books, there is a lot of gritty material: One twin sister is sexually abused by her alcoholic father, while the other twin wishes she were the one he abused. To cope, the teens engage in dangerous behaviors, including cutting, trading sex for drugs, binge eating, bulimia, drug use (pot and hashish), and sadomasochistic sex. One twin tries to commit suicide. Parents are physically and emotionally abusive, and deliberately ignore signs of abuse. While this book can open up discussions about plenty of topics, including cutting, eating disorders, secret keeping -- and even book censorship, parents may find it useful to read the book along with their teens so they can help them through the difficult material.
Educational value:
Could open up discussions about a wide range of issues, including cutting, eating disorders -- and even book censorship. Parents who are concerned about the mature material may want to read this book with their teens to be better prepared for discussions -- and their questions and reactions.
Positive role models:
It's hard to find a real role model here, beyond Kaeleigh's boyfriend Ian, who supports her and tries to help her. But it's easy to empathize with the characters here who are struggling with a myriad of issues, including the collapse of their family.
Violence:
Several graphic descriptions of incestuous, forced oral sex. The father causes a head-on car accident. Mick yanks Raeanne's arm hard enough to leave bruises and at one point tries to physically force her to perform oral sex even when she says no. Kaeleigh cuts herself to the point where "The drain runs red" and attempts suicide by swallowing painkillers. Their father was forced to sexually pose for child pornography at age 10. Ty asks Raeanne, "How far will you go with me? . . . Will you let me draw blood?" After explaining that she is jealous of her father's incestuous relationship with her twin, Raeanne says she wishes her father "realized I want to love him the way Mom used to….If Daddy would just stand still for me, I'd happily tap his core." About her father's incest, Kaeleigh says, "What if I ask for it somehow,/ maybe subconsciously? Being brutally honest with myself it/ feels good." Kaeleigh's elderly friend shares her own experience as a child with a violent, incestuous father. Her father starts to hit Kaeleigh, then stops when a nurse threatens to report him for child abuse.
Sex:
Raeanne trades sex for drugs; she has masochistic sex with a young man she just met at a party. When a police officer pulls Mick and Raeanne over, Mick suggests Raeanne "tell him you'll give him head." The father has an affair with a younger married neighbor.
Language:
"F--k," "s--t," "piss," "dumb-ass," "bitch," "prick," "skank," "effing."
Consumerism:
Wild Turkey, OxyContin.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Raeanne trades sex for drugs; there is an entire ode to the joys of pot: "I love the way the thick smoke/ tastes, curling across my tongue/ snaking down my throat. I love/ holding it in. Coughing it out./ I love head rushes, the creeping/ warmth that follows." Later, she tries opiated hash. Their father is an alcoholic and drug addict, binge-drinking bourbon and swallowing prescription pain medication. Raeanne mixes three pills into her father's drinks so he will pass out. Their mother serves her daughters wine to the point where they get drunk. Mick drives while under the influence. Kaeleigh drinks to the point of vomiting. Raeanne says, "Dopeless sex? That could not feel good." Their grandmother is an alcoholic who deserted her family.
More on Identical
Review It
Based on 14 parent & educator reviews:
- 79% say sexual content is an issue
- 71% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
- 57% say violence is an issue
- 50% say language is an issue
Most useful reviews by all members
urmysunshine2013
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
disturbing. DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN READ THIS BOOK. PERIOD.
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kmcampbell08
parent
parent
One of my favorite books..
Ellen Hopkins is one of my favorite authors. She deals with real issues, even if they aren't warm and fuzzy. Her books are realistic and informative for teens. Parents, if you're worried about your child reading this book, don't be. I recommend you read it first and then discuss it with your child along the way. It's a great way to open up a discourse with your child about difficult topics. Sheltering your child is never healthy, and whether you realize it or not, your child already knows more than you think about these issues. Afterall, just because your child reads about the inappropriate things that take place in this book, doesn't mean that they are going to go out and immitate them.
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JulieKay
adult
adult
ADORE IT.
This book was beyond hard to read discutsting, disturbed and almost regretful. But it was so discriptive in a beautfiul way. You must aknowlage the amazing story line and ingenious ending as well as Ellen Hopkins enticing dialouge. I'm 15 and I have read most of Ellen Hopkins' books. (Crank, Glass, Burned, Impulse.) And this is very heart wrenching if you are a sensitive reader. I'd advise you read the other books if so.^^(Ones listed.) This was one of the best books I have read in a while. Not only is this book well written, it teaches lessons. I have learned so many lessons just from reading about them, as if I had experienced them my self.
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hyungteo
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Great book (:
I read this when I was a freshman. I had already been into Ellen Hopkins, and this is the last book I got around to reading. It deals with a huge range of problems. Maybe parents don't think this is age appropriate but I found it incredibly educational. Maybe you don't want your children exposed to such serious issues but...why not? There are teens out there who live lives like these. This is showing the real world. I'm glad that I can understand situations like this, I am glad I am not ignorant. I understand the themes discussed in the book. I learned most of what I know of drugs and sex from books without any firsthand experience. Isn't that the best way to learn? There will be teens out there who will find it to be a bit too much, and I understand that. Teens like that will probably put down the book. Trust your child's judgement. Ellen Hopkins accurately portrays real, extreme situations that one will have to understand at some point in their life.
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zerealevilcelery
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Ok...
This is foshizz one of the best books I've ever read and I spend probably 6 hours a day reading if that tells you anything. The sexual content is there and somewhat described but not beyong the point that most young teens are aware of. The bad rolemodels are everywhere but not unrelatably. I am a 14-year-old honors student but I know an abundance of people who are like the characters. It is about the maturity and I say again, the book won't kill them. You know your child and their maturity. You could read it first or read it with them, discuss it with them, whatever. Just because the concepts involved sound terrible, it doesn't exactly make the book toxic.
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LexiLyric
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Very good, but you must be mature
It's a really good book, but you have to be mature to appreciate it, and realize that stuff like this can happen, I would say you shouldn't be any younger that 14 just because it is a very mature book. It's written in free-verse and the book shows things people will do for drugs sex and money.
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NorthernNights
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
I didn't really like it, it depressed me
What on earth has Ellen Hopkins been through! Geeze!
Nothing agents her but it made me feel gray.
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quinna.winna@g ...
parent of and 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 year old
parent of and 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 year old
not good at all for anyone. even adults.
wayyy way too heady for our family. too serious and i dont see anything good out of it. i don't even want to read it.
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kayy33
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
its so unique
I love her books. ive read most of her books and shes just amazing, she gives such detail not too much but enough. she shows manyy points of veiws it is jst amazing. i am always eager to read her other books. this book is so amazing at first i was confused but it is like a puzzle peices that make the big picture. at the end a big huge shocking surprise.
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CoffeeTable
adult
adult
Inapropriate for under 15
I personally enjoyed it.
A big plot twister on the end which i got, but one of my students (grade 12) who read it did not.
It is true to Ellen Hopkins’ other books which if you have read, will understand but not one of the first of hers I would recommend to someone who has never read her content. (First suggestion would be Crank)
The interest between the main character and her father is somewhat disturbing but not described in Detail. And having the main character at the age of 17 I would only suggest to kids that age and older to read this book if certain content makes them uncomfortable.
There is Major drug use that gets progressively worse but the experience from them is not described in detail, just the feelings and the after-effects. Sex is exchanged and bullying from other peers is instigated.
Over all, I thought it was great after having read the whole thing, but parts and passages are not for the young or someone who has not read this type of book before at all.
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m.miaa
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
LOVE IT
This is the best book I have ever read, I loved it so much I'm going to read the rest of her books. Yes, it was a little inappropriate at times but it only got me thinking how much disgusting it was, especially the cutting and throwing up parts, and made me not want to even think about doing it. It was definitely a page turner and I recommend it for anyone 14 and up as I am 14 going on 15 this week and I read it a few months ago.
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FreeMinded
adult
adult
Love it:) It was Good...I am 14 and I think it can be recommended for ages over 14 not under. Because the first Ellen Hopkins book i read was Impulse it was a little too much. This book is my favorite so far!
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s.diotte
parent of 17 year old
parent of 17 year old
An interesting read, but for older teenagers.
It was a good read, but not a very good example of how to handle difficult situations such as abuse. Also doesn't show negative side of drug and alcohol abuse.
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fresa
adult
adult
most kids know everything by age 14
this book is apropiatefor for them and up
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smnicole93
adult
adult
iffy even for 14
it's a very good book, if you trust your child, sometimes it gets somewhat detailed about certain situations. if your child is 14 or under i suggest the best way to find out if you child should read THIS book is to read it for yourself.
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loverrr
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Ellen Hopkins makes her books better and better!
This book is soooo good. Ellen Hopkins writes books, that once you start them, you won't be able to put them down. I have read all of her books and I started reading them when I was 11. They all contain drugs, sex, violent scences, language, but I was mature and I'm 14 now and now that I see friends and people with drug issues and abuse, I understand better, it really opened my eyes and made me aware. I think this and any of her books are good for 12+!!!
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ResidentEvilPotter
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
Brutally Honest
Great, fast read. Mature teens can handle.
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JacquieJonas
adult
adult
I really did like this book a lot, I have read it twice and I keep wanting to go back to it. I am 17 and I do believe that is a book for a more mature crowd...To parents: Do not let your younger children read this because it is not a positive message but it does give an understanding to older teens.
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