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Jul 16, 2015
Abandoned at birth, “Danny” has lived in a series of abusive foster homes, and since then he’s been under the “protection” of a con artist, Harley. When Harley dies suddenly, Danny must quickly come up with a course of action or he’ll be placed back in foster care – and he is absolutely determined not to return to “the Bad Time”. He decides to adopt the identity of a fifteen-year-old teen who disappeared three years ago in Port Hope, Ontario. To his surprise, most of the teen’s family accepts him and welcomes him back. Danny moves in with an older sister, her husband and young son. There he does his best to adopt the persona of the missing teen and fit in. However, Danny’s “mother” and an older stepbrother are noticeably less accepting, and the police officer who investigated the disappearance three years ago is very suspicious. He always seems to be following and watching Danny. How much does he actually know … and does he have any proof? Then a crisis occurs, and once again Danny needs a new plan. Who will he become now? Readers will sympathize with Danny, a genuine, realistic protagonist who is essentially “everyone and no one”. In order to survive, he has had to look out for himself in any way possible for as long as he can remember. Who I’m Not is honest, moving and poignant. It is a work of fiction, but the author, Ted Staunton, notes that the spark for his novel came from a true newspaper account. ** Recommended for ages 11 to 15 years.