Identical by Ellen Hopkins (2010, Paperback, Reprint)

Synopsis
Best known for her disturbing problem novels in verse, including CRANK, IMPULSE, and GLASS, Ellen Hopkins tackles a bevy of issues all at once with deeply troubled identical twins Kaeleigh and Raeanne. A wholesome family on the outside, with a mother running for Congress and a father who is a judge, inside is a completely different story of sorrow, alcoholism, drugs, abuse, and a seemingly unquenchable thirst for self destruction. Both Kaeleigh and Raeanne are falling to pieces, but each in her own, private way. Uniting together might make the difference between survival and destruction, but are they strong enough to handle the truth?

Key Details
Author:	Ellen Hopkins
Language:	English
Publisher:	Margaret K McElderry
Format:	Paperback
ISBN-10:	1416950060
ISBN-13:	9781416950066

Additional Details
Edition Description:	Reprint

Size
Length:	565 pages
Thickness:	1.5 in
Weight:	13.6 oz

Publisher's Note
"Perfect on the outside, but behind the Normal Rockwell facades, each holds its secrets. Dark, untellable. Practically unbelievable." -- IDENTICAL

Kaeleigh and Raeanne are 16-year-old identical twins, the daughters of a district court judge father and politician mother running for US Congress. Everything on the surface seems fine, but underneath run very deep and damaging secrets. What really happened when the girls were 7 years old in that car accident that Daddy caused? And why is Mom never home, always running far away to pursue some new dream? Raeanne goes after painkillers, drugs, alcohol, and sex to dull her pain and anger. Kaeleigh always tries so hard to be the good girl -- her father's perfect little flower. But when the girls were 9, Daddy started to turn to his beloved Kaeleigh in ways a father never should and has been sexually abusing her for years. For Raeanne, she needs to numb the pain of not being Daddy's favorite; for Kaeleigh, she wants to do everything she can to feel something normal, even if it means cutting herself and vomiting after every binge.

How Kaeleigh and Raeanne figure out just what it means to be whole again when their entire world has been torn to shreads is the guts and heart of this powerful, disturbing, and utterly remarkable book.

Industry Reviews
"Hopkins's verse is not only lean and sinuous, it also demonstrates a mastery of technique."
(07/07/2008)

"Gritty and compelling, this is not a comfortable read, but its keen insights make it hard to put down."
(08/01/2008)

"Kaeleigh and Raeanne maintain distinct voices throughout as they wrestle with psychic damage and an astonishing, devastating realization. Sharp and stunning, with a brilliant final page."
(07/01/2008)