Who Are You?
Cassandra's Reading Corner

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Nixon, Joan Lowery. 1999.  Who Are you? Dell Laurel-Leaf. New York: ISBN: 044022757

"But I have to face him, Dad---just like I did with the bear. I have to know what he looks like. And I have to know why he kept a folder of pictures and stuff about me. You understand, dont you?"

 

Kristin Anne Evans is a sixteen-year-old aspiring artist on a mission. Her latest battle to persuade her parents to allow her to attend art school has taken a backseat when police officers arrive at her home unexpectantly.  They inquire about Douglas Merson, a man who was recently attacked in his home and is in the intensive care unit at Ben Taub Hospital. Kristin has to see him even though she is taking a risk. Mr. Merson has been keeping a file on Kristin without her knowledge. She does not even know Douglas Merson.  Kristin's adventure leads to mysterious family connections and a revealing look into world she is so fond of.

 

Who Are you? is an extremely creatively written story. Nixon's focus on the art industry brings a different twist to young adult fiction. This novel includes various interesting art mysteries such as the "Mona Lisa" theft. These features add to the excitement and suspense of the story. Nixon's attention to detail and descriptive language regarding the deception in the art world seems real and significantly adds to the suspense of this mystery novel.

 

"But this painting looks so real! A good forgery is hard to detect. Forgers have developed many ways of making their work seem authentic. If its supposed to be an older painting, its baked and aged artificially-sometimes under an ultraviolet lamp."

 

Who Are you? is an extremely delightful story all teens will get hooked on!

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