Books for Teens
When curvaceous Annalise Bradley’s scandalous freshman year hookup sparks the anger of her female classmates, three of them decide to get her back by "catfishing"* her, creating a fake online profile of the perfect boy to toy with her affections.
Against her better nature, introverted Noelle Spiers, goes along with her friends’ plan, hoping to distract Annalise from dreamy Cooper Franklin, her lifelong crush who has fallen for Annalise instead.
As Annalise discovers she is being played and seeks revenge, Noelle increasingly regrets her role in the cruel hoax and tries to salvage their relationship.
Told in alternating perspectives, IDENTITY CRISIS covers romance, betrayal, and timeless friendship in the age of modern technology.
VOYA MAGAZINE 2016 TOP SHELF PICK FOR MIDDLE GRADE READERS
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* catfish [kat-fish] verb: To pretend to be someone you're not online by posting false information, such as someone else's pictures, on social media sites usually with the intention of getting someone to fall in love with you.
IDENTITY CRISIS
Reviews
"As games are played both online and off, Schorr keeps readers turning the page until the truth, and real friendships, are revealed." — Sarah Darer Littman, author of BACKLASH
"For teens looking for love in all the wrong places, this social media fable is dramatized with love triangles, revenge, and rock-’n’-roll." -— Kirkus Reviews
"A fast, fun read for contemporary teen girls interested in friendship, revenge, bullying, regret, light romance, and online safety, this drama-filled novel will encourage less-inclined readers to persevere to the end. This book is recommended for public and school libraries." —VOYA Magazine
“Catfishing is used as a way to get revenge in this social-media-themed cautionary tale. Each girl's personal discoveries and growth make this a strong choice for libraries and a good discussion starter about social media and bullying.”-— Booklist
"How this melodrama plays out is unconventional and worth the read. Schorr creates a robust and likable character in Annalise … .The writing and language are fluid and blend seamlessly with the mood of the book. A solid additional purchase for large YA collections.”— School Library Journal
Identity Crisis is the perfect story for modern technology and the risk that comes with it. Schorr does a fantastic job of creating her characters and making them relatable.
— Princessica of Books
“An addicting storyline that shows the rise of the prank, the discovery, and the reconstruction of the girls' relationship … .An awesome and nail-biting plot, and the conflict is simply irresistible. Noelle is a character most readers can probably empathize with. The story is unique, and it's definitely for those who are looking for something out of the ordinary.” — YA Books Central
"Identity Crisis was the perfect story of what it's like to be on either side of the bully spectrum, and I honestly couldn't put it down. It was very honest and had a strong message shining throughout. I'm very excited to read more by Schorr in the future."— Downright Dystopian
"Extremely important and beautiful. Couldn’t stop reading, really helped me understand peer pressure and the Internet." — TeenLibrarianToolbox
Rachel Lowenstein can’t help it. She’s got a massive crush on a goy: Luke Christensen, the gorgeous star of the basketball team at St. Joseph’s prep.
But as the name implies, he’s not exactly in Rachel’s tribe. Rachel just knows her parents would never approve.
Then Rachel’s Jewish grandmother issues a stern edict––“Don’t go with the goyim!”-– sealing Rachel’s fate and presenting her with a serious dilemma.
Everyone’s got an opinion—from her annoying neighbor Howard to her newly social-climbing best friend. Should Rachel follow her heart and turn her back on her faith? Or should she heed her family’s advice and try and find a nice Jewish boy?
With an unforgettable cast of characters and razor-sharp wit, Melissa Schorr’s debut novel is an engaging comedy about a girl’s decision to go goy crazy.
GOY CRAZY
"Chock-full of laugh-out-loud irreverence. Her comically overblown hysteria keeps pages turning for every girl who's ever wanted an off-limits boy."
-- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Rachel's narrative is droll and sharp with scenes that are comical, troubling and poignantly sincere. Well-written chick-lit with a Jewish slant." -- Kirkus Reviews
