Review: Somebody, please tell me who I am

Somebody, please tell me who I am

By: Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Release Date: February 7th, 2012

Source: ARC given from publisher for review

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Ben has always had it pretty easy--with no acting experience, he landed the lead in his high school musical, and he's dating the prettiest girl in school. Haunted by memories of 9/11, he makes the decision to enlist in the army--with devastating consequences. Somehow nobody ever thought Ben would be one of the soldiers affected, but after his convoy gets caught in an explosion, Ben is in a coma for two months. When he wakes up, he doesn't know where he is, and he doesn't remember anything about his old life. His family and friends mourn what they see as a loss, but Ben perseveres. Although he will never be the person he once was, this is the story of his struggle and transformation.

-Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

This book was really close to home for me because I have many very close friends that are in the armed forces.  So when I got this book in the mail I was very hesitant on reading it.  I knew that this was going to be very hard for me to read, but I am really glad that I did.

Ben wants to be different.   He wants to do something that everyone he knows is not doing.  He signed up for the army.  To normal people this might be something that everyone does, but to this family this really doesn't happen.  His family is not happy with his decision but they are going to support him.  He goes through boot camp fine and he is ready to make the trip home but then they are told that he is going to Iraq.  The one place his family feared that he would go.  But he is ready for it.  He wants to go.  

While there the worst thing imaginable happens.  Ben gets hurt....really hurt.  But there is one thing that his family never thought would happen, Ben doesn't remember how he is or who is family is.  This is the one thing that I fear the most with my friends that are over seas fighting for my freedom.  I hope that I never have to go through that.  

I personally thought this book was good.  It was a great really easy read.  I am really glad that I was given the opportunity to read this book.  It helped me with my personal experiences with my friends.  And I can say that that has never happened with a book.  

My Rating: 

I am giving this book 4 out 5 stars.