In Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am, Ben Bright makes a decision that not many people can understand: to volunteer to be a solider. When all of his friends are going to college, Ben has known that this is what he wants to do. I'm not a supporter of war, but I can appreciate his decision and his courage.

The book is quite short at just over 140 pages and is divided into "Before," "During" and "After" the incident where Ben loses his memory. The action moves quickly and the reader is spared the gory details. It is also interesting to note that as soon as Ben is injured, the protagonist becomes a minor character for the rest of the book. The story becomes about how his friends and family handle how Ben's decision to join the army and his resulting injuries from his time in Iraq have turned him into a shadow of the person he was before. It's quite heartbreaking.

Guilt, anger, fear, and hope are all working against Ben's family and friends as they attempt to cope with his condition. Arguably the decision to go to war and the risks associated are ones that will not only ruin your own life, but the lives of everyone around you. This is a story about a boy who made a very brave choice, but a choice that has devastating consequences.

The story ends on a hopeful note as Ben makes progress with his recovery, although the ending is rather abrupt. At the centre of all the devastation is Ben, and just as his near-death experience was the cause of a lot of dysfunction and despair, his recovery might allow for the damage to be repaired.

An interesting book, but the reader will have many unanswered questions at its conclusion. This YA novel is short, sweet, and to the point. It is an easy read and portrays the ugly realities of going to war. ( )

A student recommended this book to me, and I am glad he did. The book details the story of Ben, a high school senior, who decides to enlist in the Army. It is divided into three sections: before, during, and after. Before Ben leaves he is a popular kid in high school with the world at his feet. His friends are not happy about his decision to leave for the Army. After Boot Camp, Ben is sent to Iraq where he ends up with a Traumatic Brain Injury. The after part of the book details Ben's life after the TMI. This book is gut wrenching and real. Ben's attempt to regain normalcy after suffering his TMI is something that many of our wounded warriors experience when coming home. I highly recommend this book. ( )

A realistic, heartbreaking story about a young man enlists in the army right out of high school, is sent to combat in Iraq, and suffers a traumatic brain injury. ( )

Divided into three sections - before, during, and after - the story is about a fresh out of high school army enlistee, Ben, who suffers a tramatic brain injury in Iraq.
It is a deliberately sparse story. But for me a bit uneven. In particular, Ben's close high school friend Niko, plays a major role, but something feels missing.
The best part is Ben, as he struggles to recover in miniscule steps. And how those closest to him deal with his struggles. ( )