Fake ID Hardcover – January 21, 2014

Purchased for high school summer reading assignment. My son was pleased with the writing and story line. He actually enjoyed the book and didn't feel like reading it was punishment like some past assignments.

This mystery/thriller about a teen in the Witness Protection Program was one of my favorite reads of 2014. I wish there was a word to describe what it's like to want to keep turning pages, fast, to find out what happens -- and simultaneously to want to linger on the page because the writing is simply gorgeous. I loved Nick Pearson's voice and his view of the world. He's a smart kid who's weary of reinventing himself with yet another new town, new school, new name, new identity. He gets pulled into the (small) world of newspaper reporting at his high school . . . makes an unlikely friend . . . and suddenly finds himself over his head in a murder mystery and a web of intrigue. A the same time he has to unravel a mystery within his own family and make some tough decisions. Strong characters, important ethical issues, page-turning plot twists, FAKE ID has it all. I think adult mystery/thriller fans will enjoy it as much as teens. Highly recommend!!

Wow! I have been waiting for some dynamic murder mysteries for young adults to hit the market! I'm glad "Fake ID" was my first read. It was not what I expected from the title. I mentally created a story about someone getting into trouble using fake ID to get into a club. Boy, was I wrong! This story was a roller coaster ride! It unraveled with characters and events that made me feel as if I would miss something if I stopped reading. This is only the second book I've read that deals with issues related to diverse adolescents in the witness protection program. Giles' had me from the first page and I look forward to doing the same this Fall as I read aloud to struggling readers who love a good mystery!

Fake ID by Lamar Giles is a great read for those looking for that something different in the YA genre - nothing dystopian, no fantasy, no sci-fi, just straight out mystery. Nick Pearson, a teen in the Witness Protection Program, thanks to dad, just wants to stay put in one place - something his dad makes almost impossible. When his new friend Eli is murdered, Nick, along with Eli's sister Reya, set out to solve the murder, and the facts lead him in twists and turns. This is a fabulous book for the reluctant reader - especially boys!

The book certainly pulls you in. I feel like there needs to be a sequel to fully complete the story as the ending was too abrupt for me. Likely there is one or there is a plan to write one. If not it makes the ending wholly unsatisfying.

Good book for teen boys

You think you have problems--try living Nick Pearson's life in Witness Protection. He'd love a normal life like any other teenager, but his family's situation is anything but normal. Then a friend trying to uncover the roots of a major conspiracy is killed, and Nick wants nothing to do with hiding.Great characters, nail-biting story, a great YA thriller.

I read Lamar Giles' book yesterday, and I couldn't put it down despite all the distractions surrounding me. It starts fast, and it keeps going, but at the same time, you get to know Nick, the main character, really well and you come to care about him. The characters and the situation are unique and original, but very believable. Giles didn't take the easy way out in resolving the story, he kept it real. I left this book thinking about a part of the US population I'd never really considered, people in the witness protection program. The voice of the narrator and the fantastic writing are the stars in this story, but the page-turning plot engrossed me so deeply, I had a hard time slowing down enough to savor the great writing. I'll have to read it again! I'd give it five stars if I ever gave anything five stars, but so far, I haven't. I highly recommend this to adults young and old! Can't wait to see Mr. Giles' next effort.

My daughter really like this!

A wonderful debut. This book deals with Nick Pearson who isn't actually Nick. His real name is Tony and his father is a former mobster who has turned state's witness and has now been placed in the Witness Protection program, or WitSec for short.Trying to figure out who you are as a teen is hard enough, but having to pretend to be somebody you completely aren't is even harder. Where does the persona and the real meet? Where do they divide?The plot of this book is a murder mystery. Is his mobster dad involved? If so, why?But the real story is Nick/Tony coming into his own right. Learning how to navigate between who we really are and who we are pretending to be. And in Nick's case, the difference between the two are worlds apart.The only thing I didn't like about this book was some of the characters felt flat to me. Zach, the bully at school and his cronies played no real role in this book. They were only there to make things difficult for our protagonist. And without giving away any spoilers, let's just say I didn't buy the killer's motivation. And the ending dragged on a bit.But other than that, a great book. Great voice. I really enjoyed Nick as a main character and hope to be able to read about him again.