Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

AMAZING!!!!!!

The novel Mistaken Identity is the true story of Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak. Laura and Whitney were both in a car accident on April 26, 2006. There were five lives lost in the tragic accident, including a girl identified as Whitney Cerak. There was also a young woman rushed to hospital, with severe head injuries, who was identified as Laura Van Ryn. Throughout a five week period the Van Ryns took care of the girl identified as Laura, but the more time they spent taking care of her the more different Laura became. Laura became more aware of her surroundings and began to talk and write; so the therapist asked Laura to write her name and she wrote Whitney.
This novel was so interesting once I started I couldn¿t put it down. There was never a dull moment throughout the whole story. I thought it was crazy how you can get two girls, which really don¿t even look alike, mixed up. I wish the book would have had the scene where the girls were identified because it¿s just kind of confusing that they can mix people up. I think that I also enjoyed this novel so much because I share the same beliefs as the Van Ryns and the Ceraks and I was just amazed at their faith in God.
The whole story of these two families is just amazing! Their faith in God is so strong it¿s unbelievable. I honestly think that I couldn¿t be that strong in that situation. They never questioned God they just knew that this was happening for a reason. I was inspired to never lose hope and to always trust God because no matter what happens if you trust Him you will make it through.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

My favorite book!!

This was an amazing, inspirational book that showed the incredible faith of two families,the Cerak¿s, and the Van Ryn¿s. It was a true story about two girls involved in an awful car wreck. Throughout the entire book, it talks about the families of these two precious girls and what all they went through. It gave specific detail of the wreck and how one of the teenage girls, Laura Van Ryn, died. While the other, Whitney Cerak, was in a coma. During months of intense rehabilitation, the Cerak family took each day more and more as a blessing, and they grew stronger in their faith even through the hard times. It showed how both families dealt with this situation, and throughout the entire time, they counted on God. After months of grief, they soon find out there was a mistaken identity between the girls.
I absolutely loved Mistaken Identity for many reasons. I loved how it was so real, and I felt like I could relate with the two girls. I thought it was so neat how the book quoted the family, friends, and boyfriends of the girls. Even though it was sad to hear what they would say, it made me count my blessings even more each day. What I also liked about this book was the depth of faith in each family. It gave me a better understanding on life, and it just made me think. It gave specific details of stories about the families, and I enjoyed reading this book because it was a true story.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. However, the one thing I did not like about the book was that it was very sad and made me cry. During some of the book, I had to stop reading it because it was so emotional. On the other hand, most of the time I couldn¿t lie this book down because it was so intense and just amazing. Even though it was extremely sad and depressing, it still gave me a desire to live my life everyday like it¿s my last. This was by far my favorite book I have ever read!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Two Families Captivating Story

Mitaken Identity tells a story of two families tragic story and how they overcomed it. The Van Ryn family and the Cerak family, both of there daughters ended up in a horrible car crash. One lived and one died with 5 other students. Then they figure out that the girl who lived isnt really who they think it is. In this story it tells a lesson on how to believe in God and not to give up hope, when it seems like all is falling apart. These to families went through some ups and downs, but in the end got through it all. This book is really good if you are looking for a story that will inspire you and show you how to get through tough times. The only problem about this book is there is so much detail and how they are doing and whats going to happen. I think they could have left somethings out. I would recommended this book to high schoolers and older, it is very inspiring non fiction book that will take you on a journey and make your heart ache, and fill with joy all through the book.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Jennifer Wardrip - Personal Read

A very emotional and inspiring read, although there were times I was sidetracked by the religious references. I understand that both families used their faith to get them through this devastating time, but I didn't realize that was going to be the basis of the story when I started.

That said, though, this is a really good story. I recommend reading it along with Jacquelyn Mitchard's ALL WE KNOW OF HEAVEN, which, although not drawn specifically from this story, shares several similarities and is a wonderful book.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I love it!

This book is truly inspiring! I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming, yet suspenseful book. It is simply amazing.

Great read!

I was so happy when this book came out and I immediately went and bought it. This story while heart wrenching, also fascinated me in a way I cannot describe. A very fast read and well worth the money.

What a disappointment!

I sympathize with the grief and confusion of these two families and respect their deep religious beliefs as described in this book. However, aside from a very thin story line, none of the facts or implications of this case of mistaken identity are developed. Instead there are only endless descriptions of the grief and mourning of the family members and the large religious community to which they belong, interspersed with lengthy prayers and sanctimonious "letters" to the victims. It is all very repetitious and finally boring. The book seems to have been written more as a catharsis for the feelings of those involved rather than to inform a readership. Perhaps fundamentalist Christians will enjoy this book. For me, it was a waste of money.

If they had viewed the body, they may have known the truth that night

Why did the Ceracks not want to view the body that had been identified at the scene as Whitney? These girls looked SO MUCH ALIKE! As a mother, I would HAVE to see for myself and KNOW it was my daughter. I would want to hold her hand one last time, stroke her hair, hug her, tell her I loved her, see her image just one more time. If that had happened, the Van Ryns would not have endured five weeks of hell sitting with a girl who was not their daughter, praying for her recovery when their daughter was already gone. It was finally Whitney's comments as she woke up that led to the suspicion that she was not Laura and finding out her true identity.

what a story

This book is well written and mesmerizing. It was a straight through read for me the first time, just to understand the facts. Now I am reading it again to fully understand what these two families, and their friends, have endured. It was not my intent to read a book about forgiveness, but rather curious after having seen the two families on Oprah. But, I can say this book has had an impact on my life I did not expect; I am changed for the better. For the first time in my life I have been asked to forgive someone and with the wisdom gained from reading this book, I was able to do so.

Unbelievable Mistake

I'm in tenth grade and doing a book review for class. I read the book Mistaken Identity by Mark Tabb along with the Van Ryn and Creak family. It is a true story about some students and a staff member from Taylor University in upland Indiana who get in to a van crash.
The van the students and the staff member were in end up getting into a very bad crash on I-69 in Michigan. After the crash, the cops came to the spot and there were bodies thrown all over the place, no one was by the van. The injuries were so bad people were unrecognizable. When they started finding the students, a girl in named Laura Van Ryn was rushed to the hospital. Her parents were called and they rushed to meet her there. But something happened that led to mass confusion and heart break for two families.
Courage is one of the main themes of the book. Not just the courage of the people in the accident but the courage of the families involved. Each family went through traumatic circumstances that changed their lives forever. One of the main questions I had at the end was, how? How could this actually happen? It made me wonder has this ever happened before but was never figured out?
I really liked this book, it was a very sad book and I could not believe the events that took place. I give this book a 5 star rating. If you like the books that get right in to it and is very sad and you feel like you are there with them then I recommend this book to you. If you do not like books that are like that then I do not recommend this book to you.

AMAZING FAITH!!

These two families went through/are still going through the worst tragedy a family can go through. Yet through the good, bad, and ugly their faith was first and formost on their minds. They are a great example to those of us who may struggle w/ chronic illnesses, physical disablitis, financial or family problems that whiie our problems are nothing compared to theirs...we need to have faith through whatever we face - the good and the bad!!

read it

this book gives you every kind of feeling you could ever feel it has happy hurt sad mad glad confused ect... it's a true story that makes you feel.... thankful for what you have..,...it makes you feel glad that maybe your community would act just as loving and kind hearted as theirs did.....AWESOME BOOK .....ENJOY

If you're doubting your Christian Faith...

The families involved in this heart-breaking story will amaze you with the depth of their faith. Beautiful story. Realistic in its "happy-ending" as the survivor is upfront and honest in her struggles and emotions.

A Mom's Choice Awards Recipient!

Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; and Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach and founder of the Mom's Choice Awards. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families.

Inspiring story

I was amazed how their faith and love truly helped them all survive this horrible event. It makes me want to get back in touch with God. A very positive read for such a sad story.

Amazingly lifting and touching

Mistaken Identity is the most uplifting and most touching story ive ever read. ive never read anything like it. it really made me see just how blessed i am for all the wonderful things i have. i try not to take anything for granted and to be thankful for the joys i have in my life. after reading this story im even more thankful than ever. thank you for sharing your story with me.

Two families bond throught tragedy, faith, and the miracle of life.

I first came across this book while watching Oprah; I was hooked before I even opened to the first page. Two girls, who¿s identity¿s had been switched? One family grieving for the loss of their youngest daughter, when she¿s actually alive in a hospital only miles away? And another family, spending only every waking minute caring for, and loving the girl they believe to be their daughter, only to find out the girl in the bed isn¿t who they think she is. This story began on a seemingly normal April day, a van full of nine students and staff from Taylor University, were heading back to school from a mission trip. And in seconds everything changed. A truck hits this innocent blue van along I-69, resulting in one of the most violent accidents imaginable. With four people already pronounced dead at the scene, a young woman first identified as Laura Van Ryn is airlifted to a nearby hospital. For five weeks this young girl is cared for by her family, who never leave her side. Meanwhile, The Cerak family is informed of their daughter, Whitney¿s, tragic death. As any family just told of their child¿s death would be, they begin grieving, praying this isn¿t true. Through this book, I see how both the Cerak family and the Van Ryn family, rely on their faith in God. Faith and prayer become huge themes, and are very important to these families, especially while they are going through this unimaginably difficult time. I liked the message this book brought, how both these families believe in something more powerful then they are. Though I did have some dislikes; in some places the writing was a little choppy and I couldn¿t quite follow what was happening. You should read this novel because it shows how one family¿s loss is another¿s gift. Overall I give the novel Mistaken Identity four stars, though it is quite tragic, it also shows us that death is not the end.

Over Dramatized

I was very disappointed in this book. I had read the article in People magazine, that was mentioned in the book and instantly wanted to read this story. I was very surprised how the story was so boring. I am not saying the situation itself and the horrible things they went through, but these people as the tone of the book. Not to get all mean, but all they talked about was God through the whole book. And they kept saying they were not mad. Hello that is so fake. I was mad when I watched my Grandpa die from cancer and just a few months before that he lost my Grandma. I attended 3 friends funerals from car accidents within 3 years. I do not believe that they were not mad. I felt the story was very sad. How did this happen? And why did these families not to have a lawsuit, if not for money, but so the standards to identify would be tougher so this could not happen again? I cannot figure this out...this just seems weird to me. I feel for the families nonetheless of everything involved. I also did not find this inspiring besides Whitney's recovery. I felt too much of this book was fake and would not read it again.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Amazing

this book was amazing i almost cried half the time as i read this book it was sad and very enjoyable i can't beleve god people these peole in such horrorbut it's just amazing how the did not turn bitter there emotions turnd into love for a child that they thought and felt was there own i love how they define the feeling and pain both familes went through this book was inspiring and gave me hope that good is our savior in christ's name i loved this book it rocked and i just want to see the DVD to see and feel again what the familes went through i love this so much i'm in the middle of reading it again i felt like the family touched my soul and that they were part of my own family the tenciclly are and i hope whitney is okay after such a horrendous accident

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Must Read!

Excellent book that will keep your attention. As much as I hate this ever happened, I am glad it had to happen to two Christian families. At least they were able to share their love and faith in Christ. Another thing that captured me about this book was all the 'what if's' I thought about. What if they only had viewed the body when it happened. What if Whitney had also died before the 5-week period was up? Would they ever discovered the mistake?