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Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780142301470
ISBN number: 0142301477
Label: Puffin
Manufacturer: Puffin
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 192
Printing Date: July 08, 2002
Publishing house: Puffin
Age index: Young Adult
Sale Popularity Level: 266491
Studio: Puffin
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Cameron Miller is the son of a murderer. All he has ever known is the stench of the locked cellar, where he can hear the blows and cries and his father's torrent of terror and abuse. Then a miracle happens: his father is killed in a police shootout. In the aftermath, Cameron grabs his one chance for a normal life: he takes on the identity of Neil Lacey, a boy who Mr. Miller had abducted six years ago. As Neil, he has a life with loving parents, a brother and sister, and the comforts only money can buy. But someone knows what Cameron's doing-someone with the power to turn his life back into a nightmare.
'An engrossing, suspenseful novel that is sure to keep the reader glued to the page.' (Kirkus Reviews)
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Rated by buyers -
Cameron is fourteen when his father is finally killed in a police raid. For as long as he can remember, Pop had abused and raped him, and brought other young boys back to their isolated cottage to abuse as well. Cameron tried to tell these other boys to behave themselves and quietly do what Pop said, but eventually they all misbehaved and ended up dead, buried in the cellar of the house.
Before Pop died, Cameron spent a great deal of time locked in the cellar, and he came across a filing cabinet filled with newspaper articles about all of the boys Pop had abducted and killed. One story about Neil Lacey particularly struck him, especially the descriptions of the family's sailboats. When Pop dies, Cameron decides that he can become Neil Lacey, that he can convince this family he is their missing son.
Neil's parents immediately believe that Cameron is their son. They bring him into their lives and try to act like everything is exactly as it used to be. But Neil's thirteen-year-old sister Diana and eight-year-old brother Stevie are another matter. They watch his actions and compare him to what they remember of their brother. Diana even confronts him, telling him she knows he isn't Neil.
Will Cameron be able to keep up this act? When Cougar, a man who was something of a partner to Pop and whom Pop got sent to jail, is paroled, will Cameron be in danger?
I liked the Lacey family. I liked the way they all fit together and the dynamics between the kids and their parents. I liked that the kids weren't as overjoyed as the parents about having someone back who claimed to be their brother. I also liked that Cameron was such a survivor, and even after all of the trauma with Pop, he looked like he might be able to have something of a normal life.
I thought the ending was too easy, though, and I thought that Detective Simmons was far too venomous toward Cameron. Even if he were sure Cameron was lying, I don't think any police officer would have been that outright mean to a kid.
Rated by buyers 
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"Counterfeit Son" by Elaine Marie Alphin takes place in a house near a lake, with a new comer and old. He has come back from the dead, for after six long years. You know what though? He's not someone that has come back from the dead, but someone impersonating the dead boy. His name is Cameron Miller, son of a murder. His Pop had killed the boy he is impersonating. He had taken Neil Lacey's life, and he had taken his family.
Cameron's Pop has gotten murdered, and now the police are looking for him. He lies and goes to the doctor with pains, and then the Lacey's family takes him in. They actually think he is Neil Lacey, and not some other kid. He hates lying to them, but he really doesn't want to go to jail. He's really nice, unlike Neil, who black-mails his younger siblings. He gets scared that sometimes, that the Lacey's family will find out he's not Neil.
Cameron shows more and more love for the Lacey family each day. They love him and care for him, just like he was Neil. He feels like he should tell them, but is too scared. Will he always be scared, and never tell them he's Neil? Will they ever find out he really isn't Neil.
-Hellen P.
Rated by buyers -
it doesnt get any worse. ive read this book 7 or 8 times and everyrime i still find myself right along with the characters in the book. It is extremely well written and weel thought out and i cant stop reading it. it is by far one of my favorite books of all time
Rated by buyers -
The book Counterfeit Son is written by Elaine Marie Alphin, who is the winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award. The book is published by Puffin Books in New York, United States of America.
The book Counterfeit Son basically talks about a child whose name is Cameron and whose father - Hank Miller is a murderer. His father abducts children and murders them if they do not obey to his command. Cameron is worried that his father will slay him too. Suddenly, a miraculous thing happens: his father is killed in a shootout with the police. Cameron takes this only chance: he takes on the identity of Neil Lacey, who has been kidnapped for more than six years. Neil's reappearance is suspected by the detectives. However his parents, the Laceys are thrilled. The loving Laceys take Cameron home and provide him with the best food and clothes, but this arouses his siblings' envy. At the same time, Hank Miller's friend, Cougar, is released from jail. He knows that Cameron is pretending to be Neil. He threatens him to get him valuable jewels or cash, otherwise he will tell the truth to the cops. Cougar even snatches Neil's little brother, Stevie in order to force Cameron to obtain the house key for him. When Neil struggles against Cougar to save Stevie, Neil's sister, Diana calls his parents and the detectives. When they come, the truth is finally exposed...
The book Counterfeit Son has a suspenseful plot. The author has put in events which make the readers feel excited. Likewise, the author clearly states that Cameron is going to pretend to be Neil but does not tell why; this mysterious arrangement really fascinates the readers, including me. The plot is not the only strength in the book; the author, Ms Alphin, has created a mysterious atmosphere, I believe, that has attracts many readers who choose books by reading a few pages before buying it. Besides, the front page of the book is well created. There is a piece of photo of a boy. I remembered that when I very first borrowed this book from the school library, I wished I could finish it at once! Last but not the least, the words in the book are not that hard. You can understand it easily. Well you can try to put down the book while you are reading, but I bet you cannot!
Counterfeit Son is such a great book. There is only one weakness I can find - the ending is a little bit too obvious. While I was reading chapter 16, I have a strong feeling that Cameron IS Neil (Opps I've told the truth), and I am right! However, for overall, Counterfeit Son is a really marvellous book that I can't tell how excellent it is by words!
Rated by buyers 
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As a middle school teacher, I selected this book for my more *reluctant* male readers. The characters and their struggles seem real, and teenage boys could identify with Cameron. The author also treats Cameron's abuse in a manner that can be digested by young readers - it is apparent that bad things have happened to Cameron, but nothing is explicitly depicted.
In a market floodly by teen fiction primarily geared toward young girls, most of the offerings for young men are sports related or special interest. *Counterfeit Son* is that rare exception that appeals to young male readers without the heavy sports emphasis. 95% of the guys like it, from the football team to the marching band.
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