Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am

Co-written by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis, the historical young adult novel Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am tells the story of Ben Bright, a privileged, smart, handsome, and talented graduating senior at New York’s Eastport High School. Ben gives up his prominent future to serve in the military, where he is involved in a terrible accident that leaves him brain-damaged. The work addresses Ben’s persistent, unsuccessful attempts to communicate and his painstakingly slow recovery progress. The book won the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award for teens “for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.” Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am tells a realistic war story which demonstrates the ripple effects of pain and injury—a story of family, loss, identity, perseverance, and love.

Ben’s story begins with the drama program’s production of West Side Story; Ben plays the role of Tony and his beautiful girlfriend, Ariela, plays his love interest, Maria. He is determined to keep the news of his enlistment in the U.S. Army and imminent deployment overseas a secret until after the performance. When Niko Petropoulos, his best friend, confronts Ben about his strange behavior, he admits that he is shipping off to Iraq soon. Niko is furious with Ben for his decision.

The high school drama program production of West Side Story is an immense success. Ben’s performance is remarkable, despite the stress of keeping his secret and the new tension between himself and Niko. When the cast goes out for Chinese food following the show, the drama teacher shares an exciting opportunity to be on TV with Ben. She explains that her Hollywood director friend in the audience is interested in him for a role in a teen show. When prompted to explain his apathetic response, he breaks the news much to her disbelief.



Niko tells Ariela about Ben’s plans, and the couple gets into a bad fight. Ariela is furious with Ben for his decision. However, their argument does not sway Ben’s decision nor do they break up. Ariela accepts Ben’s proposal for marriage before he deploys.

The book follows Ben to Iraq, where he serves with a small cohort working to earn a favorable opinion of the locals. The majority of the group has recently completed their training, and all are skeptical of the impossible task at hand. However the group maintains a level of light-heartedness and banter to offer some comic relief, their spirits are discouraged by the public’s apparent fear and mild paranoia in response to their presence. They discuss how the general oppression, poverty, and Al Qaeda violence are likely responsible for the Iraqi people’s distrust and aversion to the foreigners, though the group means well.

Driving the Humvee into the next local town, they experience this same air of anxiety and unease. Then a terrible explosion takes place. Ben’s family is celebrating his brother Chris’s fifteenth birthday with Niko when they receive the news from an officer over the telephone. Explaining that Ben is being flown To Walter Reed Hospital in a critical comatose state, the officer urgently summons the family to meet him in Washington for his arrival. Doctors explain that the extent of Ben’s brain damage will need to be evaluated over time, informing his family that they may expect a variety of severe changes, including loss of memory, muscle control, and sensory perception. When Ben wakes from the coma, he has no recollection of who he is and he is unable to think clearly or communicate. Meanwhile, Ben’s fiancée Ariela, now a freshman at Chase College, receives the news from Niko. The two fly to Washington together to see Ben’s condition and support the Bright family.



Two days following Ben’s injury, his family, friend, and fiancée gather around his still body, eager to witness signs of movement or improvement. Ben’s mutterings reveal the profound damage to his awareness, indicating only vague perception and response to the activity around him. He does not know who he is. As one of the characters shares, “Ben is not dead, and he’s not alive.” The group, desperate for news, consults Doctor Parini, the physician presiding over Ben’s case. Doctor Parini shares that Ben’s mind is still receptive and responsive, but that his brain is unlikely to read his memories and thoughts “for a while.” This vague explanation understandably devastates the group. Ben’s parents split and reunite. His ASD brother Chris has a fit. Niko seems withdrawn. Ariela is in shock.

Two months following the accident, Ben is placed in a rehabilitation facility in Palo Alto, California where he works closely with Doctor Larsen to build his memory and communication skills. He shows little progress, although he believes that he is getting through to others. Meanwhile, Ariela befriends Jared, who shares her interests. She neglects to mention Ben when they talk over coffee and snacks. Despite her conflicted feelings, she remains faithful.

Six months later, Ben’s progress is notable in his memory book. His writing, though child-like, is legible. He is able to form short responses to questions and can walk on his own with a walker. However, he still struggles with daily tasks and basic communication. He grows increasingly frustrated by the slowness of his recovery. By August, Ben is able to write and to speak in short sentences, though with considerable effort. However, he still struggles to remember who he is and those whom he loves. In November, his friend Hayseed, who suffered injuries to his legs during the blast, pays Ben a visit. The book ends on a heartwarming note of hope for Ben’s recovery as he begins to recall his friend.