Vanishing Acts

Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

“You make yourself strong because it's expected of you. You become confident because someone beside you is unsure. You turn into the person others need you to be.” 

I believe that the character Andrew Hopkins in this story is a a shape shifter. This line perfectly describes him because when his daughter Delia was 4 years old, he kidnapped her. Andrew was divorced to his wife Elise but Elise had full custody of Delia. Elise was an alcoholic however and Andrew couldn't think of any other way to get his daughter out of that environment than to just take her an leave. So he left Arizona and drove to New Hampshire where he completely changed both of their identities and lived a full life with this secret. Until 28 years later when the police find him, he is sent back to Arizona to face trial and both Delia and Andrew have to come back to who they're true identities were. Not only did Andrew change his personal information, he also had to change his personality, for both his, and his daughter's safety in their new lives.