NPR

In 'The Less People Know About Us' A Mysterious Identity Theft Hits Close To Home

Axton Betz-Hamilton was 12 when her family's mail began disappearing. Her memoir details what follows and, when she discovers the culprit, the painful process of collecting the pieces of her past.

When Axton Betz was 12, her father stopped getting his issues of The Brayer.

She and her parents lived on an Indiana farm, distant from almost everything; her mother's passion was the home shopping network, and her father's passion was raising donkeys. Those magazines were his professional favorite. Axton pointed out that her pen-pal letters had also gone astray, and the family agreed

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min read
Does Mining For Batteries Erase The Climate Benefits Of EVs? No, And Here's Why
NPR listeners wrote to ask whether the environmental harm from building EVs "cancels out" the cars' climate benefits. Experts say the answer is clear.
NPR2 min read
Biden Warns He'll Halt Israel Weapons Shipments; The Kendrick And Drake Beef Explained
Biden says he will halt additional weapons shipments to Israel if it proceeds with a major ground offensive in Rafah. NPR music editor Sheldon Pearce breaks down the Kendrick Lamar/Drake beef.
NPR3 min readCrime & Violence
Nigeria Has Detained A Journalist Who Reported On Corruption In A Widening Crackdown
Investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu has been arrested by police and held without charge for over a week, drawing criticism from advocacy groups over a worsening climate for independent journalism.

Related Books & Audiobooks