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Strange Little Girl
My father tells it because he made it up. A little bedtime story of my origin. They are not really my parents, the people who I call Mum and Dad. Those are not my siblings, the kids who I know as my brother and sisters.
‘Rare is the memoir that is filled with such earnest faith, appreciation and true love for a childhood that was not easy or simple. Jessica Knight writes with the clarity, humour and depth as Jeanette Winterson, and there is not a smidgeon of self-pity in this book. I was deeply moved by Strange Little Girl, a resplendent book from a writer with a good heart but a wicked sense of humour.’ –Alice Pung, author of Unpolished Gem and One Hundred Days
I am not really human.
I am an alien from another planet in a far distant constellation.
Jessica Knight grew up on a dairy farm in rural Victoria, her crib next door to where the cows were milked. It’s a loving Mormon household, a God-fearing home. While they don’t have very much, it’s their values and good humour that allows them to laugh at what scares them.
All young Jessica wants is to be good and make her parents and her Heavenly Father happy. She cleans the house and helps out with her siblings; all the while being subjected to intensive medical tests and major surgeries. Doctors consider her a medical mystery.
But what if you decide you want to be open about your fears?
This is the story of how one young woman learned to move on from the life she was expected to have, embraced what she was scared of, and looked to her future with an open heart and mind.
Maybe you don't need heaven, maybe you just need to find yourself.
‘Rare is the memoir that is filled with such earnest faith, appreciation and true love for a childhood that was not easy or simple. Jessica Knight writes with the clarity, humour and depth as Jeanette Winterson, and there is not a smidgeon of self-pity in this book. I was deeply moved by Strange Little Girl, a resplendent book from a writer with a good heart but a wicked sense of humour.’ –Alice Pung, author of Unpolished Gem and One Hundred Days
I am not really human.
I am an alien from another planet in a far distant constellation.
Jessica Knight grew up on a dairy farm in rural Victoria, her crib next door to where the cows were milked. It’s a loving Mormon household, a God-fearing home. While they don’t have very much, it’s their values and good humour that allows them to laugh at what scares them.
All young Jessica wants is to be good and make her parents and her Heavenly Father happy. She cleans the house and helps out with her siblings; all the while being subjected to intensive medical tests and major surgeries. Doctors consider her a medical mystery.
But what if you decide you want to be open about your fears?
This is the story of how one young woman learned to move on from the life she was expected to have, embraced what she was scared of, and looked to her future with an open heart and mind.
Maybe you don't need heaven, maybe you just need to find yourself.
Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2024
6 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 28, 2025
A reflective and quietly powerful memoir, exploring resilience and self-acceptance.
June 18, 2024
Thank you Ultimo Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
Jessica was the first born in a devoted Mormon household.
Born with medical riddles into a loving family would ultimately challenge and set the scene for Jess and her parents.
Guided by religious principles and morals her desire was to please and help out with her growing family.
Issues with her spine and growth rate had medical authorities stumped and meant a childhood laced with pain as injections and operations were the norm.
School years can be hard for most as children can be cruel, they hone in and taunt.
Jess missed a lot of school and endured bullying with an optimistic attitude.
Forming friendships wherever she could.
Growing up in a god fearing family had an influence and the church provided a foundation of peer support and social activities.
This was an amazing memoir and kept me engaged as I followed with keen interest.
Her story was inspirational, sad at times and reflective.
Jess embraced her situation and was tenacious throughout her formative years as she found herself irrespective of hurdles.
Jessica was the first born in a devoted Mormon household.
Born with medical riddles into a loving family would ultimately challenge and set the scene for Jess and her parents.
Guided by religious principles and morals her desire was to please and help out with her growing family.
Issues with her spine and growth rate had medical authorities stumped and meant a childhood laced with pain as injections and operations were the norm.
School years can be hard for most as children can be cruel, they hone in and taunt.
Jess missed a lot of school and endured bullying with an optimistic attitude.
Forming friendships wherever she could.
Growing up in a god fearing family had an influence and the church provided a foundation of peer support and social activities.
This was an amazing memoir and kept me engaged as I followed with keen interest.
Her story was inspirational, sad at times and reflective.
Jess embraced her situation and was tenacious throughout her formative years as she found herself irrespective of hurdles.
January 6, 2025
A witty, heartwarming account of growing up through a maze of health, self, and ideological challenges in Victoria. While there is an abruptness to the conclusion (some other reviews have suggested this) I admire gutsiness of the resolution; in these final moments Knight unapologetically embraces her identity with clarity and conviction. How could anyone want anything more from this strong, empathic and beautiful writer?
June 2, 2024
This memoir by Jessica Knight delves into her childhood and adolescence, marked by the challenges of a mysterious medical syndrome that necessitated numerous surgeries and treatments. What struck me most were her insightful reflections on being a medical enigma, navigating life as a Mormon, and confronting societal expectations of normalcy. Her raw storytelling evokes both laughter and heartache, capturing the trials and tribulations she has faced to reach where she is today.
June 11, 2024
A beautifully written little memoir by Jessia Kight, it felt like it had spanned the lifetime of an octogenarian rather than a woman in her early twenties. Born with a mysterious medical condition that no doctor could explain, Jessica was subjected to multiple surgeries, treatment and injections for most of her childhood and adolescence. Given all she went through, I would rename her as a medical marvel. She also grew up in a Mormon family on a dairy farm, so life was nothing short of unusual compared to her friends and relatives.
Jess has written his account of her live in such a tender and astute way that encapsulated so many perceptions about her life, and also dispelled a few generic views people may have had about her. There were many misconceptions about her age because of her petiteness, or being “horizontally challenged” as her parents descried her. I was surprised that she did not write a lot about how the world responded to her. I think a lot of that was owed to her own self-confidence and acceptance of who she was in the face of the adversity she faced. It was hard to read about the responsibility that sat on her shoulders, looking after all of her siblings and frantically vacuuming at 3am, just to keep order at hone for her parents who had early starts on the farm. It was that business that did not give her a lot of time to think, and probably was a great distraction from the medical issues she was dealing with.
Jess has written his account of her live in such a tender and astute way that encapsulated so many perceptions about her life, and also dispelled a few generic views people may have had about her. There were many misconceptions about her age because of her petiteness, or being “horizontally challenged” as her parents descried her. I was surprised that she did not write a lot about how the world responded to her. I think a lot of that was owed to her own self-confidence and acceptance of who she was in the face of the adversity she faced. It was hard to read about the responsibility that sat on her shoulders, looking after all of her siblings and frantically vacuuming at 3am, just to keep order at hone for her parents who had early starts on the farm. It was that business that did not give her a lot of time to think, and probably was a great distraction from the medical issues she was dealing with.
June 2, 2024
#strangelittlegirl by #jessicaknight is a wonderful memoir about a girl growing up in a good Mormon household with loving parents on a dairy farm in rural Victoria. Jessica was smaller than other girls her age so was put on growth hormone injections daily for 3 years, then developing Scoliosis she endured painful major surgeries to correct. Throw in a stint in hospital for anorexia, a Pollyanna complex and endless bullying at school for being so small and you have a heartfelt novel of a girl just trying to overcome & fit in. Highly recommend 4 🌟 out in June @ultimopress
December 28, 2025
Jess was a great friend of mine, and even though I knew her story, her book captures it all from the perspective of a young girl with all the confusion and fear that comes with that, in a way that I never saw in the adult I knew. Her writing is amazing and honest. She captures the complicated relationship she had with her parents so well. Where it would have been so easy to dismiss them because of their differences of belief to her, instead we see how much she loved them, even when they disagreed. Jess was an awesome person, and I miss her.
September 30, 2024
A well written story of a young girl’s endurance through ill health and physical deformity from a very early age and her blossoming into a young adult with an interesting future ahead of her.. It was a walk through her life growing up and I the difficulties of being different. I suspect that the pain she endured during some very serious and complex corrective surgery was way worse than she portrayed in the story. I hope her life continues to be an adventure and brings her joy.
August 21, 2025
I found the book itself rather strange (rather than the author, whose memoir this is). It was a series of little anecdotes, strung together in a bit of a jumble, often mixing tenses mid paragraph, which diluted Jess’ interesting life story.
More oddly, despite overcoming some serious medical challenges, the author ends the book on a jarring and downbeat note, at odds with the fact that simply publishing this book could be considered a success.
More oddly, despite overcoming some serious medical challenges, the author ends the book on a jarring and downbeat note, at odds with the fact that simply publishing this book could be considered a success.
September 1, 2024
I feel really sad to review so poorly because I was truly so excited for this book. Nothing happens? The way it ends so abruptly with nothing that evokes any long of feeling or summary. The blurb is so exciting and interesting but none of that is really what the story is about. It’s poorly told stories about her life, that don’t flow or move into any kind of rhythm.
July 1, 2025
A beautifully written memoir about the childhood of Jessica Knight, who faced the struggles of growing up with a condition that required multiple surgeries and growth hormone treatment. The book doesn't fall into the pitfall of depressive recollections; instead, it's written with joy and resilience, inspiring joy in the reader. A funny, insightful, and warm memoir.
June 29, 2024
Knight beautifully charts her experiences a young girl, being raised in a Mormon household, and undergoing medical intervention for her crooked spine. This is a beautiful memoir about finding hope and losing faith, finding your dream and the bonds of family.
September 15, 2024
Very well written, but it ends really abruptly. I missed the “transformation” or self-actualization that the synopsis touted. A good book, but not what I expected. I sincerely hope the author continues to grow and find authentic love in her life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
Found aspects of this book to be extremely relatable growing up as an awkward Mormon kid :’)
September 6, 2024
A thoughtful and insightful addition to Australia’s (finally) growing oeuvre of self-determined disability memoirs.
October 1, 2024
Absolutely LOVED IT!
As a country victorian myself I loved reading about your life and story. You are so remarkable and a force to be reckoned with!! Keep being you Jess!
As a country victorian myself I loved reading about your life and story. You are so remarkable and a force to be reckoned with!! Keep being you Jess!
November 13, 2024
Whiner!
May 10, 2025
Interesting, learnt some about the mormon beliefs.
June 25, 2024
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summed Up: Inspiring Little Girl
- - -
@ultimopress kindly gifted me a copy of this book and the minute I saw the cover I was intrigued. Was this book about a cow? Or maybe a little girl dairy farmer? 🐮🤔
I was close but so far off.
This book was the incredible life story of Jess, who did grow up on a farm surrounded by cows (right near my hometown!), but had a bigger story than that to tell.
My reviews avoid spoilers and storyline hints (for everyone who has a #bookblinddate reading style like I do) so I can’t share much. But I can say this, Jess is a medical marvel!
Jess’s tale is a rollercoaster of emotions tackling religion, bullying and some pretty intense medical challenges with a hefty dose of resilience and heart ♥️
Her memoir isn’t just a read, it’s a journey of inspiration. Jess’s courage and spirit in the face of the unknown had me glued to every page. If only the story continued, I’d love to see where life has taken her now.
Ready for an inspiring read? Dive into this one! 🌟
Summed Up: Inspiring Little Girl
- - -
@ultimopress kindly gifted me a copy of this book and the minute I saw the cover I was intrigued. Was this book about a cow? Or maybe a little girl dairy farmer? 🐮🤔
I was close but so far off.
This book was the incredible life story of Jess, who did grow up on a farm surrounded by cows (right near my hometown!), but had a bigger story than that to tell.
My reviews avoid spoilers and storyline hints (for everyone who has a #bookblinddate reading style like I do) so I can’t share much. But I can say this, Jess is a medical marvel!
Jess’s tale is a rollercoaster of emotions tackling religion, bullying and some pretty intense medical challenges with a hefty dose of resilience and heart ♥️
Her memoir isn’t just a read, it’s a journey of inspiration. Jess’s courage and spirit in the face of the unknown had me glued to every page. If only the story continued, I’d love to see where life has taken her now.
Ready for an inspiring read? Dive into this one! 🌟
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews