Life Hacks for a Little Alien

by Alice Franklin

For readers of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Remarkably Bright Creatures , this “unique, engaging, and insightful” (Pip Williams, author of The Dictionary of Lost Words) debut novel about one little girl’s obsession with a mysterious manuscript is a love letter to language—how it shapes the world for each of us and connects us all in the end. 

“Climb up here, Little Alien. Sit next to me. I will tell you about life on this planet. I will tell you how it goes.”
 
Before she thinks of herself as Little Alien, our narrator is only a lonely little girl living in southeast England, who doesn’t understand the world the way other children seem to. So when a late-night TV special introduces her to the mysterious Voynich Manuscript—an ancient tome written in an indecipherable language—Little Alien experiences something she hasn’t hope. Could there be others like her, who also feel like they’re from another planet?

Convinced the Voynich Manuscript holds the answers she needs, Little Alien turns to the place she feels at the library. What she learns there sets Little Alien and her best (and only) friend Bobby on a course toward finding this strange book. Where it leads them will change everything.

Narrated by an unexpected guide who has arrived to offer Little Alien the advice she’ll need to find her way, Life Hacks for a Little Alien explores a less-usual experience of the world with heartbreaking empathy. Inviting us into the head of a child who doesn’t read her surroundings the way we might assume, Alice Franklin will have readers swinging from stitches to tears on the uneven path to finding a life that fits, even when you yourself do not.
 

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Coming Of Age, Audiobook, Books About Books, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Adult Fiction

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ | TikTok |

Being autistic can definitely feel like you’re a little alien sometimes. This book had so many wonderful aspects and it was spectacular to see nuerospicy representation - this book made me feel seen in so many ways.

I think the use of second person narration was such a powerful aspect and was probably one of my favorite parts about this novel. I can’t count the number of times I (as an autistic person) have heard things like - “you’re too loud” - “you’re too much” - “you did this wrong” “you’re not acting like a [insert age] person should” - “why is your face like that” - “you aren’t listening to me” - and so on - the use of second person and YOU to tell the story, seems like the perfect way to deliver this narrative. It puts the reader directly in the shoes of this little alien.

This is a short, heartwarming read - a must read for anyone who wants a peek at what it’s like to grow up a little different.

What’s I loved…
- ASD / neurospicy representation
- unique story-telling
- a love letter to being different
- books, libraries, and love of words galore

What I didn’t love…
- personally could have done without the footnotes but my brain doesn’t like anything the interrupts the flow of a book and footnotes do that to me. I will say they are quite quirky and fun - just not for me personally
- this dragged a bit in the middle
- I would have liked a little more on the relationship development

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is funny and sweet and heartbreaking.

Little Alien lives with her mum and dad. She struggles to negotiate every day life, engage with people or understand what's expected of her. She becomes obsessed with the Voynich Manuscript, a strange manuscript that was "discovered" hundreds of years ago and that scientists of all description have struggled to interpret ever since.

As she tries to find the truth in the language of the manuscript her home life breaks down.

This is one of those books that "spoke" to me. Little Alien is an engaging character. She is the perfect narrator, simply saying things as they are rather than how others interpret them. Of course that makes her "odd". Her parents are, unfortunately, also very flawed which gives her even more of a disadvantage.

This is not like any book I've read before. It is very funny in parts and makes you wish for a kinder world the next. Little Alien is a sympathetic character and even though I knew her parents were also flawed I still wanted them to be better.

A very interesting look at relationships and academia, friendship and child protection. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. Thankyou Little Alien for an interesting journey.

And thankyou to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the advance review copy.

[Carmel Hanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Little alien" is the protagonist in this read, who speaks in second person as she experiences a world that's difficult for her to understand and effectively react to. This point of view works well to show the discomfort, confusion, and second-guessing common to those on the spectrum; observing others but constantly uncertain of how to interpret them or events.

There are school and family difficulties to navigate, but they appear in non-typical ways giving the story a fresh feel, and often are a mixture of sad and humorous. Little alien has a love of language which offers a thread throughout the narrative that can be both informative and funny and even momentarily derailing as the obsession picks up speed like a runaway train.

This book has been compared to Eleanor Oliphant, and I can see why; there are certainly some similarities.

[Jo Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy publication day 🎉🥳

A poignant tale of a girl on the spectrum navigating her way through the world and all its complexities as she grows from toddler to teen. Slightly different in that the story is delivered in the 2nd person. Personally for me, I found this to be apt. It added some emphasis to Little Alien’s discomfort in the world.

We never get to know Little Aliens real name. We do get to find out roughly what adults think of her, how they underestimate her intelligence, we see her intelligence though, when she sees a documentary on the Voynich Manuscript she is fascinated and starts her own research.

It’s fascinating, the take from down there where all of the people who should know how to behave in your interests discuss and discuss and are still lost, Little Alien. The world would be a lot simpler if people said what they meant indeed. I loved being privy to the ways in which you discovered your place in life.

An all the emotions title!
This’ll be a hit for 2025, perfect for fans of Cactus and Eleanor Oliphant.

Loved the audio narration by Sally Phillips 🎧

My thanks to Quercus Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the ALC 🎧

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful, engaging, and truly unique read. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, especially since the novel is written in the second-person perspective. Initially, I was a little wary of how that would work, but within just a few pages, I was completely immersed in the story. The writing is so well done that the second-person perspective quickly faded into the background, and I found myself fully engaged with the main character’s journey.

Franklin’s ability to connect the reader to the protagonist is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The story is both sad and uplifting, with moments that make you laugh out loud, as well as moments that tug at your heartstrings. The main character is a young person trying to navigate an "alien world" that doesn’t always make sense to her. It’s a journey of self-discovery and learning how to fit into a world that feels like it doesn’t quite understand her. Watching her grow and evolve throughout the story was both empowering and emotional.

There are moments when the character faces challenges that are difficult to watch, especially because of the lack of support she gets from her parents. It’s a bit sad to see how little understanding or help she receives, but it’s also incredibly empowering to watch her figure things out on her own. The sense of independence and resilience she develops is inspiring, and by the end, you can’t help but feel proud of how far she’s come.

At its core, Life Hacks for a Little Alien is a heartwarming story about growth, resilience, and finding one’s place in the world. The humor balances out the more somber moments, and the whole book feels like a reflection on the complexity of growing up. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, but ultimately, it’s about discovering that you are stronger than you think.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life Hacks for a Little Alien is Alice Franklin's debut and it's a gem.

If Emily Austin's Interesting Facts about Space had a touch of Scout Finch, you'd have Life Hacks for a Little Alien. A tender, funny story about a young, neurodivergent girl navigating the confusing world of adults and coming to terms with her place in it. Franklin allows us to inhabit Little Alien's perspective so fully and also gives us bookends that leave room for hope for her future.

I especially appreciated the careful way that Franklin treated the adult characters outside of Little Alien's child perspective. There is so much humanity in how Little Alien's cast of characters are written and it is a touching tribute to the ways we all have to adapt to live in a confusing world.

Life Hacks for a Little Alien comes out February 2o25 and is sure to delight and comfort many readers. Thanks to the publisher for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Hacks for a Little Alien is the first novel by British author, Alice Franklin. She has been raised by loving parents, but doesn’t quite fit in. Her late speech and strange little things she does have her mum worried. Between misunderstandings, and mischief by her classmates, she has spent more of her younger years being home schooled than in a classroom, a little unfortunate as her mum is, mentally, not the most stable. At school, when she does attend, teachers take her reticence for stupidity.

Reading others is a challenge and she’s “grateful for how explicitly Mike and Mark (a set of simple books) express their feelings. You would like it if everyone were like this. If you always knew when your dad was tetchy, you’d know to avoid him so he doesn’t snap at you. If you always knew when your mum was worried, you’d know when you needed to soothe her. And if you knew someone was lonely – maybe one of these human children that you are surrounded by every weekday – then you’d approach them and begin the long and tiresome process of befriending them. You could hang out with them every day if need be. You’d be their best friend, their constant companion, their sidekick, their pal.”

Not until she turns twelve, when insomnia has her viewing a late-night documentary about a mysterious untranslated document, does she begin to understand: “Until now, you didn’t realise that aliens existed, at least not for real. Until now, you didn’t realise they had their own language. To you, it makes a lot of sense. It makes a lot of sense because sometimes you feel like your language isn’t your language. Other people say things and you don’t know what they mean. Other people do things and you don’t know what they mean either. There is a disconnect, something profoundly wrong. You feel this strongly, feel it in your bones.”

The Voynich Manuscript, as it is called, has her fascinated. The librarians at the town library are very helpful; she voraciously devours anything they can find for her; she dreams of being able to decipher it, certain it will provide the answers she seeks about life, a guide to life on earth for this little alien.

She accidentally(?) reconnects with former classmate, Bobby, onto whose pink shoes she threw up when she first encountered him. He has not only stood up for her previously, but now seems so taken by her interest in the Voynich Manuscript, he enthusiastically conducts his own research and encourages into a (perhaps ill-prepared) expedition that has a number of consequences, not all of them bad…

Franklin adopts a second person narrative, with an unnamed linguist relating significant events in our little alien’s life, and appends each chapter with a decidedly tongue-in-cheek Further Reading list, as well as providing the linguist’s helpful footnotes. The reader might need to don their disbelief suspenders for certain aspects of the story (the school, the teachers, the entry to the University library, the mental institution, the police…) but accepting them as entertaining will allow full enjoyment of this funny, quirky and insightful tale.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Quercus/riverrun

[Laura (thenerdygnomelife) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Alien has never felt like she fits in, always a half beat off from what everyone else is doing. This feeling continues until she watches a late-night TV special and hears about the Voynich Manuscript — a mysterious and largely unknown document that has fascinated many of the scholars who have attempted to translate it. One scholar even went mad, convinced that the manuscript was written by an alien. Suddenly, everything makes sense: Little Alien feels certain that she's from outer space, separated from her true family. She becomes fixated on learning everything she can about the manuscript, hoping to learn more about herself in the process.

This debut novel is well crafted, with a unique style. Written in second person, the book puts the reader firmly into the shoes of a neurodivergent person. I admire the use of this writing strucutre as it seems wholly effective at recreating the out-of-body experience of an autistic child who is observing the world from a distance. You, as the reader, have your own experience that you bring into the book, and yet the narrator is telling you that you're having a different experience than what feels familiar to you. Little Alien's relationship with her father is especially heartwarming and encouraging. Read this if you enjoy coming-of-age novels, neurodivergence, and family dynamics.

Content notifications: profanity, neurodivergence, vomiting. Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Alice Franklin for an advance copy for honest review. 3.75 stars rounded up.

[Susan J. Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute delight from beginning to end. A beautiful, insightful and empathetic insight into neurodiversity, as Little Alien (because we never actually learn her name - ironic, given one of the observations made towards the end of the book) navigates childhood and adolescence. Added to her challenges is a mother who loves her deeply but is also struggling with mental health issues.
One of the aspects I loved about this story was the narrator character, who’s a linguist and offers many interesting insights and asides about the nature of language and how Little Alien processes it.
I listened to the audiobook, brilliantly narrated by Sally Phillips and I’m going to be banging on about it to everyone for at least the next twelve months (maybe longer - don’t say I didn’t warn you). At 304 pages with short chapters it’s also a fast read.
Five shiny ones from me for Alice Franklin’s enchanting debut, which releases on 13 February.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Audio for the advance review copy.

[Amelia Toften · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one had a lot of potential and really just didn't deliver. Initially I was loving the book, I loved the unique voice it had - clearly the girl, or "alien" as referred to in the book, is on the spectrum and one of her main struggles is language and speaking. I also thought the footnotes and "further reading" after each chapter were quirky and cute and very Where'd-You-Go-Bernadette-esque. And that's about where my likes stopped. I would have loved to have gotten more of an insight into our main character and her home life/growing up, but the book completely turned into an over analytical piece on this manuscript that we really never get an answer about. Things just kind of fell off. It was, however, a super quick read and I would definitely try something else from this author again.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Life Hacks for a Little Alien.

When I saw the title, I assumed it was about a main character who is an alien and looking to 'phone home.'

Rather, this is a story about a little alien, an unnamed main character who is on the spectrum and never quite feels like she belongs in her family and on this planet.

Little Alien, I can relate.

Told from the second person point of view, my least favorite of perspectives, we are offered a glimpse into this young person's life as she attempts to navigate a strange world where people speak a strange language and don't quite mean what they say.

I wished readers were given more insight into the family, who were obviously troubled and dealing with their own mental health issues.

When the Alien discovers the unusual Voynich manuscript, she becomes convinced it will explain the mysteries of the world, and herself.

I love the premise because who hasn't felt strange and odd in their own body and don't feel like they belong?

It's not easy reading a narrative using the second person which was very distracting.

I also wasn't a fan when the author delves into the complexities of language, a topic which is fascinating for the unnamed main character, but not to me.

I'm not sure of the ending; it's positive but it doesn't make sense.

I sense a deep message about the narrative but I'm not sure what the point is?

That we're all aliens in some way and all we need is some support and encouragement.

Yeah, I get that.

Still, I wanted to like this but I just couldn't.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Time passes gloopily. The earth orbits the Sun which in turn orbits the centre of the Milky Way. A variety of trees blossom. A variety of trees die. Doctors prescribe medicine. Pharmacists dispense medicine. Cars break down in the middle of the road. Some people lose their keys, other people lose their looks, still others lose their nerve. Babies are born bewildered. Old folks die while thinking of other things." - pg 261

This book had me tearing up at the end, not tearing up a book kind of tear but a tear slowly falling down your cheek kind. That's an example of some of the ways this book plays with language. Our main narrator is a linguist. The story is told in second person POV which is both unique and creates a sense of empathy for you, the reader. You feel empathy for this little girl who feels like an alien in a world that sees her as different. She sometimes makes her noises, she sometimes stays quiet if there is nothing to say to such obvious questions, she is often all too trusting, but for most people around her this doesn't make her "normal."

"You pass a car with a dog in it. The dog is sticking its head out the window., its pink tongue and long ears flopping in the wind. You briefly consider winding down the window to find out how it feels to stick your head out like that, but you know your dad wouldn't like it." - pg 132

I loved the writing in this, it's what immediately drew me in and kept me reading. I felt so invested in our Little Alien's life. While story wise it's not a crazy fast moving ride, lots of little things happen along the way that keep you interested and help to create this overall picture of her growing up over the years. It's somewhat cozy and a 1000% heartwarming. I felt like I learned so much about language, about the Voynich Manuscript and even about the UK. I don't know how accurate this depiction of autism (though not actually stated only speculated) really is but I think it was handled with care and a much deeper understanding then I have.

I think more people should read this book. It was fantastic. If you don't mind taking your time with a story that moves at its own pace you should pick this one up. The chapters are really short so that helps keep you reading along. The connection you feel deepening with this MC as you watch her stumbling through the world really helps to make the whole thing feel special all the way up until the end. What a fantastic debut. I would totally check out another book from Alice Franklin in the future!

[Jonathan K (Max Outlier) · Rating 3 out of 5]

With an MA in creative writing, Alice's book is unique in its narrative approach, but lacks the 'meat' that bring authors into the limelight. The author adds quirky footnotes in each chapter and fictional book titles at the end that add a jovial touch. Beyond this, 'cute' is the best description.

Told from the POV of the nameless 'alien child', the reader witnesses her thoughts, insights and narrative as she takes the journey of childhood. Her mum is mentally unstable, her Dad an actuary who loves her dearly and does what he can to protect her. She copes with school teachers and classmates in unusual manner, hence the reference to 'alien'. When her father drops her at the library, she becomes enamored with a book called the Voynitch Manuscript since it holds ancient secrets she feels are the key to life.

Characters are predictable and pace is a bit tedious, though the 'cute' element keeps the reader engaged. Its fun and unusual and a nice diversion yet nothing to 'write home to mother' about.

"...and that's all I'm gonna say about that.." ~ Forest Gump

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much about this I loved. “Little Alien,” our unnamed protagonist, is so mighty. She’s tough, resilient, observant, and incredibly passionate about the indecipherable (and possibly extraterrestrial) Voynich Manuscript. Little Alien forms a beautiful friendship with a kindred spirit and together they embark on the sweetest journey, discovering more about their mysterious manuscript - and how to exist in a world that was not created with their best interests in mind. I loved the writing style of Life Hacks for a Little Alien and found it to be incredibly compelling. Profound and a bit odd, in all the best ways.

[Brittany (whatbritreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me an early copy of this to review!*

If you’re a fan of Curious Incident, Eleanor Oliphant, or Strange Sally Diamond - I think you’ll really enjoy this one. It has little elements of all three narratives sprinkled in, which made for a really great reading experience.

It’s essentially a literary coming of age story about growing up neurodivergent, and how you see and understand the world. It’s also about how others try (or don’t try) to understand you, and how you navigate the world. I think even if you’re not a neurodivergent person, there’s still so much you can relate to and pull from this book because at its core it’s just about being human. Being a person trying to grow up, and find independence, and do and say the ‘right’ thing all of the time, and please other people constantly while trying to stay sane yourself. It was a really lovely exploration of the weird and wonderful thing that is life.

The writing here and the formatting of the story was really fun, I liked the little footnotes and ‘reading recommendations’ at the end of each chapter. It had such charm and personality to it, and I liked how warm and funny the narration was. In contrast to that though, I do think it was just incredibly sad as a story. There’s just an undercurrent of melancholy through the whole thing, and it’s heartbreaking to watch a neurodivergent child struggle without the adequate support and understanding of the people who are supposed to be caring and looking after them. It wasn’t all depressing, but it did make me really sad. Even her home and family life was quite traumatising, which was quite difficult to read at times.

Some of it was a little bit jumpy in terms of the timeline of events and the plot was a bit haphazard, but I liked it. I do think the ending was extremely rushed and blunt, but the sentiment behind it all was really sweet. I think had this given itself breathing room and been 100 or so pages longer, it could’ve been a five star book.

[Brittany Haas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

Life Hacks for a Little Alien was a surprisingly compelling read and I got the same feeling I did after reading this as I did after reading Remarkably Bright Creatures.

The story starts with the nameless protagonist (referred to as little alien) as a toddler, and the narrative takes you throughout her childhood as she struggles with feelings of isolation and alienness. While it is never explicitly stated, it is obvious that little alien is on the autism spectrum as she struggles with speaking, and stims by making noises and rocking back and forth when stressed.

The storytelling really allows you to feel the depth of frustration that little alien has since as the reader you can see all of her thoughts and feelings, but she is hampered by the inability to express them verbally. When rationalized by little alien, her actions make perfect sense to the reader, but her limited explanations fail to satisfy the people around her. I especially appreciated this since it really exemplified how being not just a child, but a child with autism, caused people to infantilize her due to this communication barrier. The number of times people said "use your words" in this book still enrages me, which I think is the point.

I did find that the story dragged a little bit in the middle, and a lot of the narrative gets taken up by one of little alien's special interests. I wish her relationships would have been a little bit further developed, especially with her parents and friend Bobby.

I'm also not a big fan of second person narration and footnotes, but I did appreciate the purpose of having both.

Overall a solid read and I would definitely read another book by this author.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher (Little, Brown and Company) for this ARC!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable novel about a neurodivergent teen girl and her special abilities that can take her places while she has to cope with feeling like an alien being (compared with her peers). In addition her mother struggles with mental illness, making for a very messy home. The novel is sad, funny, and poignant.
Great narration for the audiobook. I’m sorry you have to wait until Feb 2025 to read this. Highly recommended!
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HachetteAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.75 stars.

Thanks Quercus Books and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy!

Life Hacks For a Little Alien is a sweet story about humanness, language, and the differences that makes us ‘us’. Written in a second-person narrative, I admittedly found this really hard to read – I’m unused to this style. However, I soon found my footing and thought it was a smart device to make you, the reader, feel as uncomfy as our narrator, a young girl with autism. As she traverses through school, homeschooling, and other such milestones in childhood, we see the narrator’s struggles with being different to the other children. Her observations of the world are searing, laser-sharp, only the grown-ups don’t understand, the other kids call her an alien, something she’ll remember for years and even begin referring to herself as. Franklin’s treatment of the narrator is tender and soft, and peels back how it feels to live in a confusing world.

This is a sweet, heartwarming story that provides a mirror-clear representation of what it’s like to be neurodivergent. Having said that, I’m neurotypical so it might be best to take that with a pinch of salt! Once you get past the unusual second-person perspective, the story is genuinely lovely and I’ll be recommending this to many!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an utterly captivating, original and insightful book about a young neurodivergent girl, her complicated relationship with her parents and her obsession with a mysterious manuscript. Excellent on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Emily Austin, this likely won't be a book for everyone but I enjoyed it immensely! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Nicolette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want this book but with an adult as the main character.

[Anne Jisca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along the lines of Eleanor Oliphant, this book follows a little girl's childhood who is learning how the world operates around her. She is so sure she must be an alien because she is not like others. She is not "normal". She has a fascination with language: what words mean, their sounds, other languages, spoken, written, old manuscripts.

I love the glimpse it gives me into the minds and lives of neurotypical brains. It's fascinating and beautiful. It helps me understand my own son better too (autism).

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book was adorable. Also did I just realize we never learned the MC's name.... making it even more relatable!

A beautiful story giving us a look into the head of an neurodivergent adolescent and how she navigates throughout the world. The way her teachers and caregivers spoke to her was horrid and made my heart hurt. I loved how she found solace in the library and acceptance from the librarians. I love how passionate she is about the interest, while at the same time constantly questioning - wait am I sure I actually care? I was hoping for a little more character development, but this was an easy and thoughtful read.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Rosie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure this was meant to be a sad book but that's how it left me feeling. An autistic child, unsupported by family, is left to try and figure themselves out in a world that they can't understand.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

9781529435719
Yes, I understand why some people liked this but it’s not for me, I struggled with the lack of SEN support / diagnosis for her. The book felt like it should have been for YA, what with the way it was written and with the explanatory footnotes.

[linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was the weirdest ending ... 3 1/2 stars ...

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! Alice Franklin’s Life Hacks for a Little Alien is a story of a girl who sees the world so differently that she thinks she is an alien. Written from the author’s experience with autism, the book is an invitation into the mind of a neurodivergent child navigating a world that is often foreign and overwhelming. Through Little Alien’s eyes, Franklin gives you an immersive experience of someone’s life, portraying difference and the desire to connect that resides in all of us.

Little Alien is 4 when the book starts and lives with her parents in England. Her dad works as a risk manager and does his best to support and understand her, even when he doesn’t get her way of thinking and expressing herself. He’s patient and quietly encourages her to navigate the world, even though he struggles to get her. Her mother faces mental health challenges and is either fiercely protective or entirely disconnected. Little Alien knows something is wrong from the cues that her parents give away, and she feels alone and misunderstood not only by her school and teachers but many times by her family.

We accompany Little Alien through being expelled from two schools, trying to adapt to a new one (where she makes her only friend, Henry), her mother being admitted for mental health issues and an adventure with her parents that got her whole family involved. The education system fails her at nearly every turn, as teachers misjudge her behaviour, labelling her as disruptive or inattentive instead of recognising her need for structure and clarity. The lack of understanding creates an environment where she feels constantly out of place, misunderstood, and punished for being herself. These moments of distress are heartbreaking, and you can feel her desire to understand and do the right thing, alongside her pain of not getting what is requested of her and what the right thing to do is.

And this is where the book stands out. Written in the second person - “you” - it is meant to be experienced. There is a deep dive into Little Alien’s thinking and how she sees the world, with lengthy explanations. Her literal interpretation of language, such as puzzling over phrases like “time flies”, is part funny and heartbreaking. The humour gives a lightness to the book, even if some of the events are painful to read (like when she vomited because she was forced to run when she had no resources and nobody helped her out). You get to experience her heightened sensitivity to sounds and textures and a world rich in detail but so, so overwhelming. For example, for Little Alien, a classroom is not just a room with desks - it’s a battlefield with too much light, noises coming from all sides that she can not predict, and expectations she can not meet. The parts of the books depicting her school experience were the most difficult to read, as they highlight how institutions do not cater to children who don’t fit into a very narrow mould.

Nevertheless, Little Alien constantly tries to figure out the world around her. She is an avid reader, and she is passionate about language, especially dead languages. When she discovers the Voynich Manuscript, a centuries-old book written in an undeciphered script, she makes it her purpose to uncover its hidden codex. It somehow becomes an expression of her life - complex and difficult to decode but filled with hidden meaning for those who wish to look closely. She will start an adventure to discover the manuscript's secrets, taking her on a solo trip to London and more (she is 10 years old at this stage).

Overall, this story was so, so beautiful, and it should be one of the books you read this year. Alice Franklin writes with compassion and heart, giving a voice to those who are misunderstood. She captures Little Alien perfectly in her struggles to make sense of the world around her and in connecting with others when she doesn’t understand connections. Take hugs: she doesn’t enjoy them but understands that they are necessary for others, and she accepts them as long as they are not too long. Please read this book, it’s a great read, and it will open the perspective of minds that function differently from your own! Thank you, @putrifariza and @times.reads, for the gifted copy!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cool and important read. I think the author did a great job describing how it feels to be neurodivergent. This debut gives voice, humor and positivity to its challenges and gifts from a place of love and understanding. This was an empowering and heartwarming read for me. Recommend for anyone wanting to understand and embrace the perspective that neurodiversity is more than its old school portrayals.

[Ethan Sexton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The strength of concept here is excellent. However, if there’s two things I can’t stand in books, it’s second person and present tense…which this book has both of. I’m also not a huge fan of the sort of “slice of life” narrative employed here. Still, the strength of concept takes these things that I may not love, and it makes them at least fine. If there was something to tip the scales here from 2 stars to 3 stars, though, it’s the ending, which I do genuinely love. It’s an excellent final touch.

[Joanna Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon!

[Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely!!!! found it so relatable. great for my fellow people that feel like there's something different about them compared to other people