Thank you publisher, Little Brown & Company,NetGalley,author,Alice Franklin for the delightful coming of age novel,Life Hacks for a Little Alien. It’s the story of a young girl till the age of 18? who is neurodivergent living outside of London. From her early childhood she acts and speaks differently from others her age and her parents and many teachers don’t seem to understand her problems. She has symptoms of autism but also it could be any number of other neurodivergent problems. The way she sees the world and tries to understand it is quite funny. She’s incredibly intelligent but others just don’t understand her. She feels like an alien that was dropped down to earth and it mystifies her. I have never a book like this before and I hope to read many others by this new author.
It will be for sale February 11,2025.

This odd little book won’t be a good fit for everyone but I really enjoyed it. It is told in the second person as if you are the main character (a British child on the spectrum in a dysfunctional family) and your adult self from the future is walking through your childhood with gentle guidance and a bit of dark humor. I related to her as an outsider who is living a very different life than her peers and with a very different perspective, and I really grew to love her. The end felt abrupt and I wish more things were answered, but it is one of those books and characters that will stay with me.

I read a digital copy of this book for review.

I guess the plain fact of the matter is books about the neurodivergent just generally don't work for me. I have yet to find one that rang true for me - I always feel like they are condescending or patronizing, and the odd writing style (and footnotes) of this one just compounded that feeling. I couldn't get into this one at all.

Our narrator, whose name we never actually get, thinks of herself as an alien. She doesn't understand the people or world around her and struggles to navigate school, relationships, and her mom's own mental illness.

Along the way she discovers a mysterious manuscript that one commenter notes may have been created by aliens. She's spurred on by the thought that just maybe this is a guidebook for alien's to survive on earth and goes about learning everything she can about it, even getting to view it in person!

While the manuscript isn't the solution she hoped for, our little alien does find some kinship through this journey.

I appreciate the neurospicy rep and the slight twist in the epilogue with our narrator true reveal Overall this is a sweet story, especially for anyone who thinks a little differently than the world thinks is normal.

Life Hacks for a Little Alien
A Debut by Alice Franklin

Thank you @netgalley and @littlebrown for an e-ARC of this debut!

Our main character is a neurodivergent girl that appears to be on the spectrum navigating childhood amongst so many people that don't understand her. The story captures her struggles early on as a toddler through to her teenage years. She feels so disconnected and different from everyone around her that she believes herself to be an alien from another planet.

This book will not be for everyone as it is quite odd. It is told in 2nd person narration, with footnotes on word meanings and suggested reading. Once I got used to the writing style, I consumed it. The emotion around the "alien" not being able to verbally communicate for others to understand was heart breaking. I enjoyed the parts on etymology.

I recognize the manuscript as a way to show the aliens sole focus and obsession of a topic but didn't care for it. Seemed to drag in that part of the book.

What a strange book. I confess I walked away from it after reading about 20%, put off by the mannered writing style. So contrived I couldn’t continue. I tried again and plowed my way through but really didn’t enjoy it. The alien ( no spoiler) is a kid on the autism spectrum with a dysfunctional family. The plot is perfunctory and the conclusion barely satisfying. There is an occasional funny observation by the narrator who is either the subconscious of the unsocialized girl or, if you prefer, a mentor from an alien planet,, but aside from that, it is generally frustrating. I do not recommend.

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 neuro-spicy 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 peak 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.

This was such a cute story about a girl struggling to fit in and feeling alien in her world. We never learn the protagonist's name, but she comes across as a sweet, thoughtful girl trying to make sense of the big changes and challenges around her. I absolutely loved the narration—it made the story even more endearing.

While I was rooting for "little alien" the entire time, I found myself a bit lost when it came to the parts about the Voynich Manuscript. The focus on linguistics appealed more to the protagonist than it did to me. When I started this book, I thought it might be a 5-star read because of the engaging narration and the delightful reading lists at the end of each chapter. However, the heavy emphasis on linguistics left me a little bored, so I can’t quite give it 5 stars. Still, it’s a good book overall and a worthwhile read.

I liked reading the story from the perspective of a child with neurodiversity. I think the story was muddied by the mother's mental illness. I would have liked to read more about her interactions with others and how she coped in other subjects within the school environment. I liked the fun footnotes at the end of each chapter. I believe teachers of students with neurodiversity might find this book helpful so that could better learn how they are seen from a student's perspective.

A thank you to the publisher and netgally for the advance copy of this book.

I really wanted to like this one. I tried to read it, but only got two chapters in before it became too much. I think its the way it is written that stopped me from going on with this one. I will try again later with audio, because the description of this one is so good

Another reviewer described this read as "a reflection on a massively misunderstood childhood from the view of a person who DOES understand - the adult child themselves," and I could not find better words to explain it myself.

We follow an unnamed protagonist who is referred to as Little Alien through various stages of her life. We watch her struggle to fit in and understand both herself and her surroundings. Little Alien represents neurodivergent children, she highlights how children who are different can be misunderstood and thought of as being incapable.

One of my favorite parts about this book were the footnotes with each chapter and how the book is formatted to be like a little guide for the main character. I felt that the end was a little rushed, but that could just be me wanting more. I enjoyed this read and would highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this quiet book about a woman on the spectrum looking back at her younger self and trying to help that self make sense of her world. The main character struggles to understand and co-exist with people, both adults and children. It's not until she accidentally discovers the existence of a mysterious manuscript that she finds something, and someone, to connect with. If the manuscript was really written by aliens, as many believe, then perhaps she, feeling like an alien herself, could translate it. Eventually the manuscript helps her find her place in the world. It's a cute story, at times it's laugh-out-loud funny, and I loved the main character.

Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin is an experimental and literary tale about a young human girl growing up thinking she is an alien. Starkly different from the world around her, she doesn’t quite know how to communicate her wants and needs in a way that is effective or conventional. It is not until she watches a documentary covering the conspiracy belief that the famed Voynich Manuscript might be unbreakable due to its alien language, that she sees herself represented.
This novel is a daring and extremely heartfelt read. The unnamed protagonist lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but no one in her life seems to connect her experiences and expressions to this disorder, leaving her with little resources and opportunities to communicate in the ways she needs to. Every adult in her life is either disinterested in her success in development, marks her as mentally “slow,” or is simply in denial about her very obvious differences between her and her peers. Some early parts of this novel are hard to read, as the reader feels the need to advocate on behalf of the protagonist, who cannot advocate for herself, especially in school situations, where she is constantly shoved into the wrong classes for the wrong reasons.
As someone who grew up on the autism spectrum myself (and who, like the protagonist, slipped through the cracks of diagnosis due to a myriad of reasons), I found the identity shaping and making in this novel to be a fantastic representation of my own experiences. I think every child feels this to some extent, but I imagine neurodivergent children feel this alien identity even moreso. For several years of my life, I was convinced that I couldn’t be the same as all these “normal” people, because my priorities and interests were so divergent; I was convinced I was actually a fictional character come to life, and that each book I read was a stepping stone in finding out with book I actually belonged in.
The most notable and most effective choice that Franklin employs in her writing is her use of the second person narrative structure. The narrator is actually the protagonist from the future, who has come to her past self to share her experiences and provide hope for her as she matures into her interests as a linguist and researcher. This small bit of magic frames the whole story, and leaves the reader with the impression that magic (and/or alien technology) may in fact be real. It is not only a woman reflecting on her experiences of growing up on the spectrum, but is also a cry of hope and resilience to the reader; we know she makes it through.
I truly enjoyed this read, and found myself aching for more time with our protagonist. I wanted to sit down with her and listen to her gush about linguistics and manuscripts, and be her friend in the same alien way that I know she would be mine.
It’s tough for us aliens out there, and Alice Franklin does an incredible job making us feel like we’re not really alone.

Before she becomes Little Alien, our narrator is just a lonely girl from southeast England who feels out of place, like she doesn’t quite fit into the world around her. One night, while watching a TV special about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript, something shifts—maybe she’s not as alone as she thought. Believing this strange book holds the answers, she and her only friend, Bobby, set off on a journey that will change everything.

Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin is a heartfelt debut—tender, bittersweet, and full of unexpected humor. This story follows Little Alien as she tries to make sense of a confusing world, one where people often don’t say what they mean and tend to misjudge her. Though others label her as “stupid,” she’s anything but. She’s sharp, curious, and sees the world in her own profound way.

Franklin beautifully portrays Little Alien’s intense focus on what truly fascinates her, something that will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced or understands neurodivergence. In the end, it’s her love of books, the refuge of libraries, and the friends who really see her that help her navigate her path.

This novel is not just heartwarming—it’s a celebration of being different, of seeing the world through a unique lens. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories that make you laugh, think, and feel deeply.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company.

I like books about neurodivergent people. I like books that send me down rabbit trails like researching the Voynich Manuscript. I like books that include libraries. I liked this book. But the epilogue left me confused. Don’t let that stop you from diving into the autistic world of a young girl, who comes of age through linguistics. Life Hacks for a Little Alien is a poignant tale about a girl who has a lot stacked against her but still manages to, well… I won’t spoil it by spilling the plot. The descriptions of her thinking processes are spot on for someone who is wired differently than most. The secondary characters are also typically trying to do what’s best but fumbling at every turn. Except Bobby. Gotta love Bobby.

I don’t like leaving Little Alien. It’s too soon. I earnestly request a sequel, Alice Franklin. Thank you to NetGalley for the prepub opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

This book is just beautiful. I could not put it down. A unique character study of a "Little Alien" - a young girl who feels different from everyone, this book hit home for someone who is also neurodivergent. Though it isn't a typical story, and feels very much like it could be meandering, the narrator walking us through Little Alien and her feelings is a complex, subtle, and deep explanation of what it means. to feel different. I was emotional reading this novel, feeling both hope and anguish at different moments. This is an important insight into how different minds work, and a reminder not to judge what you see on the surface.

The exploration into language and what gives words meaning is a nice layer on top of the narrative.

While not for everyone, I still highly recommend this book, and applaud Franklin on a wonderful debut.

An interesting concept about a neurodivergent child growing up. There were very few people in the community around the protagonist that treated her with respect. It felt sad, but also indicative of a larger societal problem. Because the book was written in a second person narrative, I struggled to connect to the story. It felt like I was on the outside, as an observer instead of being immersed in the lives of the characters. Overall, the writing was interesting, but the characters felt a little two-dimensional.
Three stars!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel is a quick read that is humorous, heart-warming, and serious. I cheered on the “little alien” as she learned, and found herself in the world. I think all readers can relate to this book. I look forward to reading more from Alice Franklin.

This was great! Parts of the coming of age themes reminded me of Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon . I could see this book becoming popular with book clubs, definitely purchase a copy for your library patrons!

This was really charming.

If you love the magic of language and words this book feels like a lover letter to them, wrapped up in a heartwarming story told through the eyes of a neurodiverse child.

A celebration on difference and being okay in our own skin, I can see this being a big hit.