Life Hacks for a Little Alien
Author: Alice Franklin
Published by: Quercus Books
Pages: 295
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★
Published by: Quercus Books
Pages: 295
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★
Tender, life-affirming and full of humour, Life Hacks for a Little Alien is the story of a young girl growing up in the nineties and noughties, trying to navigate a world that makes her feel like she’s from another planet. It’s about the wonder of libraries and the power of language in finding a path that fits when you yourself do not.
Quercus’s lead debut for 2025, get ready to meet Little Alien.
Quercus’s lead debut for 2025, get ready to meet Little Alien.
My thoughts:
Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin is a heartwarming, humorous and touching novel that follows the story of a girl who feels like an outsider navigating the often-alienating landscape of adolescence.
Alice Franklin writes with a refreshing and heartfelt dive into the mind of a girl who feels like she’s from a different planet – literally. The protagonist is quirky, imaginative, and delightfully relatable. She’s navigating the tricky terrain of adolescence armed with a series of ‘life hacks’ that help her cope with social situations, school, and family, all while she wrestles with her own sense of alienation.
I think what really makes this book stand out is Franklin’s sharp, witty voice and her knack for capturing the awkwardness, confusion, and loneliness of childhood and teenage years. Chloe’s fascination with space and her feeling of being an “alien” is both humorous and touching, making her journey one that resonates deeply.
Her friendship with Oliver, another “alien” in his own right, is a bright spot in the book, bringing out the beauty of finding connection where you least expect it. The two characters bond over shared interests and vulnerabilities, offering a hopeful message about the power of friendship and empathy.
Franklin’s writing shines in how she turns the protagonist’s sense of ‘otherness’ into something universally relatable. The humour keeps things light, but there’s plenty of emotional depth, especially as she learns that she is not alone in her feelings of isolation and that being different can be a strength rather than a weakness. Her courage in sharing her life hacks with her classmates is a powerful, feel-good moment that will stick with readers.
Overall reaction:
Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin is a heartwarming, humorous and touching novel that follows the story of a girl who feels like an outsider navigating the often-alienating landscape of adolescence.
Alice Franklin writes with a refreshing and heartfelt dive into the mind of a girl who feels like she’s from a different planet – literally. The protagonist is quirky, imaginative, and delightfully relatable. She’s navigating the tricky terrain of adolescence armed with a series of ‘life hacks’ that help her cope with social situations, school, and family, all while she wrestles with her own sense of alienation.
I think what really makes this book stand out is Franklin’s sharp, witty voice and her knack for capturing the awkwardness, confusion, and loneliness of childhood and teenage years. Chloe’s fascination with space and her feeling of being an “alien” is both humorous and touching, making her journey one that resonates deeply.
Her friendship with Oliver, another “alien” in his own right, is a bright spot in the book, bringing out the beauty of finding connection where you least expect it. The two characters bond over shared interests and vulnerabilities, offering a hopeful message about the power of friendship and empathy.
Franklin’s writing shines in how she turns the protagonist’s sense of ‘otherness’ into something universally relatable. The humour keeps things light, but there’s plenty of emotional depth, especially as she learns that she is not alone in her feelings of isolation and that being different can be a strength rather than a weakness. Her courage in sharing her life hacks with her classmates is a powerful, feel-good moment that will stick with readers.
Overall reaction:
