Life Hacks for a Little Alien

LoveReading Says

The product of an anxious mother and a risk aware father Little Alien has a unique voice, a matter-of-fact way of looking at the world and trying to comprehend everything within it.

A loner at school, she struggles to find her place and at four and a half years old is kicked out of school for trying to throw the class fish in the bin. On another occasion someone tells her to cut up the bibles. So she does. 

Struggling with the complications of language, emotional comprehension, social niceties, acceptable behaviour, her swooshy stomach, bright lights, her tired mind, she longs for the hour when it’s acceptable to fall asleep. 

Until Bobby. Who sticks up for her. Is this what friendship is?

Flitting between home schooling and mainstream education, Little Alien feels continually disconnected, feels that her language isn't her language. Confused when other people say things and she doesn’t know what they mean, when people do things and she doesn’t know what they mean.

This sparkling and stirring novel is an incredibly special debut. It's a book for those with a love of words. An appreciation of language. Of literary prowess. It's about one little girl’s obsession with a mysterious manuscript, her literary pursuit, her alien endeavour. How she finds her way in the world through her love of language. How she finally feels seen.

An awkward soul whose thirst for knowledge and love of her library enables her to overcome the distinct possibility that the literature of her people will elude her forever. Little Alien is a neurodivergent Matilda for a new generation, and I want to be on her planet.

Deborah Maclaren

About Life Hacks for a Little Alien

'Wise and playful and tender and beautiful' Bobby Palmer'So brilliant, so original and lovely and funny, that it reminds you of the point of reading' Rebecca WaitPerfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Remarkably Bright Creatures, this is a charming, witty and moving novel about what it feels like to grow up neurodivergent.'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'From her first words to her first day at school, Little Alien can't help but get things wrong. She doesn't understand the world the way others seem to, and the world doesn't seem to understand her either. Her anxious mum and meticulous dad, while well-intentioned, are of little help.But when Little Alien sees a documentary about the Voynich Manuscript - a mediaeval codex written in an unknown language and script - she begins to suspect that there are other people who feel just like her. Convinced that translating this manuscript will offer the answers she needs, she sets out on a journey that will show her a delicious taste of freedom.So begins this charming, witty, and profoundly moving novel about the power of language, the wonder of libraries - and how to find a path that fits, when you yourself do not.'Unique and thoroughly engaging. It is insightful and funny and gently poignant. By telling the story of one little alien, Alice Franklin has told the story of many' Pip Williams, author of The Dictionary of Lost Words'Totally addictive and brilliant . . . Life Hacks for A Little Alien is sure to find its place as one of the best loved works of fiction' Aimée Walsh, author of Exile'Immersive, moving, and fizzing with humour, I couldn't put this book down and I still can't let the character go' Paula Lichtarowicz, author of The Snow Hare'A rare energy lights this wonderful book: a unique recipe of humour, heart, frankness, and an unstoppable fascination with language' Han Smith, author of Portraits at the Palace of Creativity and Wrecking'Witty, bold, heart-warming and entirely delicious. I devoured it' Jyoti Patel, author of The Things that we Lost

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