The Only Alien on the Planet

The Only Alien on the Planet
by Karen D. Randle
Published by Scholastic (1995)
228 pages; ages 14+

Synopsis: Ginny finds herself struggling to keep her family together and adjust to a new high school and new friends when her family moves. Her parents spend all their time preparing to start a new business, and Ginny is left to take care of the household and her siblings. When Ginny becomes friends with Caulder, she starts befriending Smitty, a boy who doesn't talk or show emotion. As Ginny gets closer to Smitty she starts trying to help him open up to human interaction, but she soon pushes a little too hard and lands Smitty into a mental facility to face his problem.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: contains some intense family scenes and themes. It also deals with mental and emotional disorders, which may make some people uncomfortable.

Recommendations: Slumming by Kristen D. Randle; Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli; Breaking Rank by Kristen D. Randle; Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman