How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend [Kindle Edition]

Gary Ghislain (Author)

Book Description

David Gershwin's summer is about to take a turn for the weird. When his dad's new patient Zelda tells him shes from outer space and on a quest to take Johnny Depp back to her planet, he knows he should run away screaming. But with one look from her mean, green eyes, David's hooked, and soon he's leaping across rooftops, running from police, and stealing cars just to stay by her side. He might not be a typical hero, but David's going to get the girl even if it takes him to the ends of the earth—or beyond.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[T]his improbably entertaining adventure feels like a Daniel Pinkwater treatment for an early John Cusack film" - Publishers Weekly

"This book should be in the hands of every teen male reader" - Shelf Awareness

"With a decidedly European sensibility, this French import takes readers on a madcap, quirky adventure..." - School Library Journal

About the Author

Gary Ghislain is a French-American author living in Antibes, France. This is his first novel.

Product Details

• File Size: 277 KB
• Print Length: 177 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0811874605
• Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC (May 27, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0056G37QW
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,379 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars sci-fi quirkiness June 22, 2011

By Medeia Sharif

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

David's father is a psychotherapist, helping patients in the French countryside. He has a new patient named Zelda, who talks about being an alien from the planet Vahalal. She's on a mission to find her mate--she has his genetic code and pictures of him, but she doesn't know his whereabouts. David usually thinks nothing of his father's patients, but he can't ignore Zelda. She says strange things, has a violent streak, is covered in tattoos...and she's incredibly hot. David finds himself doing anything to be near her. They go on a wacky adventure through Paris, eluding police officers and searching for her chosen one, who happens to be Johnny Depp. This book is hilarious and fun. Because of the length and fast-paced action, I read it fast. And I want more of this sci-fi quirkiness.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars How this book stole my afternoon July 2, 2011

By Melaina Lara VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

How I adored this book! It was a fresh and breezy take on a couple themes, aliens, coming of age, and love. It was a fast read, that had the action moving the entire time.
I can't say I liked the characters much, but that's not really what moved the book. The action and ideas behind them drove me to keep turning the pages.
I know a lot of people are turned off by the 'implied sexual encounter' being in a book rated for those 12 and up. But, frankly, it wasn't icky or descriptive. It wasn't anything a 12+ reader picking up this book wouldn't already be aware of. Honestly, I thought the violence was much more problematic... seriously, the beat downs were ALL over this book.
It's a creative little book, very funny and enjoyable to read. I'm going to have my 13y/o niece read it, because she's going to think it's great!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute and funny... June 29, 2011

By Sarah Woodard

Format:Hardcover

This book is just what you would expect from the title. It is funny, quirky, and full of action. There were a lot of unique and one of a kind characters. David is a sweet boy that gets stuck in the middle of the story. Zelda is rather violent at times, but you can't help loving her. She is really interesting and one of a kind. David's mother scared me. She was so mean to everyone and had to have it her way. The plot of this book was really unique. It was very wild and so much was happening at once. Luckily I never felt overwhelmed and was able to enjoy this quick and fun read. I recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Reading with Tequila June 8, 2011

By Jennifer Sicurella VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend is an interesting read. It's imaginative and well-envisioned. The story itself took a little while to convincingly transition from a seemingly social issues novel to clear science fiction adventure. This slow build up helps in creating a feeling of utter reality in a unbelievable situation, but the slow going may lose some readers interest early on.

While I loved the plot, I have a very difficult time with most of the characters. David was hard to connect with. He's an average boy whose lusty feelings towards this clearly insane girl lead him on an adventure. Pretty understandable, but mostly I thought he was just being an idiot. Probably the adult in me coming out here, but his motivation to help Zelda so often and at such a risk to himself was lost on me. Zelda grew on me over time, but her actions and motivations were so alien to me (because, yeah) that I found it hard to care whether or not she ever found her supposed soul mate, Johnny Depp.

I found David's parents to be much more interesting and enjoyable than the main characters. David's dad, a psychiatrist, struggling with how to deal with Zelda was fascinating. As was David's mom's clearly selfish lifestyle. Even Malou, David's older sort-of-step-sister who lived on her own was more interesting that the characters I was supposed to care about.

I think my main trouble relating to David and Zelda was because How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend is a little too young for me. It straddles the border between middle grade and young adult well and will most likely appeal to readers in those age groups alone. Adult readers of young adult novels may be better served looking elsewhere for their next sci-fi YA read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Take me to your movie star.... May 3, 2011

By DelusionalAngel VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Thanks to his father's career as a therapist David Gershwin is used to experiencing people who make odd claims. Until he sees Zelda in his father's office he's never really taken much interest in these patients. Sure Zelda claims to be from Vahalal, to be three hundred and twenty five years old, and is a bit mean to David -- but hey she's cute and scares the heck out of grown men, what more could a fourteen year old boy want in a girl? Maybe to not have her searching for her chosen one (Johnny Depp) so that she can get back to her home planet with him, leaving David behind for good? Still what's a guy to do if he wants to spend time with his dream girl but help her on her quest.

I won't spoil anything but I do have a few minor issues with the book here and there. Whether you're believing she's an alien or are trying to find alternate answers for the craziness as you read, well, the generic answer for aging is just convenient, how authorities deal with assaults and dangerous people = iffy and also convenient. Some aspects felt a little rushed. Still it's a super fast fun read despite its occasional flaws.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Coming of Age April 27, 2011

By Reverend Skull VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I was enthralled by this fun read. Finished it in two sittings. Surprises abound, keeping me in suspense for the whole ride. Sure, there are questions of morality that seem to be ignored, but this is science fiction. If you ignore the underage sex and alien violence, there is plenty of fun and humor. I think the title alone will sell millions of copies. It sold me.

More About the Author

Born in France to an international family (1 part French, 2 parts Spanish, 1 part Strange), Gary Ghislain grew up between Paris and the French Riviera. After obtaining a master's degree in literature and linguistics at the University of Paris 8, he packed his passport, a few reasonably clean T-shirts and his beloved Converse shoes, and headed out to travel the world, work odd jobs and write young adult novels. He now lives in Antibes on the French Riviera, enjoying the sun and the sea while working on his novels.