The Only Alien on the Planet (Library Binding)

~ Kristen D. Randle (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

New student Ginny is intrigued by the handsome alien in her homeroom?no, this is not a science fiction novel. Smitty?real name Michael?is known to his schoolmates as "The Alien" because of his affectless appearance and complete silence. Soon, Ginny and Smitty's longtime protector, Caulder, team up to try and crack his shell. They get much more than they bargain for when they drag him along on old-movie outings; as a none-too-subtle plot device, the first turns out to be The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, the second, East of Eden. Smitty walks out of both, for it turns out that he was almost fatally abused by his older brother, who also convinced him that he would die if he spoke to anyone. With the help of Ginny, Caulder and a wise and sympathetic therapist, Smitty emerges from this psychological curse, and he and Ginny even begin a tentative romantic relationship. Randle (Why Did Grandma Have to Die?) unfortunately builds her otherwise well-crafted novel around an uncharacteristic response to abuse. Under his pain, Smitty is totally honest and caring?a very romantic figure, but not one likely to be found in the real world. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-12. Ginny Christianson had been a happy person: "happy, cheerful, easygoing, reasonably popular even." When her family suddenly relocates and a beloved older brother leaves for college at the same time--well, let's just say Ginny is a "displaced person." As life manages to go on, and fun, caring new friends begin to fill the gap, a strange boy at school captures Ginny's attention. Smitty Tibbs is a brilliant, handsome boy who never speaks. He is known as the Alien and lives in total isolation from emotion and communication--tolerated by the other students but pretty much left alone. Meanwhile, Ginny's new friend Caulder has long been fascinated with Smitty and is determined to break through to him. Together Caulder and Ginny take Smitty in and begin to probe at the barriers he has thrown up, the abuse he has suffered, and the resulting silence into which he's retreated. Ginny's deft and engaging narration reveals a delightful and totally believable teen. The otherwise strongly drawn characters sometimes delve into dialogue that sounds like social-work parlance, but we can forgive because the overall impact of this psychological novel is so powerful. Anne O'Malley

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Library Binding: 228 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590463098
• ISBN-13: 978-0590463096
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,785,283 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Touching story of human emotion, May 2, 2002

By	"the_phantoms_opera" (Cleveland, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Only Alien on the Planet (Mass Market Paperback)

I first stumbled across a copy of this book by sheer accident. I had been in the high school library searching for a book-- any book-- that cautght my interest. You see, it is mandatory that we read during a specified time in class and I needed a book desperately. I had already been in the library fifteen minutes when my English teacher told me to just pick something and go. As fate would have it, I grabbed The Only Alien on the Planet. The book was a fast read, but I read it over and over again for weeks. I felt connected to Michael-- Smitty-- on a very deep level. Perhaps it was because I'm very much like him (although I do tend to speak more than I should). The book is touching, deep, and frighteningly real. Ms. Randle captures the heart and soul of human emotion, existance, frailty, and hidden strength. I, too, was helped by friends who were desperate to get me out of my shell and wanted to know the truth behind my phantom scars. If Michael were a real person, and to me he is, he would be the closest person to me. A dear friend and companion, even though he is distant. Ms. Randle-- Bravissimo.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only Alien on the Planet, January 22, 2001

By	C. Gorman "book horder" (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Only Alien on the Planet (Mass Market Paperback)

The first word that came out of my mouth when I read this book was "WOW." The Only Alien on the Planet was powerful and moving, a book that I've read over and over again, and I read it again yesterday...I cried. This book is amazing, a must-read, and probably the best book I've ever read. In a way, it's a study of human psychology and behavior disguised as a story, a very involved, detailed, wondrous story. Interesting as well is Smitty's wordless perspective on everything, and how he reacts to Ginny when she comes near him, while he seems to have done nothing outside of his mind for fifteen years.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never make the mistake you're the Only Alien on the Planet, September 11, 2000

By	Meg (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Only Alien on the Planet (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of those books that you read and reread everytime you think about the story. I am captivated every single time I read The Only Alien on the Planet. I am dragged into the situation and emotions that wrap around Ginny and Smitty. The struggles that they go through are made real and deep (3D). I especially love and appreciate the way the author presents the story, told by Ginny, and the commentary she provides. It definately comes across that a teenager tells the tale, with a teen's emotions, insecerities and thoughts. Randle has a special, facinating writing style that adds so much to the story. (the book couldn't be written any other way, and have the same meaning.) And the "highs" of the story are well done. The book (overall) is extremely satisfying. This is one of those books that you HAVE to finish before you turn out the light at night (even to all hours)!