User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
I don’t like bully books. That’s a tough thing to say when you’re a librarian that reads tons of children’s titles for a living. It’s kind of like saying “I find breathing air annoying” or “I wish water were less inside my cells.” If you work with children’s literature then bully books are ubiquitous. Omnipresent. The lazy writer’s method of conjuring up quick conflict at a moment’s notice. As a kid I felt the same way, though. If I sensed even a whiff of bullying, I turned tail and ran the other way (though one always makes exceptions for the odd Harriet the Spy title, of course). These days I am a fully functioning adult, so I can pick and choose which books to read, and my fellow library workers know me well enough to steer me away from the bully lit. Once in a while, though, one sneaks through. It was my co-worker Brian that sold me on trying Tae Keller’s latest. I’d read When You Trap a Tiger and liked it fine, but nothing about it was powerful enough to overcome my instinctual avoidance of all things bullyish. “It kind of has some science fiction elements to it,” Brian said. At this, my ears pricked up. I love science fiction. He was quick to note that it was mild, but that hint of something otherworldly was enough to get me to give it a go. I started listening to the audiobook. Then, when that turned out to be too slow, I graduated to a physical copy. Is
Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone a bully book? Yes, in the sense that bullying is the crux of the novel. But you might just as easily say that the book is less about bullying between kids and more about the bigger picture. How do we justify cruel behavior? Can a person who is essentially good still be considered good if they do bad things? To what extent does our position in society dictate our behavior, and does it have to? Bully books lack nuance. This book? A deeply nuanced take, unafraid to declare loudly that when it comes to human nature, there are no easy answers.
Some say the end of the world will come with a bang. Others, with a whimper. But Mal is fairly certain it’s already happened and it came with a buzz. At her school’s evening orchestra concert, Mal’s best friend Reagan has received a text with bad news: Jennifer Chan has run away from home. Through flashbacks, we find that over the summer Mal befriended Jennifer, the new girl, in a town in Florida that Mal flatly calls “Nowhereville”. Once school started, however, Jennifer’s upfront fascination with contacting aliens is a threat to not just her popularity but Mal’s as well. Cut to today and we learn that Jennifer ran away shortly after something terrible Mal and her friends did, which she simply calls “The Incident”. When Mal decides that there’s a distinct possibility that Jennifer may have actually successfully contacted aliens, she employs old friends, new friends, and all her resources to tracking Jennifer down. But will her sudden care be enough to make up for what she’s already done? What makes a person good or bad? And where is Jennifer?
I’m always intrigued by the choices a novelist makes when writing a book for kids. Do you write from one perspective? Two? Twenty? Do you stay entirely in the present or jump to the past? First person or third? Present tense or past tense? In the case of
Jennifer Chan Keller mixes it up a bit. We’re in the present in the beginning with Mal. She flashes back to the past periodically, but it’s still all from her perspective. And then, all of a sudden, we’re occasionally reading the notebook entries of Jennifer, in the past, from her own first-person perspective. This caught me entirely off guard, particularly since I initially listened to the audiobook of this title and the casting director decided to cast a different actress to do the voice of Jennifer during these sequences. It has the interesting effect of giving the reader a little shock. You’re so embedded in Mal’s mind, within Mal’s self-justifications, that to actually hear from the missing girl herself (albeit from before she went missing) hits you differently. I wonder if it also has the effect of calling into question Mal’s motives too. Not to say that Keller ever goes so far as to make Mal an unreliable narrator per se. But aren’t all first-person narratives unreliable to some extent? Hearing Jennifer defend herself by merely being herself and telling her own story throws the reader’s focus outside of Mal’s mind. The obvious benefit to the story is that the distance, however brief, doesn’t make you unsympathetic to your usual narrator, but neither are you going to just go along with every justification she pulls out of the ether. Clever.
I’m going back through the book right now, to try to pinpoint that moment when you believe, care, and invest in Mal versus the moment when you realize the full extent of the horrible acts she’s participated in. This book could only have worked if it began from Mal’s p.o.v. The first person narration lets you see her friends through her eyes. At what point does Keller let you realize that you’re essentially hanging out with the school mean girls? For some, it may be as late as the moment when Jennifer literally realizes that Mal is not worthy of her friendship and says, point blank, “Oh. I get it. You’re mean girls.” Jennifer’s the type to say the quiet part loud, so to speak, but that realization, in spite of everything we’ve heard until now, may well be the one that a lot of kid readers have at the same time. Because Keller isn’t dealing with the usual bullying stereotypes. I’m not saying we’ve never seen middle grade novels from the bullies’ perspective before, but
Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone is different in a lot of ways. Mal spends a great deal of time wrestling with the question of whether or not she’s a bad person. It would be interesting to count the number of times one character or another asks the people around them that very question. “Am I a bad person?” What is a bad person anyway? Mal seems nice when you’re living inside of her head, but we see her do terrible things, sometimes actively, sometimes passively. And how does that make her any different than us? Is the reader complicit by sympathizing with her? Would love to hear kids debate this idea.
Much of what Keller captures so brilliantly is that middle school feeling of trying to keep your head low. Not every book for kids that I read brings me back to that time, but this one sure did. I didn’t have popular friends so Mal’s fate was not my own, but attempting to disappear into the woodwork was very much my own specialty. When Mal sees a crowd gathering to watch a confrontation between Jennifer and the casually awful Pete, she wishes desperately that someone would intervene. Just not her. Never her. It’s incredibly easy to take this middle school setting and apply it to the wider world. People aren’t at their worst selves in middle school. They may just be more honest about how they actually feel, is all. Keller probes that distinction. She makes the details specific to this story, universal. I would wager that there’s not a person out there who wouldn’t be able to relate to something that Mal says or feels at one time or another. Her character is so beautifully drawn, allowing the reader to love and loathe her by turns because, honestly, we may feel culpable at times.
The dialogue and writing between characters could easily devolve into a series of platitudes forced upon the reader by the author. Instead, they not only come off sounding natural, but inevitable. In one scene Mal’s talking to a girl named Kath and they’re getting into the weeds of what being a good person is. Mal says, “Maybe it’s more complicated than knowing the right thing. Maybe people are just trying to balance helping other people and keeping themselves safe.” Kath replies, “Maybe. But sometimes I think complicated is the word people use when they don’t want to think too hard.” And then Keller does this elegant maneuver not two pages later. It’s really adept, so you kind of have to see it for yourself, but she manages to go from this conversation about being a good person to the two characters effortlessly making fun of their classmate Tess. When they realize what they’re doing the pull up short, but the shared connection they felt when they were mean to a third party? It’s something so many of us have done. Does the fact that they feel bad about it make them better people than those of us that never thought twice?
Oh. And there are some aliens. The greatest compliment I could probably give to this book is to say that the aliens are possibly the least interesting aspect of this story. I can guarantee that some poor kid is going to be told that this is a definite science fiction tale, only to be disappointed to find that it’s a lot of ethical dilemmas and moral quandaries and very few little green men. Keller’s always been comfortable mixing the magical with her reality, but here’s it’s more of a seasoning than a main course. It provides just the slightest hint of the otherworldly, which I must say really helps propel you through some of the more difficult moments. At the same time, when I put this book down at the end of the day, the unsolved nature of whether or not there really are aliens didn’t perturb me in the least. I was much more perturbed by the question of how the friendships in this book will ultimately fall out.
I don’t like bully books. But I will go to my grave defending and championing
Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone. More to the point, I know I would have really enjoyed this book as a kid too. Come for the aliens. Stay for man’s inhumanity to man. I like a middle grade novel that takes a great big swing. A story about a girl who runs away after she’s been bullied doesn’t sound particularly great on paper, but like all great authors, Tae Keller can take that seemingly simple material and turn it into a serious consideration of what we owe each other. There’s philosophy embedded in its pages, and you don’t have to scratch too deeply to find it. This is a book for the bullied, the bullies, and the onlookers. It provides no solutions but there's comfort lodged in its title and repeated by Tae Keller at the end of her Author’s Note:
“Know that you are not alone.”
Rating: really liked it
After the death of her beloved father, Jennifer Chan’s mom relocates them from Chicago to Florida. Despite the title, Jennifer Chan is pretty much alone. Rejected by the cool clique and even the nerds, Jennifer is one quirky girl who doesn’t fit in anywhere. She completely believes in aliens and being herself — and that makes her the subject of ridicule. And then she goes missing.
Telling anything else would ruin this fabulous novel. While aimed at tweens and young teens, adults will adore this books just as much — especially as Jennifer, believed to a
naïf, sees the most clearly of all.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
So far, this is one of my favorite books published in 2022. A classmate goes missing and Mallory is determined to find her. Big questions about the universe and aliens are asked, and the story depicts very well the different roles people can play in fostering an environment of bullying. I marveled at how Tae Keller balanced telling an engaging, page-turning story while incorporating bullying in a complex and nuanced way. Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC of this book.
Rating: really liked it
This book ... wow. I'm speechless. Every middle schooler needs to read this book. I think it would be great to read as a whole class, or in book circles. The deep dive into the mentality of bullying and popularity is so, so thought provoking and real and necessary.
I loved Mal. I also hated Mal. That's how you know it's a real, breathing character--when you're gripped by fierce love and understanding--and also anger and even hatred. I hated her for what she did. I hated her for what I saw of herself in me. I loved her for how she tried, and who she was in that trying. I loved how the story ended, with things not exactly right, but resolved, and as right as they could be, given the circumstances.
Keller is a master of magical realism. This was a little less magical than her previous work, but it was still delightfully mysterious and fun. I don't know that I've actually read a book about aliens like this one before, where there's an honest to goodness alien hunt going on, and that was really fun. I would have adored this book growing up.
The whole book was very gripping, the plot flitting between two timelines--the present and the then--but it was never confusing. I was right with Mal and her story the whole time. The only reason it took me a while to read was because it was an e-arc on my phone, and I hate reading on my phone. But once I got past the 5th chapter, I was hooked and read it in one sitting. That's saying a lot for it being on my phone!
Thank you to netgalley for the free arc!
Rating: really liked it
3.5⭐Woah, this middle-grade novel turned out to be a much heavier read than I'd expected but in a good way because it highlights important topics such as peer pressure and bullying so well. I also love the Asian representation.
The book left me with mixed feelings though. On one hand, it's very well-written and most of the characters are sufficiently developed so you really feel for them. The story is interestingly told from the perspective of Mallory, who you can arguably say is the 'bully' here.
However, we get so much insight about Mallory's thoughts and actions that it's hard to feel too negatively towards her even if I didn't love her (which also made it tough for me to love the book overall). I also feel like there were gaps in the story that weren't fully explored e.g. absent parents, why Tess is the way she is, etc.
The author's note is a must-read and deserving all of the stars. Thank you for sharing your story and experiences, Tae.
Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Rating: really liked it
I was unsure about whether I'd enjoy a book written from the perspective of a bully, but I have to admit it was done well. This is definitely one of those books that will make a bigger impact if you're the target audience, as it should, but I still did enjoy it. It raises some important questions for middleschoolers without giving them all the answers on a silver platter, which I appreciated as it invites readers to think critically about who they are as people, what makes a good or a bad person, and who they want to be.
I do think this book would have been even better if we'd seen more of Jennifer though. I thought she was a really interesting, really loveable character, and I would have loved to get to know her better.
Rating: really liked it
Do you want to know my weakness?
Middle school.
Particularly, books about middle school, and especially girls in middle school. What an awful part of growing up. Sometimes looking back, 12 years old seems so young, so insignificant, so far back that any juvenile scheming and trash talking that took place probably shouldn’t still affect anyone who is no longer in middle school.
Books like this prove otherwise.
Recommended for those who like books that can capture the voice of someone young without downplaying the pain and cruelty of early adolescence.Make sure you stick around for the beautiful author’s note.
Rating: really liked it
Absolute perfection. I swear, middle grade often does so much better than adult.
Rating: really liked it
Powerful, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
Rating: really liked it
4.25 stars!This book made me so emotional, I did not expect to love it as much as I did!
Rating: really liked it
E ARC provided by Netgalley.com
The first thing we find out about Jennifer Chan is that she is missing, presumably because she has run away. Mallory and her friends are worried that an interaction they had with her might be the cause of her flight, and are concerned that they might get in trouble. We then go back to the start of it all: there is someone moving into Mallory's Southern Florida neighborhood, and her friends at school are all abuzz-- Jennifer Chan is coming from Chicago, and rumor has it that she killed someone. Or hurt someone, rumors vary. Mallory's mother, who is half Korean, is eager to meet the Chans, who are Chinese American, since there are few other Asians in their area. Mallory isn't thrilled to find out that Jennifer will be attending Gibbons Academy, where she has gone since she was younger, since she can tell that her friends Tess and Reagan will think the new girl is a little "weird". Jennifer is dealing not only with the move, but the death of her father, with whom she shared an interest in space. Specifically, Jennifer is intersted in space aliens, and thinks that if she finds the right frequency, she will be able to communicate with them. Even while Mallory knows that her friends won't understand, she is oddly draw to both Jennifer and her theories, and helps her investigate. This brings her back in contact with science club members Kath and Ingrid, whom Reagan definitely classifies as "weird". They are reluctant to talk to Mallory since she hangs out with the popular girls, but are also intrigued by Jennifer's ideas. When Jennifer draws the girls further into her alien speculations, she runs afoul of Reagan and the girls have a nasty interchange. Will Mallory be able to figure out where Jennifer is before any harm comes to her? And what's the right thing to do when your friends are being mean to someone else?
Strengths: This has plenty of friend drama, and has some similaries to Walker's Let's Pretend We Never Met; one of the hardest things about middle school is balancing being a kind person and fitting in with others. Students like Jennifer, who are quirky, different, and proud of it, are tough to befriend, because in middle school, "weird" definitely rubs off. This is a great, nuanced discussion of that fine line that needs to be walked, and is based on a pivotal experience from Keller's own tweendom. Mallory likes Jennifer, even though she knows her friends will not approve, and ultimately does the right thing, even though it is a struggle. This is very realistic, and not easy to find in today's middle grade literature. Bullying isn't as simple as it is sometimes portrayed, and this book addresses that very well. I especially appreciated that both girls' Asian American backgrounds come in to play, but are not the entire focus of the story.
Weaknesses: Jennifer's interests in space aliens went a bit beyond quirky, and as an adult, I worried that she needed some help in the wake of her father's death that she wasn't getting.
What I really think: This had a bit of the same feel as King's The Year We Fell From Space, with touches of Summy's The Disappearance of Emily H. It's a mystery, but the social interactions are at the forefront of the novel.
Rating: really liked it
This was a really strong beginning with some great momentum. At about the 2/3 mark, it started to get predictable and the ending felt kind of obvious. Even then, the characters had a lot of dimension and were interesting.
My original comments:
I read about 20 pages and would love to read more when I have the time. Keller rapidly develops several mysteries and an ensemble of compelling, flawed characters in just a few pages. This is a masterclass in how to hit the ground running.
Rating: really liked it
This story was less about Jennifer's disappearance, and more about the culture of bullying in schools, from an author who experienced bullying herself, and was trying to piece together what happened to her, and to try and finally understand why the bullies chose her.
Told from the perspective of one of the bullies, Mallory, we follow her as she tries to right the wrongs she did, while trying to find Jennifer. She begs old friends for help, and starts to uncover clues as to where Jennifer may be, using her journals.
Although the girls in this story were all around 13, I did have to keep reminding myself of that. The writing style made me feel like they were older, 15 or 16. I did wish Mallory was a more sympathetic character, as I couldn't bring myself to feel sorry for her after what she did to Jennifer.
I raced through the pages to find out what happened to Jennifer, and if there was really something to her alien sightings. This is a shorter book, with compelling characters, that all have their flaws. I liked that the author pulled from her own experiences, making the story feel more realistic and emotional.
Rating: really liked it
This book really did not end up being what I thought it'd be. It's a book about bullying, fitting in, and exerting power. I think in general I loved the point of it, I thought the characters were authentic, and think the author's note is commendable. But the book has a very slow/bland plot that made it hard for me to keep wanting to pick it up. Another thing I usually don't like in books is when you start the story with a piece of juicy information that is dangled but not revealed ("The Incident" in this book). This event is continually brought up but obviously never explained until the last 10% of the story. Inside I was screaming, "Tell me already!" Lastly, I do wish there had been more family represented in this book... that's something I loved so much about When You Trap a Tiger.
Rating: really liked it
Jennifer Chan moves into the neighbourhood during the holidays, and Mallory finds her quirky ideas refreshing, until, that is, once school starts back, her differences make her a target and popular Mallory doesn’t have the strength to maintain the friendship. When Jennifer goes missing, Mallory is forced to admit to herself and then others that she played a big part in bringing her down.
Lots of sciency astronomy detail included so a bit more to this than a basic bullying story. Nice insight from the author at the end too. Highly recommended for year 6-8. Could make a good class read aloud.
