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118th out of 1,106 books
—
1,240 voters
The Only Alien on the Planet
by
Kristen D. Randle (Goodreads Author)
New town, new school, new friends. It was difficult for Ginny at first, but her senior year is finally starting to feel kind of normal. That is, until she sees him--the beautiful mystery in her English class. He has never spoken a word to anyone. He moves through each day at school without making eye contact. His name is Smitty Tibbs, but everyone calls him the Alien.
Ginny...more
Ginny...more
Mass Market Paperback, 228 pages
Published
November 1st 1996
by Scholastic Inc.
(first published January 1st 1995)
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I saw this book in a pile of discarded school library books that had been donated to the library where I work. The title put me off for a moment, but the summary intrigued me, so I dropped a quarter in the donation jar and took it home. It utterly captured me.
At first Ginny was the attraction. It's good to find a main character with the hero's heart--trying to do right, even when it's hard, intensely loyal in her friendships and family relationships, and mostly unselfish while still wonderfull...more
Great book! I seriously read it in one sitting. (Which means it is a pretty quick read, too, because I am a slow reader.) I hate the title. I thought after reading the book I would like the title better; I don't. I would have never read it if my dearest friend hadn't recommend it.
It is the story of a senior girl that moves into a new town. She learns that she lives next to a boy that never talks, ever. Another friend and she decide to befriend him and find a way to break him out of his "shell."...more
It is the story of a senior girl that moves into a new town. She learns that she lives next to a boy that never talks, ever. Another friend and she decide to befriend him and find a way to break him out of his "shell."...more
I read this book ages ago and was just thinking that I needed to read it again. It is YA, but as you know I enjoy them just as much as adult ones!!
Ginny was happy and comfortable with her life. That is, until her parents uprooted the family and moved practically to a new planet. Now, her parents are never home, her best-friend brother has gone away to school, and she has to make friends starting from scratch. She’s miserable. Then she meets a boy- at least, it’s as close to “meeting” can be with...more
Ginny was happy and comfortable with her life. That is, until her parents uprooted the family and moved practically to a new planet. Now, her parents are never home, her best-friend brother has gone away to school, and she has to make friends starting from scratch. She’s miserable. Then she meets a boy- at least, it’s as close to “meeting” can be with...more
Ginny was happy and comfortable with her life. That is, until her parents uprooted the family and moved practically to a new planet. Now, her parents are never home, her best-friend brother has gone away to school, and she has to make friends starting from scratch. She’s miserable. Then she meets a boy- at least, it’s as close to “meeting” can be with a human being who doesn’t communicate or even look at anyone. Intrigued, Ginny and her new friend Caulder make an experiment of this so-called ali...more
I remember reading this book in a carrel at the library at school, although I'd bought the book, so I don't know why I would have been reading it at the library. What I remember more clearly is finishing the book but still feeling like I was in the book. I get sucked into books while I'm reading them, and sometimes I'll think a lot about them afterward, but I don't think any book has ever held me in its world for so long. (It wasn't days or anything, probably just half-an-hour.) I wasn't even re...more
This is my favorite book of all time and that is saying something. The writing, the story, the characters. This book is wonderfull. I can't say enough good. Don't let the title throw you. I have reread this book 5 times and have two copies so I can lend it out. It is good and clean and a great book for teens to read! I would make my students read this if I was a teacher. It would also be great for any book club and Kristen Randel is great about writing back. LOve This book.LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LO...more
Sometimes a book can take you completely by surprise. The Only Alien on the Planet is one such book. I bought this on a whim, thinking the description sounded intriguing (though the title did initially put me off a bit). I started reading and found I couldn't stop until I had finished the book. I then went back and read it through again, not something I do very often.
The Only Alien on the Planet is the story of Ginny, a high school senior whose parents have decided to uproot and move from the We...more
The Only Alien on the Planet is the story of Ginny, a high school senior whose parents have decided to uproot and move from the We...more
The character, Ginny is excited as she gets to know other students in her new school. She has recognized soon there is a boy named, Smitty, who is handsome and looks alien. Even though he does not talk, and he never makes eye contact with anyone, he already gets population. She becomes his friend with the other character, Caulder as they help him become other students. As long they help Smitty, they find out what problems he has. He has an accident, which makes him do not talk, and he is abused...more
“Never make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only alien on the planet.” That’s what her closest brother Paul told Ginny before he left for college. That was before Ginny’s parents decided to start a new business and Ginny moved to a new town with her family. Living without Paul, and entering a new high school, were giant changes to her life balance. Ginny is a well-adjusted high schooler from Planet Earth, but all this change makes her feel like an alien to herself. She’s nervous about s...more
"The Only Alien in the Planet," by Kristen D. Randle is about a boy named Smitty who is even better known as the alien of his school. He sticks out in the crowd, and no one wants to get to know him. The only two people interested in getting to know him is his neighbor Caulder, and a new girl Ginny. Ginny, just moved into town and is just getting to learn her way around the school. They not only get to know him, but they soon find out more about Smitty, than anyone could even imagine. He's not th...more
Apr 03, 2012
Eve
added it
The Only Alien on the Planet, by Kristen D. Randle, is about a girl named Ginny who moves to a new town in her senior year of high school. At her old school, Ginny was popular enough, but here she just can’t seem to fall into place. She eventually becomes good friends with her neighbor, Caulder, who has a heightened interest in a boy who lives next door to him. This boy, Smitty, is in some of Ginny’s classes, and she takes a mild note of him, that is until Caulder tells her his story. Smitty has...more
Very, interesting book. It has a very unique plot line. Ginny is a senior in a high school when she moves out East from her comfortable life in the West. Her Brother has recently left for college and now it's her and her two younger brothers. Ginny quickly makes two friends and proceeds to play matchmaker between them. Ginny notices a very quite boy, in fact so quite that no one has ever heard him say a word since he was two, but he is extremely intelligent. Caulder, her friend, fuels Ginny's i...more
This book is about a girl names Ginny who moves from the West coast to the East coast. She soon makes friends with a guy named Caulder who lives next door. She notices a tragically beautifully boy in her class who lives next to Caulder whom people call Smitty. He never speaks. He hasn't for many years. He does however help Ginny with her math homework by writing out the steps, and she realizes he has gotten very good at non-verbal communication. Throughout the book you learn Smitty feel into a p...more
Ginny’s senior yeah has just become a little more interesting. She just moved to a new town, starting a new school, and has to make new friends; although it was difficult at first, Ginny starts to warm up to the change. Then she sees him, the beautiful mysterious man in her English class, Smitty Tibbs. He doesn’t speak, not a word to anyone. He moves through each day at school without making eye contact with his peers, everyone calls him the Alien. Ginny is convinced there's more to the Alien th...more
Summary: Ginny has moved to a new school and made two instant friends. But when one of her friends tries to bring another, much less normal, person into the mix she begins to have her doubts. To say that this person is a tad abnormal would be an understatement. Smitty does not speak a word even when spoken too, he doesn't like to be touched and as far as anyone knows, she is brain dead. Ginny's friend Caulder has decided that he will get Smitty to talk no matter the consequences. Caulder did not...more
The Only Alien on the planet is a book that follows Ginny through her senior year of high school and all of the friends she makes there and the trials she has. In her new school, she sees a totally drop-dead gorgeous guy from whom everyone warns her away. They call him 'the alien' and he's never spoken to anyone; hardly looks anyone in the eye. Ginny befriends the one boy who considers himself somewhat Smitty Tibbs(the alien) friend, and crazy things start to happen when the two of them decide t...more
Ginny just moved during her senior year of high school. After feeling out of place for a while she manages to make some friends. One such friendship may be considered slightly odd considering he doesn't speak. Smitty Tibbs is his name and he refuses to speak period. Unfortunately for him Ginny finds him beautiful and mesmerizing. With the help of her new neighbor and friend Caulder, they try to break Smitty out of his box. As she becomes closer and closer to Smitty he starts acting weird. Even w...more
I love it when I am reading a seemingly "regular" story and come across treasures in the form of quotes! This happened twice in this book.
"The body is very obedient. What the mind believes, the body will often make reality. People who are sick, if they believe they're going to die, often do - on the other hand, if they believe they'll live, that can change conditions in their bodies dramatically."
I believe this. I think our minds, thoughts and emotions have a powerful impact on our physical heal...more
"The body is very obedient. What the mind believes, the body will often make reality. People who are sick, if they believe they're going to die, often do - on the other hand, if they believe they'll live, that can change conditions in their bodies dramatically."
I believe this. I think our minds, thoughts and emotions have a powerful impact on our physical heal...more
I might go back and re-rate this book because I've only just finished reading it and haven't had time to process everything. I was a little turned off from the title and the cover (although after reading it, the title is really fitting). However, I read a blog that recommended it. I looked it up on Amazon and saw that it had a lot of good reviews. I ended up buying the book without ever reading what it was about. I'm very glad that I did that because this is the sort of book where you truly need...more
When Ginny moves from the west coast to the east coast, she knows things will be different - but she never anticipates meeting Smitty Tibbs. Smitty, the good-looking boy in her classes that is just...not right. Autism? Maybe. His lack of emotional responses have prompted his classmates to call him "The Alien." But maybe not - Ginny's new friend Caulder doesn't think so, he thinks Smitty is in there somewhere. And eventually, Ginny decides that Smitty is worth trying to find, but the journey is n...more
This is a wonderful book and one of my favorites. I read it while I was a teenager and kept on signing it out from the library. In the end, I had to get my own copy because it is a book that I revisit every year or two.
The story follows Ginny, whose family has been uprooted to a new place where she has to make new friends and fit in. She befriends her next door neighbour, Caulder, and becomes drawn into the mystery surrounding Caulder's friend - Smitty. Smitty does not smile, does not speak, do...more
The story follows Ginny, whose family has been uprooted to a new place where she has to make new friends and fit in. She befriends her next door neighbour, Caulder, and becomes drawn into the mystery surrounding Caulder's friend - Smitty. Smitty does not smile, does not speak, do...more
The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle, is a fascinating book. It is about a young girl named Ginny, who has just moved to a new home and school, and is starting her senior year in high school. Her year starts off to be a little difficult, but it eventually starts to feel normal until she sees him, Smitty Tibbs, in her English class. He has never spoken a word to anyone, does not touch anyone or make eye contact with anyone. Everyone at school calls Smitty Tibbs "The Alien." As she tr...more
Jun 07, 2010
Chris
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Chris by:
Maren Fischer
Shelves:
young-adult
A good book that is probably perfect for its intended audience: idealistic teens trying to make a difference in the world. The book is actually less didactic than I expected, and the elements that felt contrived (let's get rid of the parents for 2 months so Ginny can't talk to them about things) were in the setup at the beginning, and the actual playout of the story was good. I was pleasantly surprised with the epilogue, and still haven't decided how far in the future "since then" refers to.
For...more
For...more
The Only Alien On The Planet was a well written, thought-provoking masterpiece. Lately, I've been complaining that a lot of YA books lack the wow factor. Well, I finally found one! The beginning was a little slow due to the character development, but I did enjoy it. I definitely got to know the characters on a personal level. After a few chapters, the book became very addictive. I simply couldn't put it down, it was attached to my hand until I finished it. At first, Smitty's character was very m...more
I enjoyed reading the book overall. It is definitely a nice read, the story is interesting, there is a lesson in there, and a bit of a shocker. The reason for my taking off a star is because of the characters. Although they all fit nicely into the story, at least to me, they were not believable.
Paul is only a year older than Ginny, but he sounds like some sort of a wise guru, full of wisdom and keen insight (that's the preaching part, I suppose.)
Both of Ginny's younger brothers are supposed to...more
Paul is only a year older than Ginny, but he sounds like some sort of a wise guru, full of wisdom and keen insight (that's the preaching part, I suppose.)
Both of Ginny's younger brothers are supposed to...more
Ginny has just moved to a new school for her senior year of high school and is immediately mesmerized by a strange boy named Smitty Tibbs. He is beautiful and intelligent but there is one problem... He hasn't spoken a word since he was 2 years old and nearly drowned in the pool. She becomes best friends with a boy named Caulder who shares her fascination with Smitty and together they try to discover ways to get him to convey his emotions. But before they realize it, they uncover a world of pain...more
Feb 15, 2010
Claudia
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all my students
Recommended to Claudia by:
Stephanie Aitken
Wow! What a moving, deep book. And WHY have I never heard of it? Ginny's senior year has been destroyed by her parents who move her thousands of miles away from her home and then plop her in a new school. Her first day of class introduces her to people who will become extremely important: Hally and Smitty. Smitty is called the Alien, a brilliant, uninvolved, silent kid who seems to float through life, literally not saying a word since his near-drowning accident when he was two. Ginny becomes int...more
This is quite possibly my all-time favorite YA novel. How much do I love this book?
I love this book so much that this is my first review.
I love this book so much that now, every time I read a YA novel - romance or otherwise - I automatically ask myself "well yes, but was it as good as Smitty and Ginny?"
I love this book so much that I kept reading it even after I'd discovered that it had nothing to do with actual space aliens (which was the only reason I'd picked it up at all).
I love this book so...more
I love this book so much that this is my first review.
I love this book so much that now, every time I read a YA novel - romance or otherwise - I automatically ask myself "well yes, but was it as good as Smitty and Ginny?"
I love this book so much that I kept reading it even after I'd discovered that it had nothing to do with actual space aliens (which was the only reason I'd picked it up at all).
I love this book so...more
Really enjoyed this book! Good, fast read.
pg.156
"My brother, Paul, used to say that each person defines reality in his own way. Then the human assumptionm is that anybody who doesn't see things the way he does, or who doesn't do things the way he does is, by definition, irrational. Which is a crazy way of thinkinig in the first place. So, in other words, every living person is a little nuts.
"So, every person sets up his own rules, and then uses them to judge everybody else. You just have to rea...more
This is a story about a girl named Ginny who moves to a new city. Her parents are busy getting there business going so she doesn’t have much supervision. While meeting new kids at school she comes across a strange boy, Schmitty, that doesn’t talk at all. People call him “the Alien.” He never responds or acknowledges others. Ginny and her new friend Caulder decide they want to include him and attempt to help him. They find more and more out about him as they interact and realize that he has the...more
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| What's The Name o...: Yellow cover: Something similiar to Invisible Alien [s] | 4 | 33 | Oct 18, 2011 11:08am |
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“Listen very hard and follow your heart. Your heart is good. It's your brain that gets you into trouble.”
—
19 people liked it
“I'm convinced that each human being more or less builds his own reality. You are what you believe you are. We make images in our minds of what will be---based on what we believe or want, what we're afraid of---”
—
14 people liked it
More quotes…
Sep 27, 2008 04:17pm