
Reach for this book when your child is struggling to understand social filters or the 'unwritten rules' of making friends. It is a perfect choice for the young reader who feels like an outsider or who often says exactly what they are thinking without realizing it might hurt someone's feelings. The story follows a shape-shifting alien named Lulu who arrives on a Vermont farm and must learn how to be human with the help of two local children. While the premise is fantastical and full of humor, the heart of the story is a deeply relatable exploration of empathy and social nuances. Through Lulu's blunders, children can safely observe and discuss the impact of rudeness and the value of kindness. It is an accessible, lighthearted read for ages 8 to 12 that turns the awkwardness of 'being different' into a source of wonder and growth.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe children must lie to their parents and neighbors to protect their friend.
The book handles identity and social belonging metaphorically through the alien lens. There is a sense of loneliness regarding Lulu's displacement, but the approach is secular and ultimately hopeful.
An 8-to-10-year-old who is frequently told they are 'too blunt' or a child with neurodivergent traits who finds social expectations confusing and needs a humorous way to process them.
This book is safe to read cold. Parents may want to highlight scenes where Lulu’s honesty causes pain to others to facilitate a discussion on the difference between truth and kindness. A parent might reach for this after their child has had a social falling out at school or after a particularly embarrassing moment where the child lacked a 'filter' in public.
Younger readers will find Lulu's shape-shifting and social gaffes hilarious. Older readers will pick up on the more sophisticated themes of what it actually means to be 'human' and the complexity of social contracts.
Unlike many alien stories that focus on government chases, this is a quiet, character-driven farm story that uses science fiction to mirror the very real experience of childhood social anxiety and the learning curve of empathy.
Lulu is an extraterrestrial who lands on a Vermont farm and takes the form of a young girl. Having no concept of human social norms, she is blunt, demanding, and frequently 'rude' by Earth standards. Two siblings, Molly and Ivan, discover her secret and take on the task of socializing her. As they hide her identity from their parents and the community, they must teach her why humans use filters and how to form genuine emotional bonds.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.