Mary Louise Schmidt is an adventurous nine year old child stuck in an unfortunate situation. Having lost her father to illness years earlier, Mary has become a protective older sister to her four year old brother George. Their mother, maybe having succumbed to grief of maybe just a terrible human, has basically given up on the role of an attentive mother. Her second husband is physically and verbally abusive to the whole family. So it comes as no surprise when Mary leaves home. Camping in the forest is a welcome reprieve from abuse and neglect. While roughing it, Mary makes the discovery of a lifetime—a crashed alien ship! When Mary comes to the aid of an alien survivor, an unlikely friendship develops that changes Mary forever.

Mary & the Alien is a melancholy story that provides a measure of hope to kids who find themselves the victims of abuse or bullying. The story takes place decades ago, but the problems little Mary is confronted with are just as pertinent today. Throughout the narrative, Ashley Good does an amazing job capturing the innocence and intuition of youth. The heartfelt dialogue between George and Mary is as heartwarming as the string of abuse from the stepfather and school bullies is distressing. There are moments of gravity, like eviscerating an enemy with an alien ray gun, balanced out with moments of tenderness, like the concern from a kind-hearted teacher. The story has a dark vibe, but ultimately ends beautifully. If you’ve ever struggled to find a place in your own life, let Mary & the Alien be your escape!