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Aliens as a Metaphor
Little Green Man follows a seventeen-year-old girl living in a small town who, with the help of the new boy at school, tries to find out if there are aliens living in their town. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
While I’ve written about aliens before, I wanted to write something that shined a different light on the concept. I incorporated the high school experience to create a young adult book that readers could find both exciting and relatable. I played around a lot with the dynamic of Birdie and Sol early on, as well as the rest of the characters present in the story. Overall, my primary inspiration for writing a book so centered around high school was the fact that, at the time of writing this book, I was about a month from starting high school. While I was sixteen when the novel was published, I was fourteen when I wrote it!
I enjoyed the character of Birdie. Is there anything about Birdie that came from yourself or your life experiences?
Birdie was, in many ways, a manifestation of myself at the time. Although she was several years older than I was at the time of writing this book, there are a lot of things about her that were derived from myself: Her awkwardness when it comes to talking to boys, her tendency to obsess over what fascinates her, and even her love for beautiful views – just to name a few.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was essential to, inevitably, explore aliens – not only as little green men but also as creatures that may be very similar to humans. I strived to capture experiences that would be relatable to the audience of the book, using the concept of aliens as a metaphor for being left out and excluded from society.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
A sequel (and perhaps more) is in the works for Little Green Man. While I cannot say much about where the story goes, I explore the alien species that the first book focuses on, as well as the relationship between Earth and this species. Birdie and Sol are also reunited – for better or for worse.
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“I’m not going to parties or practicing underage drinking. I’m not sneaking out to see my secret boyfriend. I’m literally searching for aliens.”
Meet seventeen-year-old Birdie Buckley. She’s an alien enthusiast from a small town in Colorado called Mount Pifork, a miserable place where everyone knows everyone, anything that deviates from the norm is looked down upon and, to top it off, there may or may not be aliens lurking. At least, that’s what Birdie thinks.
Ever since she was young, she has been searching for proof that humans are not alone in the universe—and so far, that research has not taken her very far. Until, one night she captures her boldest piece of evidence yet. This sends her on a spiraling journey that opens up a million harrowing questions, because she may not be the only one aware of the anomaly.
Joining forces with Sol, the mysterious new boy at her high school and the one person who shares her interests, Birdie looks deeper into bizarre occurrences, her community’s hidden history, and even a strange observatory on the outskirts of town that she swears was never there before. The more she investigates, the more her findings begin to make sense and the more the truth becomes clear—and that truth may be her dream come true, or her biggest fall from grace.
Perfect for fans of E.T. and the X-Files, Little Green Man takes readers on an eccentric investigation that challenges the definition of alien and explores the overshadowed side of the high school experience.
Little Green Man
In Little Green Man, author Shanti Hershensen transports readers to the small, conventional town of Mount Pifork, Colorado, where seventeen-year-old Birdie Buckley feels stifled by the town’s rigid norms. Birdie craves adventure, but in a place where individuality is unwelcome, finding it seems impossible. Yet, her curiosity is piqued when she begins to suspect something strange—perhaps even extraterrestrial—lurking in her town. With the help of Sol, the intriguing new arrival at her high school, Birdie embarks on a quest to uncover the mysteries surrounding a recently appeared observatory on the town’s outskirts. What they discover changes everything, leaving Birdie questioning whether normalcy might be preferable after all.
Drawing comparisons to the eerie intrigue of shows like The X-Files, Hershensen crafts a teen-centered narrative that explores the timeless theme of searching for one’s place in the world. Though the idea of seeking proof of alien life isn’t new, the novel taps into this well-worn concept with a fresh twist, intertwining it with the relatable struggles of adolescence. Birdie’s journey is driven not just by her search for extraterrestrial life, but by her deeper, more personal quest to belong. In her high school, she feels torn between wanting to fit in with her peers and resenting them for their dull conformity. This internal conflict fuels her determination to uncover something extraordinary. Perhaps, if she doesn’t belong on Earth, her destiny lies among beings as alien as she sometimes feels herself to be. Grounding the story is Birdie’s evolving relationship with Sol. Their bond provides a heartwarming reminder that connection can be found in the most unexpected places. As Birdie searches for the unusual and mysterious, her life becomes increasingly complex, even without the discovery of any actual “little green men.” The turbulence of adolescence, with its inherent challenges, mirrors the very strangeness she longs for. Yet, Birdie remains blind to the fact that growing up is an adventure all on its own, full of twists and uncertainties she never anticipated.
Little Green Man offers a clever and engaging literary escape driven by a spirited protagonist and a plot full of surprises. Hershensen’s story is not just about extraterrestrial mysteries but about the equally baffling journey of self-discovery in the midst of teenage life. With its suspenseful twists and thoughtful exploration of identity, this book will keep readers hooked and thinking long after the final page.
Pages: 436 | ASIN : B0CRTKLFGK
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