Jennifer Chan is Not Alone by Tae Keller
Narrated by Shannon Tyo, Carolyn Kang and Tae Keller
Listening Library
Publication Date: April 26, 2022
ISBN: 9780593559994
Thanks to her popular best friend Reagan, Mallory Moss knows the key to surviving middle school: fit in and keep your head down. When new student Jennifer Chan moves in across the street from Mallory, it becomes clear that the openly trusting, alien-obsessed new kid is never going to make it at school. Then Jennifer goes missing. Did she run away like all the adults are saying? Or did something happen to her? The closer Mallory gets to finding Jennifer, the more she has to face why Jennifer may have disappeared.
Keller’s book is an honest look at bullying and how we become our true selves. Tyo and Kang bring a solid narration performance without seeming to talk down to the listener. An author’s note read by Keller brings an unflinching perspective on her own experiences with bullying and navigating the healing process.
This is a good read for younger listeners who have enjoyed other realistic fiction titles such as Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly, and Restart by Gordon Korman.
-Natalie LaRocque
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.