Characters
This character’s biggest fear is not being liked by others.
Mallory
The novel uses two timelines to slowly reveal this.
what happened before Jennifer disappeared
Jennifer’s interest in these represents her desire to search for something beyond what she sees around her.
aliens/outer space
The novel warns readers about the danger of judging people before doing this.
getting to know them
If Jennifer had been accepted from the beginning, this major event may not have happened.
Her disappearance
This character’s unusual interests cause others to misunderstand her.
Jenifer Chan
The mystery surrounding Jennifer’s disappearance makes people focus on this explanation.
aliens/alien abduction
The alien mystery acts as this type of literary device because it distracts readers from the real problem.
Jennifer feeling alone
Mallory learns that being a good person requires more than avoiding this.
Being mean
Mallory and Jennifer are similar because both want this, even though they handle it differently.
Belonging
Mallory’s relationship with this group influences many of her choices throughout the story.
Reagan and Tess
The true conflict of the story is revealed to be more about this than a mystery.
belonging and how people treat others?
Jennifer’s alien theories reveal this quality about her character.
Curiosity
This theme is shown when characters struggle between popularity and doing what is right.
courage
Does the novel asks readers to question whether being a bystander makes someone responsible.
Yes
This character represents someone who is confident being different, while Mallory represents someone trying to blend in.
Jenifer Chan
Why is it important that readers know Mallory’s perspective instead of only Jennifer’s?
because Mallory must confront her own choices and guilt
Mallory’s memories reveal that the past is not always this.
simple as people remember it
The book suggests that people who seem “different” may actually be searching for this.
acceptance/belonging
The biggest difference between Mallory at the beginning and end is that she moves from wanting approval to seeking this.
Doing what is right
Mallory’s biggest mistake is not what she says—it is what she fails to do.
Standing up for Jenifer
The story would be very different if Mallory had made this decision earlier.
standing up for Jennifer
The title suggests that Jennifer is not truly alone because she has this connection with others.
the people who eventually understand and support her
The biggest lesson Mallory learns is that silence can have this effect.
allowing harm to continue
The title Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone connects to the novel’s message because Jennifer’s greatest need was not aliens—it was this.
Connection/friendship