Review: First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci

Title: First Day on Earth
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Pages: 160
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama
Release: November 1st, 2011
Buy the Book at: Book Depository / Chapters.Indigo / Barnes & Noble / Amazon

A startling, wonderful novel about the true meaning of being an alien in an equally alien world.

"We are specks. Pieces of dust in this universe. Big nothings.

"I know what I am."

Mal lives on the fringes of high school. Angry. Misunderstood. Yet loving the world -- or, at least, an idea of the world.

Then he meets Hooper. Who says he's from another planet. And may be going home very soon.

My Thoughts

Canadian Author ❤

Contrary to what I usually read, Cecil Castellucci's First Day on Earth was a very particular book to read and, at the same time, absolutely gratifying. With a quick narrative and only 160 pages, Castellucci manages to put a great amount of content that is illustrated in Mel, a teenage boy who, at the age of 12, was abducted by Aliens.

Mel struggles with many problems during this book. It is not only the fact that he was abducted, or so he thinks since he is not even 100% sure of it himself, but many of his problems also comes from his father's abandonment and his alcoholic mother. Mel is a boy who feels absolutely alone. He keeps his abduction in secret and turns into a loner with no one to get comfort from. 
I think the sens of belonging was really important in this book and how, just by having it, someone can overcome issues that were impossible to overcome before. Mel is a boy who struggles with teenage and family issues at the same time he struggles with his abduction. But what Mel really want is to be abducted again, leave this Earth, and be light-years away from what is hurting him. Mel, who besides feeling alone, feels alien himself on his own place.

Mel also starts going to an Alien Abduction Support group where he, for the first time, starts telling what happened to him when he was twelve years-old and. In this place he also meets Hooper, a mysterious guy Mel starts, finally, to find friendship. Posey and Darwyn were other key characters that completed the story. The were lovable and special in their own way. I think without them, the end of the story might have been different and the message would not have been the same.

I like the way Castellucci's writing is quick and direct to the point. This, kept me focused in the Mel's issues all the time as well as trying to figure out how Castellucci would give a bright end to a book I was finding so dark. This was, in fact, a short intense read but with a very gratifying resolution and message.

Castellucci's novel was an interesting and rich twist from what I usually find on the shelves and I am really glad I read it. First Day on Earth is a life lesson in a in a short episode of a teenage boy that will nourish readers with great values and and striking experiences.

❧ Thank you so much to Scholastic Canada for providing me this book!❧

Visit Cecil Castellucci's website at http://castellucci.wordpress.com/