Allie's Adventure on the Wonder (2025)
Fourteen-year-old Allie Little lives in a perpetual Wonderland--with all the confusion and none of the wonder. Diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), she is continually forced into rabbit holes of misunderstanding and anxiety. Whatever she reads, sees, or hears often turns into nonsense, and the time to be “curiouser and curiouser” about her surroundings is a luxury she can't afford from the impatient people around her.
But one day, during a field trip on a ferry named the Wonder, Allie meets an odd character named Charlie and sees the creative genius and unadulterated joy that madness can bring.
A semi-autobiography of the author's personal experiences growing up with APD, reimagined through the lens of Lewis Carroll's timeless nonsensical classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, here is a contemporary fairy tale about learning--and accepting--the methods in once's madness to navigate the real world.
REVIEWS
"Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder by Erika Lynn Adams is a heartfelt and imaginative YA novel that blends whimsical fantasy with the real challenges of living with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Told from the perspective of Allie, a sensitive and introspective teenage girl, the story offers readers a poignant glimpse into navigating school, social situations, and internal doubts when her brain struggles to process spoken language as others expect. [. . .]
Despite these obstacles, Allie is earnest, funny, and resilient. Erika Lynn Adams excels in portraying how APD can affect self-esteem, academic performance, and relationships, while never reducing Allie to her diagnosis. Her artistic talent, love for fairytales, and vivid imagination shine through. The story is beautifully layered, alternating between internal dialogue, rich metaphor, and everyday challenges. The writing is lyrical, with well-crafted scenes illuminating Allie’s frustrations and triumphs. Young readers, especially those with learning differences, will likely find solace and recognition in Allie’s voice, while others will gain empathy and insight. Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder is a tale of self-discovery, acceptance, and the quiet courage it takes to find one’s voice in a noisy world."
- Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite
"I knew little about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) before picking up this book. But through its pages, I didn’t just learn about APD, I experienced it. Erika Lynn Adams’s compelling storytelling and well-crafted plot immersed me in Allie’s world, where everyday sounds become a labyrinth of confusion. What struck me most wasn’t just Allie’s challenges with APD itself, but how much of her pain stemmed from a society unwilling to pause and understand. Each character serves as a mirror, reflecting where we fall short and how we might do better. One of the most enchanting elements is how Allie’s dreamworld reimagines Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. For readers who love stories that enlighten as they intrigue, with a touch of poetry and theater, Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder is a must-read. It’s a testament to how empathy isn’t just kindness—it’s a necessity."
- Ankita Shukla, Readers' Favorite
"Erika Lynn Adams' book, Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder, is part memoir, exploring the complicated world of living with a disorder that few people understand. This is the author’s story as well as Allie’s. The narrative is told in the first person, from Allie’s point of view. The characters are well developed and believable, and dialogue is used effectively to help move the story forward. The descriptive narrative is thorough, especially as the author explains Allie’s condition. There is considerable information on APD at the beginning and end of the book, as well as resources, and the author makes an interesting comparison between her work and Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland series. But this isn’t just a story about a girl with APD; it’s a story based on the themes of learning and acceptance, and being able to navigate a difficult world where impatience rules. A poignantly beautiful tale."
- Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers' Favorite
"Erika Lynn Adams's writing is utterly captivating and atmospheric. She offers a unique, remarkable, and thoughtful portrayal of Auditory Processing Disorder based on her experiences growing up with the condition. Allie's Adventure on the Wonder gives readers great insight into the journey and signs and symptoms of this often misunderstood or misdiagnosed disorder. It illustrates the struggles of those affected, from constantly overthinking to doubting and questioning themselves and their mental capacity. I highly recommend this important book about a young girl continually forced down a rabbit hole of anxiety, contradiction, nonsense, and misunderstanding. It skillfully captures the embarrassing, frustrating, or devastating misunderstandings that may occur due to this disorder."
- Emma Megan, Readers' Favorite
"The writing in Allie's Adventure on the Wonder immerses a reader in Allie's world. The book beautifully explores themes of resilience, self-doubt, identity, bullying, social challenges, support systems, relationships, empathy, personal growth, and transformation. Erika Lynn Adams highlights the world’s imperfections and shows that being true to oneself, free from the fear of judgment, is where the real magic lies. The author's critique of educators who belittle students' potential is a powerful reminder that we must always uplift and support one another. The book has an important lesson for parents and guardians, emphasizing the vital role of open communication and strong support systems. I appreciate the depictions of therapy sessions for individuals with such disorders. The attention to detail, imagery, and creativity inspire and captivate. I wholeheartedly recommend Allie's Adventure on the Wonder to everyone with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and to all who appreciate well-written books."
- Adanna Ora, Readers' Favorite
But one day, during a field trip on a ferry named the Wonder, Allie meets an odd character named Charlie and sees the creative genius and unadulterated joy that madness can bring.
A semi-autobiography of the author's personal experiences growing up with APD, reimagined through the lens of Lewis Carroll's timeless nonsensical classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, here is a contemporary fairy tale about learning--and accepting--the methods in once's madness to navigate the real world.
REVIEWS
"Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder by Erika Lynn Adams is a heartfelt and imaginative YA novel that blends whimsical fantasy with the real challenges of living with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Told from the perspective of Allie, a sensitive and introspective teenage girl, the story offers readers a poignant glimpse into navigating school, social situations, and internal doubts when her brain struggles to process spoken language as others expect. [. . .]
Despite these obstacles, Allie is earnest, funny, and resilient. Erika Lynn Adams excels in portraying how APD can affect self-esteem, academic performance, and relationships, while never reducing Allie to her diagnosis. Her artistic talent, love for fairytales, and vivid imagination shine through. The story is beautifully layered, alternating between internal dialogue, rich metaphor, and everyday challenges. The writing is lyrical, with well-crafted scenes illuminating Allie’s frustrations and triumphs. Young readers, especially those with learning differences, will likely find solace and recognition in Allie’s voice, while others will gain empathy and insight. Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder is a tale of self-discovery, acceptance, and the quiet courage it takes to find one’s voice in a noisy world."
- Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite
"I knew little about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) before picking up this book. But through its pages, I didn’t just learn about APD, I experienced it. Erika Lynn Adams’s compelling storytelling and well-crafted plot immersed me in Allie’s world, where everyday sounds become a labyrinth of confusion. What struck me most wasn’t just Allie’s challenges with APD itself, but how much of her pain stemmed from a society unwilling to pause and understand. Each character serves as a mirror, reflecting where we fall short and how we might do better. One of the most enchanting elements is how Allie’s dreamworld reimagines Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. For readers who love stories that enlighten as they intrigue, with a touch of poetry and theater, Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder is a must-read. It’s a testament to how empathy isn’t just kindness—it’s a necessity."
- Ankita Shukla, Readers' Favorite
"Erika Lynn Adams' book, Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder, is part memoir, exploring the complicated world of living with a disorder that few people understand. This is the author’s story as well as Allie’s. The narrative is told in the first person, from Allie’s point of view. The characters are well developed and believable, and dialogue is used effectively to help move the story forward. The descriptive narrative is thorough, especially as the author explains Allie’s condition. There is considerable information on APD at the beginning and end of the book, as well as resources, and the author makes an interesting comparison between her work and Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland series. But this isn’t just a story about a girl with APD; it’s a story based on the themes of learning and acceptance, and being able to navigate a difficult world where impatience rules. A poignantly beautiful tale."
- Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers' Favorite
"Erika Lynn Adams's writing is utterly captivating and atmospheric. She offers a unique, remarkable, and thoughtful portrayal of Auditory Processing Disorder based on her experiences growing up with the condition. Allie's Adventure on the Wonder gives readers great insight into the journey and signs and symptoms of this often misunderstood or misdiagnosed disorder. It illustrates the struggles of those affected, from constantly overthinking to doubting and questioning themselves and their mental capacity. I highly recommend this important book about a young girl continually forced down a rabbit hole of anxiety, contradiction, nonsense, and misunderstanding. It skillfully captures the embarrassing, frustrating, or devastating misunderstandings that may occur due to this disorder."
- Emma Megan, Readers' Favorite
"The writing in Allie's Adventure on the Wonder immerses a reader in Allie's world. The book beautifully explores themes of resilience, self-doubt, identity, bullying, social challenges, support systems, relationships, empathy, personal growth, and transformation. Erika Lynn Adams highlights the world’s imperfections and shows that being true to oneself, free from the fear of judgment, is where the real magic lies. The author's critique of educators who belittle students' potential is a powerful reminder that we must always uplift and support one another. The book has an important lesson for parents and guardians, emphasizing the vital role of open communication and strong support systems. I appreciate the depictions of therapy sessions for individuals with such disorders. The attention to detail, imagery, and creativity inspire and captivate. I wholeheartedly recommend Allie's Adventure on the Wonder to everyone with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and to all who appreciate well-written books."
- Adanna Ora, Readers' Favorite
Read the original short story/college project that inspired the novel!
Check your local bookstore and library!
Available here in Duluth, MN:
Duluth Studio Market
512 N 45th Ave E
Also available at Itascabooks.com and Amazon.com.