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Ally's World #4
Friends, Freak-outs and Very Secret Secrets
So there I was, thinking that the last week of school would be mega-fun. OK, well, more fun than usual. Could I have been more wrong? Urm, no. I mean, next-door's barbecue degenerates into a sausage fight, I nearly have to call the RSPCA on Kyra, the Fun Run is more of a No-fun Limp and, oh yes, how could I forget that disastrous game of Spin the Bottle?
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 3, 2025
hell yeah another banger
July 5, 2022
I tentokrát dostáváme pěknou jízdu ze života Alice. Tentokrát poznáváme trochu víc Aliciny kamarádky, což mi přijde super, že autorka dává prostor i jiným postavám, které v Alicině životě hrají velkou roli. Autorka tu reflektuje rodinné zázemí a téma přátelství - aspoň mi to tady přijde silnější než v předchozích dílech.
A přitom to je pořád dost svižně napsané a s humornými hláškami a situacemi. Přesto se tu dokázaly vměstnat i vážnější věci - přitom tak, aby nebyly psané na sílu a ždímaly z čtenářek emoce, ale zároveň zůstaly srozumitelné a zobrazené citlivě. Karen McCombie tohle prostě umí. A já se opět bavila.
Chápu, proč by to někdo mohl hodnotit nižším počtem hvězd. Není to samozřejmě žádná převratná literatura, která by čtenářům měla životy nebo tak něco. Já v tom hodnocení odráží nejen to, že mne tahle série na čtení prostě baví, ale také to, jak moc ráda vzpomínám na ty chvíle, když jsem s touhle sérii trávila svůj čas poprvé. Tak nostalgie tu má holt pro mne své místo, no...
A přitom to je pořád dost svižně napsané a s humornými hláškami a situacemi. Přesto se tu dokázaly vměstnat i vážnější věci - přitom tak, aby nebyly psané na sílu a ždímaly z čtenářek emoce, ale zároveň zůstaly srozumitelné a zobrazené citlivě. Karen McCombie tohle prostě umí. A já se opět bavila.
Chápu, proč by to někdo mohl hodnotit nižším počtem hvězd. Není to samozřejmě žádná převratná literatura, která by čtenářům měla životy nebo tak něco. Já v tom hodnocení odráží nejen to, že mne tahle série na čtení prostě baví, ale také to, jak moc ráda vzpomínám na ty chvíle, když jsem s touhle sérii trávila svůj čas poprvé. Tak nostalgie tu má holt pro mne své místo, no...
August 16, 2021
I just remembered this out of nowhere. I read it like 4 years ago. I was 10.
I really liked it at the time and from what I remember about it, it was good.
Maybe I'll re-read it sometime just for the nostalgia.
I really liked it at the time and from what I remember about it, it was good.
Maybe I'll re-read it sometime just for the nostalgia.
January 21, 2014
*SERIES REVIEW*
I have finally finished the series. All fourteen books, in a space of ten days. I read the first four books in the series when I was ten or eleven, and I adored them. This January, I really felt like revisiting them, as well as continuing with the rest of the books in the series that were still in the garage. I was scared that I wouldn't like them anymore in case I felt that they were too young for me...but I think I loved them even more this time round. IT WAS JUST...SO... PERFECT! *sobs* And I am now officially emotionally attached to this series.
The whole Ally's World series centers around thirteen year old Ally who lives in Crouch End in London, in her ramshackle house with her quirky family. Throughout the series we are introduced to her sweet, but dippy dad; her seventeen year old sister Linn, who is neat freak and is quite grouchy with the fact that she has to live in such a chaotic house; Rowan, who is fifteen years old and is away with the fairies, her room is completely overtaken by fairy-lights and her own misshapen art projects; last but not least is her seven year old brother Tor, who is an animal fanatic, with a bedroom that doubles as the equivalent of London zoo. The only person missing in this equation is there mom who left them four years ago, battling bad post-natal depression after having Tor, to go travel the world that she has always wanted to see.
I absolutely ADORE Ally's family. They are all so loveable and quirky and I just adore them! Linn is the super-sensible, neat-freak and the oldest one out of the siblings. She also thinks that she has actually been adopted and belongs to a royal family somewhere out there. I felt sorry for Linn, at times I wished she wouldn't be so grouchy, but I could understand the frustration that she felt. I completely adored Rowan, she was utterly adorable and so sweet! I loved how she wasn't afraid to be different and dress quirkily, as it really just made her such a fantastic character that was strong in her own way. Tor was utterly adorable, he is such a cute character, and I loved reading about all his endless pets. I also loved Ivy, who was such a sweet little thing, she is only introduced way later in the series though, so I won't say much else!
I love that Karen McCombie has shown us all these little things that the characters do and how different their personality traits are. She wrote the family aspect amazingly - capturing the chaotic, yet wonderful, every day life of being in a big family. The characters had their ups and downs, where they lent on each other for support when there were times as trouble and I could clearly see the strong bond they all had with each other. It was truly wonderful the way Karen McCombie wrote the life of the Love family.
Throughout Ally's World, we also become acquainted with Sandie, Ally's best friend who can win the award for being The Shyest Person in the Universe; Kyra (my name!), who, at first sights, is seen as rude and obnoxious...but there is more than meets the eye; Billy, Ally's boy best mate and her four other friends who we also begin to know, but not quite as well as the others, who are made up of Chloe, Jen, Salma and Kellie.
The characters in this series are fantastic!
Ally is such a phenomenal character! She is sarcastic, funny, kind and she tells her stories with such an authentic voice. Throughout the series it honestly feels like we have become best friends. I love the way she tells the stories of her everyday life and how she deals with certain situations. She is also a character that I can relate to, as we are both professional worriers.
Then there are Ally's three best friends: Sandie, who is such a sweet character that I immediately liked, although she did disappoint me later on in the story as she did something that she really shouldn't have done, but I suppose it did all workout in the end. Billy, I adored Billy! He is, as Ally calls him, such a berk. He's absolutely hilarious and I often found myself laughing at the ridiculous antics that he could get up to. Then there is Kyra...at first I was disappointed to share my name with her, as she was quite rude and obnoxious without a singular tactful bone in her body.
However, I soon learned about Kyra's troubled home life in book four and I felt sorry for her. Kyra, as a character, definitely improves throughout the series. She is still loud and obnoxious...but she is funny and sarcastic too, which is a good thing. I think.
This is a truly phenomenal series. I would love to say more, especially about books 10 to 14 in the series. Some truly shocking things happened and there were times where I wanted to cry, scream, hug the books and fling them across the room.
Whenever I started reading the next book in the series, I felt like I was being welcomed into my second home. It felt like I was literally living in the story, and partaking in the hustle of the Love household's every day life. I felt like part of the family. I know the characters' histories, I know their fears, their wants and I know each of them as they were my own sibling.
I think that's the truly amazing thing that Karen McCombie accomplished when she wrote the stories, is how she makes you feel like you're living in their world. She makes the characters seem so unbelievably real.
When you open another Ally's World book, you'll feel as if you are walking into your second home.
These books are absolutely perfect. The characters are loveable, the dialogue is fantastic and Karen McCombie has a way with words that will have you devouring every word on the page and constantly in hunger for more.
The last book was highly emotional, as I saw how far the characters had come, compared to where they were at in the first book. Laughs will be had, tears will be shed, hearts will broken, unexpected love lurks around the corner, families will fall and families will be completed. The last book was stunning and I was a highly emotional person after the final page had been read. A series that I will cherish. After reading this whole series, I can safely say Karen McCombie is now one of my favourite authors.
If you are to read these books, I'd recommend that you make sure you have all the books in the series at your fingertips, as you'll want to keep reading and drinking in the words and completely losing yourself in Ally's World.
I give it: 5/5 CUPCAKES!
I have finally finished the series. All fourteen books, in a space of ten days. I read the first four books in the series when I was ten or eleven, and I adored them. This January, I really felt like revisiting them, as well as continuing with the rest of the books in the series that were still in the garage. I was scared that I wouldn't like them anymore in case I felt that they were too young for me...but I think I loved them even more this time round. IT WAS JUST...SO... PERFECT! *sobs* And I am now officially emotionally attached to this series.
The whole Ally's World series centers around thirteen year old Ally who lives in Crouch End in London, in her ramshackle house with her quirky family. Throughout the series we are introduced to her sweet, but dippy dad; her seventeen year old sister Linn, who is neat freak and is quite grouchy with the fact that she has to live in such a chaotic house; Rowan, who is fifteen years old and is away with the fairies, her room is completely overtaken by fairy-lights and her own misshapen art projects; last but not least is her seven year old brother Tor, who is an animal fanatic, with a bedroom that doubles as the equivalent of London zoo. The only person missing in this equation is there mom who left them four years ago, battling bad post-natal depression after having Tor, to go travel the world that she has always wanted to see.
I absolutely ADORE Ally's family. They are all so loveable and quirky and I just adore them! Linn is the super-sensible, neat-freak and the oldest one out of the siblings. She also thinks that she has actually been adopted and belongs to a royal family somewhere out there. I felt sorry for Linn, at times I wished she wouldn't be so grouchy, but I could understand the frustration that she felt. I completely adored Rowan, she was utterly adorable and so sweet! I loved how she wasn't afraid to be different and dress quirkily, as it really just made her such a fantastic character that was strong in her own way. Tor was utterly adorable, he is such a cute character, and I loved reading about all his endless pets. I also loved Ivy, who was such a sweet little thing, she is only introduced way later in the series though, so I won't say much else!
I love that Karen McCombie has shown us all these little things that the characters do and how different their personality traits are. She wrote the family aspect amazingly - capturing the chaotic, yet wonderful, every day life of being in a big family. The characters had their ups and downs, where they lent on each other for support when there were times as trouble and I could clearly see the strong bond they all had with each other. It was truly wonderful the way Karen McCombie wrote the life of the Love family.
Throughout Ally's World, we also become acquainted with Sandie, Ally's best friend who can win the award for being The Shyest Person in the Universe; Kyra (my name!), who, at first sights, is seen as rude and obnoxious...but there is more than meets the eye; Billy, Ally's boy best mate and her four other friends who we also begin to know, but not quite as well as the others, who are made up of Chloe, Jen, Salma and Kellie.
The characters in this series are fantastic!
Ally is such a phenomenal character! She is sarcastic, funny, kind and she tells her stories with such an authentic voice. Throughout the series it honestly feels like we have become best friends. I love the way she tells the stories of her everyday life and how she deals with certain situations. She is also a character that I can relate to, as we are both professional worriers.
Then there are Ally's three best friends: Sandie, who is such a sweet character that I immediately liked, although she did disappoint me later on in the story as she did something that she really shouldn't have done, but I suppose it did all workout in the end. Billy, I adored Billy! He is, as Ally calls him, such a berk. He's absolutely hilarious and I often found myself laughing at the ridiculous antics that he could get up to. Then there is Kyra...at first I was disappointed to share my name with her, as she was quite rude and obnoxious without a singular tactful bone in her body.
However, I soon learned about Kyra's troubled home life in book four and I felt sorry for her. Kyra, as a character, definitely improves throughout the series. She is still loud and obnoxious...but she is funny and sarcastic too, which is a good thing. I think.
This is a truly phenomenal series. I would love to say more, especially about books 10 to 14 in the series. Some truly shocking things happened and there were times where I wanted to cry, scream, hug the books and fling them across the room.
Whenever I started reading the next book in the series, I felt like I was being welcomed into my second home. It felt like I was literally living in the story, and partaking in the hustle of the Love household's every day life. I felt like part of the family. I know the characters' histories, I know their fears, their wants and I know each of them as they were my own sibling.
I think that's the truly amazing thing that Karen McCombie accomplished when she wrote the stories, is how she makes you feel like you're living in their world. She makes the characters seem so unbelievably real.
When you open another Ally's World book, you'll feel as if you are walking into your second home.
These books are absolutely perfect. The characters are loveable, the dialogue is fantastic and Karen McCombie has a way with words that will have you devouring every word on the page and constantly in hunger for more.
The last book was highly emotional, as I saw how far the characters had come, compared to where they were at in the first book. Laughs will be had, tears will be shed, hearts will broken, unexpected love lurks around the corner, families will fall and families will be completed. The last book was stunning and I was a highly emotional person after the final page had been read. A series that I will cherish. After reading this whole series, I can safely say Karen McCombie is now one of my favourite authors.
If you are to read these books, I'd recommend that you make sure you have all the books in the series at your fingertips, as you'll want to keep reading and drinking in the words and completely losing yourself in Ally's World.
I give it: 5/5 CUPCAKES!
May 15, 2024
Dějově čtvrtá kniha dosahuje vyšších dramatických rovin než její předchůdkyně. Nejlepší kamarádka Alice se začíná chovat zvláštně a do děje vstupuje ex přítel její druhé kamarádky, u něhož je možné, že má o Alici zájem. Dále se Alice konečně seznámí s tajemnou matkou Kyry a novým přítelem její babičky. O napětí opravdu není nouze.
Karen McCombie taktně popisuje řadu vážných témat jako alkoholismus, strach z opuštění, přílišná závislost na kamarádech, žárlivost a vztahová komplikovanost. Poslední položku je třeba brát trochu s nadhledem, neboť se tu stále bavíme o třináctiletých dětech. Líbí se mi však velká diverzita postav a především rodičovských figur. Rozmanitost, zvláštnost a ojedinělost jsou jedněmi z hlavních motivů v Alicině světě. Tímto končí má probádaná sféra knih od Karen McCombie. S dalším dílem konečně získám ten pocit prvního přečtení, ačkoliv musím uznat, že spoustu detailů jsem zapomněla i u těch dílů, které jsem četla, proto jsem častokrát byla příjemně překvapená.
Karen McCombie taktně popisuje řadu vážných témat jako alkoholismus, strach z opuštění, přílišná závislost na kamarádech, žárlivost a vztahová komplikovanost. Poslední položku je třeba brát trochu s nadhledem, neboť se tu stále bavíme o třináctiletých dětech. Líbí se mi však velká diverzita postav a především rodičovských figur. Rozmanitost, zvláštnost a ojedinělost jsou jedněmi z hlavních motivů v Alicině světě. Tímto končí má probádaná sféra knih od Karen McCombie. S dalším dílem konečně získám ten pocit prvního přečtení, ačkoliv musím uznat, že spoustu detailů jsem zapomněla i u těch dílů, které jsem četla, proto jsem častokrát byla příjemně překvapená.
November 30, 2017
Once again I would recommend this series, this book carries on in the same fashion as the others. It would probably be less enjoyable if you haven't read the previous books because you won't really know what is happening with any of the characters. However you can probably get the whole book read in a few hours, definitely a day, so if you're after a light and fast read then pick up this book!
Read more on my blog at: https://bookgeek2015.wordpress.com/
Read more on my blog at: https://bookgeek2015.wordpress.com/
April 21, 2023
Série: Alice a ... . Tuto sérii jsem naprosto milovala. Alice je velmi vtipná a blázen. Oblíbila jsem si celou rodinu a mimo to i Alfieho. Rozhodně doporučuji, sice je Alice 13 let, ale myslím, že knížku si můžou přečíst i starší. ;)
January 8, 2019
it was really funny at parts and i rather enjoyed reading it!
December 19, 2011
Serial Ally’s World adalah catatan Ally Love yang berusia 13 tahun untuk ibunya yang sudah meninggal. Keluarga Ally terdiri dari satu nenek, satu ayah, dua kakak perempuan, Ally, dan satu adik laki-laki. Seluruh serial ini bercerita tentang kehidupan sehari-hari Ally dalam menghadapi masalah keluarga, pertemanan, sekolah, dan cowok.
Dalam Friends, Freak-Outs and Very Secret Secrets, Ally bingung mengapa sahabatnya (Sandie) mendadak menjadi aneh. Sandie terus-terusan menempel kepada Ally, bahkan meniru semua yang dilakukan dan dimiliki oleh Ally. Teman Ally yang lain, Kyra, juga bersikap aneh. Kyra mengeluh tentang ibunya, padahal menurut Ally ibunya Kyra baik. Mendadak mantan pacarnya Kyra, Richie, mau bicara dengan Ally. Sandie malah berkata Ally menyukai Billy, teman baik Ally. Ally pun bingung dibuatnya. Ally pun pusing ketika harus ikut serta dalam sebuah Bazaar. Apa yang harus ia jual?
Masalah semakin rumit ketika mamanya Kyra marah-marah kepada mamanya Sandie. Ternyata mamanya Kyra pernah keguguran sedangkan mamanya Sandie sedang hamil. Itu jugalah mengapa Sandie jadi menempel terus kepada Ally.
Tuturannya unik dan khas ABG. Banyaknya kejadian berputar di sekitar Ally yang membuat cerita terus bergulir. Sayangnya, tidak ada hal yang benar-benar istimewa dalam novel ini. Maksudnya, Ally cuma anak perempuan biasa dengan kehidupan biasa. Hal yang tidak biasa dalam hidup Ally “cuma" ia sudah tidak punya ibu dan punya keluarga besar. Plot semacam ini sudah pernah diangkat dalam serial ABG lainnya (serial Alice dan Buku Harianku).
Dalam Friends, Freak-Outs and Very Secret Secrets, Ally bingung mengapa sahabatnya (Sandie) mendadak menjadi aneh. Sandie terus-terusan menempel kepada Ally, bahkan meniru semua yang dilakukan dan dimiliki oleh Ally. Teman Ally yang lain, Kyra, juga bersikap aneh. Kyra mengeluh tentang ibunya, padahal menurut Ally ibunya Kyra baik. Mendadak mantan pacarnya Kyra, Richie, mau bicara dengan Ally. Sandie malah berkata Ally menyukai Billy, teman baik Ally. Ally pun bingung dibuatnya. Ally pun pusing ketika harus ikut serta dalam sebuah Bazaar. Apa yang harus ia jual?
Masalah semakin rumit ketika mamanya Kyra marah-marah kepada mamanya Sandie. Ternyata mamanya Kyra pernah keguguran sedangkan mamanya Sandie sedang hamil. Itu jugalah mengapa Sandie jadi menempel terus kepada Ally.
Tuturannya unik dan khas ABG. Banyaknya kejadian berputar di sekitar Ally yang membuat cerita terus bergulir. Sayangnya, tidak ada hal yang benar-benar istimewa dalam novel ini. Maksudnya, Ally cuma anak perempuan biasa dengan kehidupan biasa. Hal yang tidak biasa dalam hidup Ally “cuma" ia sudah tidak punya ibu dan punya keluarga besar. Plot semacam ini sudah pernah diangkat dalam serial ABG lainnya (serial Alice dan Buku Harianku).
January 27, 2016
Alice mi přišla velmi sympatická, protože se chová jako normální teenagerka, dokonce i tak mluví, což ve většině knih často nevídám. Nejlepší hlášky mají ale její sestry – Jabla a Linn. Obě se neustále pošťuchují a Alice označuje jejich hádky za třetí světovou. Nesmím ovšem zapomenout na malého brášku Tora, který se s velkou láskou a péčí stará o všechny domácí mazlíčky. Poslední, koho jsem si v knize oblíbila je Billy, hodný, chytrý, milý, pozorný, taky trošku praštěný…prostě ideální kluk. Společně s Alicí tvoří nerozlučnou dvojku a já doufám, že si Alice brzo uvědomí, jak úžasného kluka vedle sebe má.
V celé knize mi nesedla Alicina máma, která se v příběhu sice vůbec nevyskytovala, protože neustále cestuje po světě a na rodinu prostě nemá čas!
Příběh plynul rychle a přišel mi až neuvěřitelně reálný, jako by autorka popisovala své nebo dceřiny zážitky. Všechny postavy, jejich chování a situace, které hrdinové prožívají…Podle mě autorka vytvořila dokonalý příběh, ve kterém si každý z nás najde kousek sebe.
Kniha je sice psána pro děti od 9-12 let, ale mě se líbila a určitě bych ji doporučila i starším čtenářům. Pokud máte chuť na vtipnou oddechovku, tohle je ta správná volba! :) 4/5
A já nakonec na něco přijdu – akorát že to musí být prima. A proklatě rychle, protože ten trh se koná za pouhý dva týdny…
V celé knize mi nesedla Alicina máma, která se v příběhu sice vůbec nevyskytovala, protože neustále cestuje po světě a na rodinu prostě nemá čas!
Příběh plynul rychle a přišel mi až neuvěřitelně reálný, jako by autorka popisovala své nebo dceřiny zážitky. Všechny postavy, jejich chování a situace, které hrdinové prožívají…Podle mě autorka vytvořila dokonalý příběh, ve kterém si každý z nás najde kousek sebe.
Kniha je sice psána pro děti od 9-12 let, ale mě se líbila a určitě bych ji doporučila i starším čtenářům. Pokud máte chuť na vtipnou oddechovku, tohle je ta správná volba! :) 4/5
A já nakonec na něco přijdu – akorát že to musí být prima. A proklatě rychle, protože ten trh se koná za pouhý dva týdny…
November 15, 2013
**GENERAL REVIEW FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES**
Aww, man....
I started reading these books when I was about nine years old. I don't think I even read them in order at first, just got whichever ones I could find out of my schools library. I loved them. LOVED.
Eventually I figured out the order and filled in the gaps. And then proceeded to read the entire series about five times over. Those were the times.
Ally was my spirit animal in those days. She was a little awkward, wasn't quite sure where she fit into her family, had a nice group of friends but only a special few that she considered best friends. She was unlucky in love, to say the least. That's not even mentioning all of the unbelievably embarrassing moments.
Coupled with a few other series, these books pretty much sum up my childhood reading. I think my heart sank a little when I realised I was reading the last one.
Aww, man....
I started reading these books when I was about nine years old. I don't think I even read them in order at first, just got whichever ones I could find out of my schools library. I loved them. LOVED.
Eventually I figured out the order and filled in the gaps. And then proceeded to read the entire series about five times over. Those were the times.
Ally was my spirit animal in those days. She was a little awkward, wasn't quite sure where she fit into her family, had a nice group of friends but only a special few that she considered best friends. She was unlucky in love, to say the least. That's not even mentioning all of the unbelievably embarrassing moments.
Coupled with a few other series, these books pretty much sum up my childhood reading. I think my heart sank a little when I realised I was reading the last one.
March 25, 2023
I remembered before I started reading. that Sandie would be ridiculous throughout, and I remembered her reason for it, but the way she explains it at the end sounded more reasonable than I'd thought. Still, I don't think her insecurities needed to make her quite so annoying, and really, I think she's old enough to cope a bit better!
I also remembered that Ally lets herself down in this one, but reading her thought processes this time, I realised that it's very human to think disloyal thoughts; most of us keep them secret but Ally's innermost thoughts are on display to her reader all the time, and she does at least have the good grace to feel bad for doubting Kyra's word. I was very disappointed with Kyra's reaction to Richie/Ricardo's big romantic gesture - or, as I see it, pestering and manipulation. Overall not one of the better books of the series, but still enjoyable.
I also remembered that Ally lets herself down in this one, but reading her thought processes this time, I realised that it's very human to think disloyal thoughts; most of us keep them secret but Ally's innermost thoughts are on display to her reader all the time, and she does at least have the good grace to feel bad for doubting Kyra's word. I was very disappointed with Kyra's reaction to Richie/Ricardo's big romantic gesture - or, as I see it, pestering and manipulation. Overall not one of the better books of the series, but still enjoyable.
September 28, 2007
kyra is really strong. she is scared inside but she shows strength and cheekiness that hdes her terrified inside
October 5, 2010
It was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 21, 2016
3.5 stars.
June 13, 2015
very funny and enjoyable
September 24, 2010
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! I could read ally's world all day long!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews