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Alice #18
Alice in the Know
It’s the summer before junior year, and Alice is looking forward to three months of excitement, passion, and drama. But what does she find? A summer working in a local department store, trying to stop shoplifters, and more “real life” problems than she could have ever A good friend becomes seriously ill, Lester has more romance problems than even Alice knows what to do with, and the gang from Mark Stedmeister’s pool is starting to grow up a bit faster than Alice is comfortable with….Fortunately for Alice her family and friends are with her through it all, and by the end of the summer, Alice finds she knows a whole lot more than she had in June.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2006
17 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
244 books1,034 followersPhyllis Reynolds Naylor was born in Anderson, Indiana, US on January 4, 1933.
Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.
Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."
By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.
Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.
Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.
Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.
Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."
By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.
Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.
Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 6, 2018
Oh I do get tired of other characters being introduced and used to illustrate lessons. Tracy and Gwen aren't people who happen to be African-American, they're People of Color who deal with racism and never have full personalities of their own.
And the boys. Don't get me started on how many of them are such losers.
Problematic, too, is the way our jail-bait trio flirts with everything in pants and then gets scared and runs for help if the 'sexy because older' guys respond. There's going to be a young man in prison before the series is over, if Naylor is actually writing true-to-life. I mean, it's ok to have fun, and guys absolutely must respect 'no' - but come on, play fair, and pick on someone your own age!
And the boys. Don't get me started on how many of them are such losers.
Problematic, too, is the way our jail-bait trio flirts with everything in pants and then gets scared and runs for help if the 'sexy because older' guys respond. There's going to be a young man in prison before the series is over, if Naylor is actually writing true-to-life. I mean, it's ok to have fun, and guys absolutely must respect 'no' - but come on, play fair, and pick on someone your own age!
May 15, 2017
this was a great book and it definitely had a lot of heart to it. i am still shook about some of the events in this book.
September 23, 2021
This book's theme is Alice longing for a large extended family she can see often. It makes sense since Alice has a relatively small family but not sure why she suddenly feels this way.
Alice is finally working somewhere besides the Melody Inn. It's nice to see Alice growing but I love the Melody Inn characters and explanations of the Gift Shoppe (Chopin Liszt, the gift wheel, conversations with Marilyn). I do miss Janice Sherman and Alice's constant refrain of not wanting her to marry Ben. Her summer job at a department store is so typical for a high schooler, I worked retail in high school and I hated being on my feet all day.
Race is also a big theme in the book. Lester's new girlfriend is Black and Alice acknowledges deep down she thought Tracey would want to join their white family - I'm glad Alice was able to reflect on her true feelings. Though her use of the word Cacausian is a little outdated. Alice does have Gwen who expands her worldview but the book acts like she isn't capable of not using the word "girl" in every sentence.
Alice has talked about working in psychology since practically the beginning of the series and in this book she decides to be a school counselor. A little unrealistic - who ends up doing what they decided in seventh grade?
Obligatory Patrick hate: Gwen says she's decided to be a doctor and this is his response: "'It’s a long haul, Gwen—medical school,' Patrick cautioned." What the hell? I believe the correct reaction for a friend is enthusiasm and encouragement.
SPOILER - Sadly, Molly is diagnosed with cancer and this topic becomes a storyline in the rest of the books. It seems like Naylor just wanted to cram as many topics as she could into the books. We know Molly from stage crew but I'm not especially interested in her.
I like the summer books because Alice has more interactions with her friends and "the gang" than during the school year.
Alice is finally working somewhere besides the Melody Inn. It's nice to see Alice growing but I love the Melody Inn characters and explanations of the Gift Shoppe (Chopin Liszt, the gift wheel, conversations with Marilyn). I do miss Janice Sherman and Alice's constant refrain of not wanting her to marry Ben. Her summer job at a department store is so typical for a high schooler, I worked retail in high school and I hated being on my feet all day.
Race is also a big theme in the book. Lester's new girlfriend is Black and Alice acknowledges deep down she thought Tracey would want to join their white family - I'm glad Alice was able to reflect on her true feelings. Though her use of the word Cacausian is a little outdated. Alice does have Gwen who expands her worldview but the book acts like she isn't capable of not using the word "girl" in every sentence.
Alice has talked about working in psychology since practically the beginning of the series and in this book she decides to be a school counselor. A little unrealistic - who ends up doing what they decided in seventh grade?
Obligatory Patrick hate: Gwen says she's decided to be a doctor and this is his response: "'It’s a long haul, Gwen—medical school,' Patrick cautioned." What the hell? I believe the correct reaction for a friend is enthusiasm and encouragement.
SPOILER - Sadly, Molly is diagnosed with cancer and this topic becomes a storyline in the rest of the books. It seems like Naylor just wanted to cram as many topics as she could into the books. We know Molly from stage crew but I'm not especially interested in her.
I like the summer books because Alice has more interactions with her friends and "the gang" than during the school year.
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January 7, 2020My book was “Alice in the know”. It’s about a girl that had a job at her dad’s book shop during the summer. Then the funding for the part she was working ran out so she had to find a new job. This made her very mad with her dad. But in the end she got a new job. In a mall. She liked it, and she learned a lot more than she would have at her dad’s book shop.
Her and her friends started to hangout at least one time a week. They would almost do anything. Between swim and get food. They had lots of fun just being around each other. She was working on getting her drivers licence. Then to get a car so she could drive with her friends and have a better way to work. Her job was to take clothes out of the stalls after people would try them on.
One of the things she talks about is her brother and his girlfriend. She went over for dinner one time and they are really nice people. The girlfriend and her made dinner and talked about things. Like Thanksgiving and what they do, what uncles and stuff come over. They ate and had desert. Alice really liked it. She got samples of perfume for the girlfriend to try as a gift and that was pretty much their night. Alice went home it was a goodnight.
I think this book was really good, and that’s saying a lot because I hate reading. I could actually sit down and read this book. I thought it had a good story and it was pretty easy to understand. That and I feel like I can connect with her, and the experiences she has in the book. Anyways I liked this book a lot and it was really fun to read.
Her and her friends started to hangout at least one time a week. They would almost do anything. Between swim and get food. They had lots of fun just being around each other. She was working on getting her drivers licence. Then to get a car so she could drive with her friends and have a better way to work. Her job was to take clothes out of the stalls after people would try them on.
One of the things she talks about is her brother and his girlfriend. She went over for dinner one time and they are really nice people. The girlfriend and her made dinner and talked about things. Like Thanksgiving and what they do, what uncles and stuff come over. They ate and had desert. Alice really liked it. She got samples of perfume for the girlfriend to try as a gift and that was pretty much their night. Alice went home it was a goodnight.
I think this book was really good, and that’s saying a lot because I hate reading. I could actually sit down and read this book. I thought it had a good story and it was pretty easy to understand. That and I feel like I can connect with her, and the experiences she has in the book. Anyways I liked this book a lot and it was really fun to read.
August 1, 2017
Had to wait a while to get this one picked up from the library. The time period of this book - Alice's summer between junior and senior year - is exactly where I am right now. Sixteen. Alice got a part-time job just like me! Just like me, she got it pretty late, in July! Of course, Alice can drive and I can't. Anyway, it's nice to see the continuation of Alice and her friends and family's lives. Some things are a sobering reality - Gwen's leukemia diagnosis, Grandpa McKinley's dying... but there's the little moments of beauty too. Alice is growing to look more and more like her mother, Marie. Loved reading about another of Alice's trips to the beach, now that I know what it's like. I wish Patrick were in this more. I wish Lester could finally be happy with a girl. One thing I will say, though, is that most of the guys Alice hangs out with are absolute jerks. Brian, Mark... spoiled, entitled idiots. Can't wait to see how Alice's junior year goes. I know just how she feels when she looks at the scared freshmen at orientation and thinks of herself two years ago, though our orientations are on separate days by grade. Lester is definitely more mature. I liked the exciting scene where Alice caught shoplifters and realized that criminals can look like anything and she shouldn't be too partial or impartial to any group. I also hope that Pamela's dad comes around soon and discovers how smart and great Gwen is.
July 31, 2017
I actually really like this one! It had a nice balance of teenage drama with real-life issues, a line that PRN does not always succeed in walking. But this one was genuinely heartwarming and handled Big Issues without being overwrought or sappy.
I think I'm also inclined to enjoy the books that I remember most vividly, and for whatever reason, this one stuck in my mind: the trip to the beach, the summer job, even some of the descriptions and imagery. I also appreciate the lack of romance in this one: it's really all about Alice growing up, learning more about herself and friends, being a person. I'm glad PRN doesn't feel the need to infuse each book with romance and summer flings, especially since that's far from the typical high school experience. Definitely one of the better later Alice books.
I think I'm also inclined to enjoy the books that I remember most vividly, and for whatever reason, this one stuck in my mind: the trip to the beach, the summer job, even some of the descriptions and imagery. I also appreciate the lack of romance in this one: it's really all about Alice growing up, learning more about herself and friends, being a person. I'm glad PRN doesn't feel the need to infuse each book with romance and summer flings, especially since that's far from the typical high school experience. Definitely one of the better later Alice books.
May 29, 2018
I just love the Alice series! It’s so fun to watch these group of kids grow up! On to the next one…
February 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Alice gets some real life experience and realizes that some of her friends are really bad influences. All of her life experiences just seem so real and honest.
June 19, 2019
The race stuff in this one is pretty weird. For some reason I cried at the end.
March 25, 2020
I liked that we get some new aspects in this installment, however, the novel did just not grip me as much as past installments have.
July 30, 2020
Brings back early teen years when I started these! Glad to have a chance to finish the series
January 17, 2021
Great books! I love the reality of it!
December 11, 2021
maybe it's because i've read it before or maybe it really is better than the others but i liked alice in this one a lot more then the recent ones i read.
June 6, 2024
Same review every time, but I do enjoy this series! :)
April 3, 2008
I think I’m officially over the Alice series.
It’s just not as interesting as I thought it would be. The language has become rather easy and the chapters are so short and transparent. The title to each chapter gives so much away and isn’t the least bit original, like "Total Humiliation". Lame. Each chapter covers more than one aspect of the story, and each aspect is only mentioned in 1-2 pages before moving to something else. Sometimes, things don’t even connect, and other times, the author puts in things that aren’t important for the bigger story. Like the car scenario. Alice got off work and went to her car. When she tried to start the engine, she couldn’t get it to work. Then she called her brother Lester to ask him to help, but it turned out that she’d just forgotten to turn the “P” to “D”. I kept waiting for something to happen, and when it didn’t, I was just like, Huh? Why did the author include this? A teacher once told me that every detail mattered, but I didn’t see how this could have affected anything else that happened in the story.
One of the bigger reasons as to why I’m over this is because of the main character. I’m not sure if Alice has always been like this, but I certainly remember liking her so much better back in the previous books. Here, she presents herself as, well, a big mouth. Seriously. She tells everyone about the tiniest detail that happens in her life. Couldn’t get her car to start the other day? Told her best friends and family. Helped catch robbers at the mall Sunday? Yup, called just about everyone she knew. I’m not sure whether she’s just conceited or she really doesn’t know that nobody really cares. The whole idea to me sounds just silly and makes Alice seem like a character that doesn’t sound alive. I’m sure nobody can be that open—they’ve gotta keep some secrets to themselves. And “best friends share everything” or not, you do not need to tell your BFF something as uneventful as forgetting to turn the switch on to start the car. It’s just annoying to see that happen over and over and over again.
Also, the fact that this books plays with so many issues, makes it sound like amateur writing. The author jumps from racism to shoplifting to cancer patients. What’s the bigger message? I like authors to stick to mainly just one topic. It will flow better like that. This book, however, looked like the mini-stories that I wrote back in 6th grade where I just fast forwarded the details and jumped into the conversation, basically missing all the flow, details, and transitions that were needed to glorify a story.
And I’m definitely not too old to read Alice books. We’re both sixteen. But the book lacks the sophistication that resembles her age.
It’s just not as interesting as I thought it would be. The language has become rather easy and the chapters are so short and transparent. The title to each chapter gives so much away and isn’t the least bit original, like "Total Humiliation". Lame. Each chapter covers more than one aspect of the story, and each aspect is only mentioned in 1-2 pages before moving to something else. Sometimes, things don’t even connect, and other times, the author puts in things that aren’t important for the bigger story. Like the car scenario. Alice got off work and went to her car. When she tried to start the engine, she couldn’t get it to work. Then she called her brother Lester to ask him to help, but it turned out that she’d just forgotten to turn the “P” to “D”. I kept waiting for something to happen, and when it didn’t, I was just like, Huh? Why did the author include this? A teacher once told me that every detail mattered, but I didn’t see how this could have affected anything else that happened in the story.
One of the bigger reasons as to why I’m over this is because of the main character. I’m not sure if Alice has always been like this, but I certainly remember liking her so much better back in the previous books. Here, she presents herself as, well, a big mouth. Seriously. She tells everyone about the tiniest detail that happens in her life. Couldn’t get her car to start the other day? Told her best friends and family. Helped catch robbers at the mall Sunday? Yup, called just about everyone she knew. I’m not sure whether she’s just conceited or she really doesn’t know that nobody really cares. The whole idea to me sounds just silly and makes Alice seem like a character that doesn’t sound alive. I’m sure nobody can be that open—they’ve gotta keep some secrets to themselves. And “best friends share everything” or not, you do not need to tell your BFF something as uneventful as forgetting to turn the switch on to start the car. It’s just annoying to see that happen over and over and over again.
Also, the fact that this books plays with so many issues, makes it sound like amateur writing. The author jumps from racism to shoplifting to cancer patients. What’s the bigger message? I like authors to stick to mainly just one topic. It will flow better like that. This book, however, looked like the mini-stories that I wrote back in 6th grade where I just fast forwarded the details and jumped into the conversation, basically missing all the flow, details, and transitions that were needed to glorify a story.
And I’m definitely not too old to read Alice books. We’re both sixteen. But the book lacks the sophistication that resembles her age.
August 1, 2014
Alice decides to branch out and get a summer job that's NOT the Melody Inn.
Book takes place: Summer between sophomore and junior year.
Alice's life lessons: Yawn.
Best Alice moment(s): Aunt Sally's belief that men should not wear pants; Alice's quick thinking at the beach when she interrupts a wedding anniversary; Alice disrobing on a Jet ski.
Book takes place: Summer between sophomore and junior year.
Alice's life lessons: Yawn.
Best Alice moment(s): Aunt Sally's belief that men should not wear pants; Alice's quick thinking at the beach when she interrupts a wedding anniversary; Alice disrobing on a Jet ski.
May 13, 2010
The book Alice in the Know by Phyllis Reylonds Naylor is about a girl named Alice. It was the summer of her 16th year and she is looking foward to a lot of fun But that doesn't happen. Instead she has more and more problems going in her 3 months of summer. Alice is looking for a job because her dad feels that she should explore the world. But she doesn't know if she can find one because it's the middle of July. But soon enought shre finds herself a job at a mall. She thinks that it would be fun working at a mall, but soon she realizes that there are going to be things that she can't deal with. But later she finds herself losing a broher and a good friend. When Alice finds out that one of her good friends Molly is facing Leukemia, she doesn't know how to help, and she doesn't know how to act around her or what to say. But Alice has more problems she doesn't know she can solve. When she finds out that her brother is ready to get married and proposes to his girlfriend Alice gets all exicted. But when Tracy denies Alice feels as thought she has lost a part of her brother that she can't get back.
I thinks this book connects to me somehow because even though Alce thought this was the worst summer i think Alice didn't regret this summer. I don't think i would've regreted it either because she learned a lot. She learned how to deal with a friend going through cancer, she learned how to deal with a brother's broken heart and a job with lots of difficulties.
I recommend this book to everyone because it’s an enjoyable book and when you face problems like this you know how to deal with it.
I thinks this book connects to me somehow because even though Alce thought this was the worst summer i think Alice didn't regret this summer. I don't think i would've regreted it either because she learned a lot. She learned how to deal with a friend going through cancer, she learned how to deal with a brother's broken heart and a job with lots of difficulties.
I recommend this book to everyone because it’s an enjoyable book and when you face problems like this you know how to deal with it.
December 19, 2016
I have always enjoyed these books, but now that I live in the same county in which they are set (Montgomery County, Maryland) I find myself feeling as though I am in the know about things in ways that other readers might not be. When Alice names specific roads or landmarks, I often know where they are, and when she talks about living in Silver Spring and Takoma Park, I can now picture what those towns look like. I always connected with these books on some level, but I can also relate to how neat it must be for kids who live in this area to have those neat little inside jokes with their favorite character.
As in many of the Alice books, this one takes on a lot of big issues all at once, sort of like an episode of a teen TV soap opera. While this has always been a problem for me in this series in general, I think I understand Naylor’s desire to have Alice explore as many facets of life as possible. Girls from many backgrounds follow this series and look to Alice as a role model and a guide for getting through difficult situations. With so many girls looking to Alice for inspiration and help, it does make sense that Naylor would want to show her reaction to as many different situations as possible. Sure, it seems unrealistic when a bunch of those situations come up in the same book, but taken individually, each scenario is usually well-realized and filled with sound advice (even if it’s not always advice I’d give or accept.)
As in many of the Alice books, this one takes on a lot of big issues all at once, sort of like an episode of a teen TV soap opera. While this has always been a problem for me in this series in general, I think I understand Naylor’s desire to have Alice explore as many facets of life as possible. Girls from many backgrounds follow this series and look to Alice as a role model and a guide for getting through difficult situations. With so many girls looking to Alice for inspiration and help, it does make sense that Naylor would want to show her reaction to as many different situations as possible. Sure, it seems unrealistic when a bunch of those situations come up in the same book, but taken individually, each scenario is usually well-realized and filled with sound advice (even if it’s not always advice I’d give or accept.)
April 17, 2009
Alice was always the daughter every family wanted. She works in her dad's music store until one day her dad said well you are a big girl now you should go out in the world working for someone else. Alice didn't want to work at any other store except her father's music store. B"ut eventually Alice found a job in a mall. Since working in the mall Alice had learn many things about life. From shoplifting to dangerous robbery, Alice had face them all.
This summer Alice is ready to grow up and become a more mature girl. Alice gets more knowledge from her work and spending time with other people instead of spending her summer time facing her father 24/7.
Phyllis Naylor wrote many Alice series from children's chapter books to young adult novels on Alice. All of Phyllis Naylor's book has vaulable lesson from children to teens. Phyllis Naylor understand the many problems children and teens have throughout school and life.
Every chapter contain new problems Alice is facing throughout life. These problems occurs to Alice and Alice have to try solving her own problems and to face the problems happening throughout the world. Many people had faced the same problems now the reader will know the consequence for making the same mistake as Alice. Phyllis Naylor is trying to tell us not to make the same mistake if you do go faced your problems and move on with your life just like alice.
This summer Alice is ready to grow up and become a more mature girl. Alice gets more knowledge from her work and spending time with other people instead of spending her summer time facing her father 24/7.
Phyllis Naylor wrote many Alice series from children's chapter books to young adult novels on Alice. All of Phyllis Naylor's book has vaulable lesson from children to teens. Phyllis Naylor understand the many problems children and teens have throughout school and life.
Every chapter contain new problems Alice is facing throughout life. These problems occurs to Alice and Alice have to try solving her own problems and to face the problems happening throughout the world. Many people had faced the same problems now the reader will know the consequence for making the same mistake as Alice. Phyllis Naylor is trying to tell us not to make the same mistake if you do go faced your problems and move on with your life just like alice.
January 31, 2013
Alice gets a summer job working at an department store, struggles with a dear friend's life threatening illness, and tries to help Lester recover from a break up.
An interesting turn in the Alice series. I appreciated her father's push for her to seek employment in the real world (i.e. beyond the safety of the music store he manages). She learns a lot of important life lessons and these are presented realistically, including consequences, such that readers will learn from Alice's mistakes.
Also of interest in this book was the discussion about consensual sex that Alice and her friends have at Mark's pool. Even though they are only teenagers, the boys and girls bring up a range of opinions/ideas on the topic giving the conversation real world authenticity.
Speaking of sex (one of the main reasons this series has been challenged), Alice takes a quiz that measures her experience with the promise of revealing who she will be romantically linked to in the future. The questions are blunt and Alice, as well as many of her friends, answers honestly, making this a big red flag for any parents who may object to the content.
Recommended for teen girls grades 9 and up.
An interesting turn in the Alice series. I appreciated her father's push for her to seek employment in the real world (i.e. beyond the safety of the music store he manages). She learns a lot of important life lessons and these are presented realistically, including consequences, such that readers will learn from Alice's mistakes.
Also of interest in this book was the discussion about consensual sex that Alice and her friends have at Mark's pool. Even though they are only teenagers, the boys and girls bring up a range of opinions/ideas on the topic giving the conversation real world authenticity.
Speaking of sex (one of the main reasons this series has been challenged), Alice takes a quiz that measures her experience with the promise of revealing who she will be romantically linked to in the future. The questions are blunt and Alice, as well as many of her friends, answers honestly, making this a big red flag for any parents who may object to the content.
Recommended for teen girls grades 9 and up.
October 3, 2023
September 2023 reread.
This is my favorite summer installment from Alice’s high school years. There are several funny moments, a few really embarrassing ones, and a lot of heartfelt family scenes in the story. The last few pages never fail to cause me to tear up.
This book introduces Keeno, new to the friend group, and from a private school (I guess he replaces Tom Perona from Saint Joseph’s, who we haven’t seen since Alice the Brave), and expands the role of Gwen‘s friend Yolanda from one who is mentioned to one who is a fringe member of the friend group, and occasional fifth with Alice, Liz, Pam, and Gwen. This book also marks the end of Lester’s relationship with Tracy.
November 2019 reread.
Shades of the old Alice in her embarrassments (the Jet Ski, taking time off from her job), strong family ties (Lester's surprise party), and real maturity (the surprise visit to Tennessee). One of the better high school installments.
This is my favorite summer installment from Alice’s high school years. There are several funny moments, a few really embarrassing ones, and a lot of heartfelt family scenes in the story. The last few pages never fail to cause me to tear up.
This book introduces Keeno, new to the friend group, and from a private school (I guess he replaces Tom Perona from Saint Joseph’s, who we haven’t seen since Alice the Brave), and expands the role of Gwen‘s friend Yolanda from one who is mentioned to one who is a fringe member of the friend group, and occasional fifth with Alice, Liz, Pam, and Gwen. This book also marks the end of Lester’s relationship with Tracy.
November 2019 reread.
Shades of the old Alice in her embarrassments (the Jet Ski, taking time off from her job), strong family ties (Lester's surprise party), and real maturity (the surprise visit to Tennessee). One of the better high school installments.
April 19, 2017
It's the summer before junior year, and Alice is looking forward to three months of excitement, passion, and drama. But what does she find? A summer working in a local department store, trying to stop shoplifters, and more "real life" problems than she could have ever imagined: A good friend becomes seriously ill, Lester has more romance problems than even Alice knows what to do with, and the gang from Mark Stedmeister's pool is starting to grow up a bit faster than Alice is comfortable with.... Fortunately for Alice her family and friends are with her through it all, and by the end of the summer, Alice finds she knows a whole lot more than she had in June.Funny, touching, and always provocative, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor does it again, proving with this twenty-first book in the beloved Alice series that she understands what real girls think and feel
August 22, 2009
I love the Alice books, but this one is not one of my favorites. It's still a wonderful read because Ms. Naylor is a wonderful writer, but I found parts of it a little tedious. As always, I love the characters, I love the way important social and relational issues are addressed, and I love the poignant ending. What felt "tedious" to me though was what came across as day-by-day journaling and I found myself wanting to get to the end of the book as quickly as possible. It's still a good read but just not my favorite in the series.
July 24, 2016
It's summer between Alice's sophomore and junior years, and she has a lot going on. She gets a part-time job at a local department store, takes a trip with her friends to the beach, and spends time at Mark's pool with the whole gang.
The summer job bits were really interesting. Alice dealt with some uncomfortable stuff, but readers who haven't had jobs yet will learn valuable lessons. The character is definitely maturing, but there are still some hilarious bits that are very applicable to teens (i.e. filling out questionable surveys and wanting to play but getting lost and freaked out).
The summer job bits were really interesting. Alice dealt with some uncomfortable stuff, but readers who haven't had jobs yet will learn valuable lessons. The character is definitely maturing, but there are still some hilarious bits that are very applicable to teens (i.e. filling out questionable surveys and wanting to play but getting lost and freaked out).
March 9, 2011
book 18, in which alice ponders the meaning of family. she's never had a big one, but what about friends? can they be family too? she begins working for a department store, and learns that having her dad for a boss is preferable. molly is diagnosed with cancer. lester and tracy are on the rocks. alice throws him a surprise birthday party to cheer him up (you think she would know better than this by now?), and her grandpa falls ill.
November 3, 2014
This book was very touching and soft spoken. I love the details and realistic fiction of it all. I love the fact that none of this has happened before yet it feels like i'm reading someone's real life story. I can relate to Alice completeley during her struggle to find a job, embarrasing period accident, bumping into ex boyfriends, grandfather's illness, her stepmother and friends. I hope that anyone who sees it on a library shelve will pick it up.
February 3, 2012
This book is about a girl name Alice, who have problems like teenage girls today. I find this an interesting and fun book to read, the author had made me want to read more and know what will happen next. But, some parts in the book were quite boring and hard to understand. I like "The Gloomy of Alice" better than this one. The ending kinds of end so suddenly which made me lost a little bit of interest. However, this was a good book to read.
Want to read
August 28, 2013Banned Books 2011
Reasons: nudity; offensive language; religious viewpoint
Banned Books 2006
Reasons: offensive language and sexually explicit
Banned Books 2003
Reasons: sexual content, offensive language, unsuited to age group
Banned Books 2002
Reasons: homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
Banned Books 2001
Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
Reasons: nudity; offensive language; religious viewpoint
Banned Books 2006
Reasons: offensive language and sexually explicit
Banned Books 2003
Reasons: sexual content, offensive language, unsuited to age group
Banned Books 2002
Reasons: homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
Banned Books 2001
Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
July 14, 2009
I love the ALICE books. They're a modern Betsy-Tacy; a series where the heroine grows up, maturing through each book. Most of the ALICE books are 5-stars and this one came close, only the ending felt like a continuation to the next book. Of course I plan to read the next books and know I'll love them.
This series in brave, heartwarming and all kinds of AWESOME.
This series in brave, heartwarming and all kinds of AWESOME.
September 7, 2011
ALice is growing up! She is starting to deal with some major issues, such as friends doing drugs and learning what proper work protocol is. She learns about actions that have consequences and also starts to appreciate the small family she has, even though she desperately wishes she was surrounded by a large family.
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