The Grooming of Alice

Alice #12

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Alice and her friends Pamela and Elizabeth are getting into shape for the new school year by dieting and jogging three miles a day. But soon she and Pamela are afraid that Elizabeth may be taking her efforts to lose weight too seriously. Could the most exciting summer of their lives be a little too exciting?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens, Banned Books, Realistic Fiction, Teen

187 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Phyllis 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.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you were to ask me if I had to pinpoint with the Alice series switches from middle-grade to young adult, I would say it's The Grooming of Alice.

At one point, Alice, in a fit of pubescent dramatics, dubs the summer between eighth and ninth grade the worst summer ever. I'm normally against hyperbole, but I have to admit that our every-girl heroine sure has a lot of issues thrown at her in these two hundred pages.

Alice, Pamela and Elizabeth decide they need to get in shape for high school and commit themselves to a low-calorie, high-exercise regimen. Alice, forever the realist, doesn't take any of it too seriously. Elizabeth, on the other hand, who has always been the quiet and sensitive one, begins to take losing weight too far. She soon veers alarmingly close to eating disorder territory, and gives Alice -- and the reader -- a lesson in body image and self-confidence.

Pamela's life essentially implodes in this one too. Her mother is currently shacked up in Colorado with her NordicTrack instructor boyfriend, leaving Pamela alone with her moody, aloof father. Her troubled relationship with her dad culminates in her attempt to "run away", in which she really ends up hiding in Alice's room. Alice's attempt to protect Pamela, and hide her from both their dads as well as the police, ends up completely blowing up in her face. She ends up grounded with her dad more angry at her than ever before. Alice always tends to do the 'right thing', so it was kind of refreshing to see her make a really poor decision and face the consequences.

Alice and her new friend Gwen start candy-striping at the local hospital, and Alice loves finding herself relied upon in a professional context. It is her first taste of real responsibility, and she gains some confidence as well as experience. Her enjoyment is marred by the sudden passing of Mrs. Plotkin, her favorite former teacher. This is the biggest loss Alice has experienced in her living memory, and her grief and confusion are totally appropriate and relatable:

"I...I'm sorry," I said, my face all scrunched up, puffy and feverish. "I don't know what's the matter with me. It's as though she were part of the family."

"I think she was, Al," Dad said quietly. "I think she came closest, maybe, to being a mother for you for a while. You never did, you know, really get a chance to grieve for your mom; you were too young to understand the finality of it. I think it's a fine thing that you loved Mrs. Plotkin so much. If you didn't, you wouldn't miss her so much now."

These are the little moments that set the series apart from all the other middle-graders, and one of the reason I still love re-reading them so much. The quiet meaningful moments end up sticking with me much more than the high dramatics.

Random observations:

I love Lester so much more this time around. I remember not liking him very much when I first read these books, and now I think I can relate to him better than I can relate to Alice. I wonder if I go back and read these books in another ten years I'll identify with Alice's dad the most.
Alice also formally introduces herself to her vulva in this one, via a hand-mirror. Actual quote:
"Well," I said to my privates, "nice to meet you!"

Some serious foreshadowing with the subtle introduction of Penny, Alice's future rival-in-love. She should have suspected something was up when Patrick referred to her as having "personality and pizzazz"...what does that even mean, Patrick.
Speaking of dated language -- this is the first time it was really noticeable to me. "Doggone on it" is not something the next generation says, but I can't hold it against Naylor who was born in 1933 (!!).

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer has come again and Alice and her friends are determined not to let it go to waste. Unfortunately, things aren't working out as well as they'd like.

Elizabeth has basically stopped eating because she feels "fat", Pamela has some major family issues, and Alice is sad that she's getting left behind while Lester and her dad go off traveling. To make matters worse, she and her dad had an awful argument.

I really do love Alice. I read books 1-12 multiple times growing up. Alice was a safe place for me to understand my own experiences.

I'm excited to continue on. I've never read the rest of this series, so I'm thrilled to see what it brings.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The summer starts with the girls deciding they need to get in shape for high school. They go running every morning and swear off sweets but Elizabeth seems to be taking the weight loss too seriously. The girls love to take magazine quizzes and go to a seminar on loving their bodies, no matter what the shape or size. Some scary and sad things happen too as the girls continue to grow up and have to face more adult challenges. Also Alice starts to really act like a teenager and scream and cry all the time. Isn't that a fun time for everyone.

[Knobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice and her friends realize that they're about to enter high school with the same bodies they've always had, and embark on a mission to get in shape over the summer. Elizabeth goes a little too far. Pamela's life implodes. Alice becomes a volunteer at the local hospital. Alice loses someone she loves.

Book takes place: Summer before 9th grade.
Alice's life lessons: Normal, normal, normal. Our bodies are all normal.
Best Alice moment(s): Eva Mecuri's outfits; Alice's grounding; Code blue 517; Alice's first funeral she can remember; introduction to Penny; Ben & Sylvia 4EVER

I feel like this is when the book series starts to get a little more serious. Elizabeth's forays into an eating disorder were a little textbook for my taste, but it (and the For Girls Only seminar that the 3 best friends attend) were a pretty light-handed PSA/after-school special for impressionable young readers. I always like PRN's messages of positivity and education in her Alice books.

[Karly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library book sale find. Really unfortunate title. I read several books in this series as a kid so I picked this one up. It…doesn’t really hold up lol although there are still some good parts.

[Kricket · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 12. pamela & elizabeth talk alice into a summer of dieting and exercise, which elizabeth takes too far. lester dates a scarily materialistic woman. alice & gwen volunteer at the hospital, and alice says goodbye to a dear friend.

i love lester.

[Fierymermaidbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice is growing up! I can’t believe this is the last middle school Alice book! This series is such a quick, fun read! This book focuses a lot on body image which is important for young readers to learn about. I love how this one showed that you can still eat and be healthy because a lot of people think they have to look a certain way. One thing about these books though is that I always get hungry reading them because Alice is always cooking or baking something delicious! I love how we see the girls starting jobs and taking quizzes! Oh and Ben finally visited Sylvia in England!😍

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The girls are really starting to grow up. Not that there's even more boy talk, or even that there's more career vs. family talk, but that they're starting to think more carefully about ppl besides themselves.

I didn't know it was a thing to get a permit to get a job when you turn 14, did you? Heck, I didn't even have a job until I was 18, and that was just seasonal of course, before college. I think it's great the kids have jobs, though, to keep them out of mischief and give them some life management skills.

Alice finally gets an email address and a hand-me-down desktop PC. I wonder what it would be like reading these as fast as they came out and waiting until Alice caught up to you....

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best yet in the series. Not only does it mention my town, Frederick, twice, which is SO rare, it is also even more relatable than usual. Gosh... My own summer before high school was spent running (around two miles a day) and gradually eating less and less without once realizing I was being unhealthy. Just like Elizabeth... That behavior eventually led to the opposite, overeating, and I've gained all the weight back and then some. This summer, I want to lose weight again. There is definitely a lot of pressure to have perfect bodies. Also, Pamela's strained relationship with her dad is something I can relate to. Like her, it caused me a lot of unhappiness.
I'm so glad Lester broke up with Eva in the end. He ended things with Marilyn for that crazy girl?? Maybe this will teach him how great Marilyn was.
When Alice hid Pamela at her house and got in trouble with her dad, I really felt the emotions of all the characters and understood each point of view. Also exciting.
The saddest thing was when Mrs. Plotkin died. I almost cried. It's definitely comforting to have an adult like that close by. It's weird, because I remember reading about her dying before but not about anything else that happened in this book. It makes me wonder where I really stopped when I read this series for the first time years ago. I'm so glad I'm rereading because there's a lot I didn't catch fully the first time.
Some serious topics in this book, handled very well and with a lot of entertainment. I currently run 3 miles a day, just like Alice and her friends, but in the evening.
Also - Mr. McKinley (Alice's dad) is finally engaged to Miss Summers!

[Melody Loomis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but think that a lot has changed for Alice and her friends since sixth grade. Pamela fights with her father. Elizabeth is concerned about her weight. Alice is often the one trying to help her friends solve their problems.

Mrs. Plotkin makes an appearance again. Lester is involved with someone new. Alice's dad is going to visit Miss Summers in England. Don't won't to spoil anything but a lot of big changes in this book.

On to the next one in the series!

[Celinda Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I read this one I always enjoy it. The story is a little slow because there's a lot of character and world building that's needed to transition the girls from middle to high school. If you liked the Alice middle school years but aren't sure if you'll like the high school year books then this is a good book to test yourself on. Personally I love every book in this series and will continue to read this one again and again.

[Marilena Turquoise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fresh and cheesy one. This one is more about accepting yourself and your body and I was surprised cause this was written in an era when everyone would feel less than. Little spoiler; I loved the ending where it highlights that you can have the entire beauty in the world yet feel so lonely and the finale where it reminds us that life always offers second chances.

[Hammah Pheasant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't honestly give a number of stars rating, or say I remember much exactly about what happens in this book. But I remember, like 12/ 13 years old I rented this book from the library, knew nothing of the series or even that there was a series. I just remember that this book lowkey left me disturbed. It went on my try to forget I ever read it list so fast.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice, Pamela, and Elizabeth decide to get into shape for the start of ninth grade. Lester sees a new girl, Eva, who appears to be the ideal woman. Alice sheds loads of tears this summer. Theres a lot of body positivity near the end of the book that greatly applies to modern times.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s dated, and I kind of hated most of the body image stuff. But there are lovely gems here, Mrs. Plotkin and Pamela’s storyline among them. You can see the footprints being left for Wlizabeth’s revelation later in the series.

[Chandni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid Alice book dealing with a lot of complex issues.

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great description of how young girls struggle with self-image and confidence, and how variety is normal, and normal is good.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Alice series as a kid. Still fun to read even as an adult.

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one hit home!

[Sophia s · Rating 5 out of 5]

diet culture then was so sad, like it's still around obviously but it then was heartbreaking

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one definitely had me crying

[Kay-Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The nostalgia of this series ❤️

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, particularly Alice’s experience of grief and how she responded to Mrs. Plotkin’s death.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long live Alice!

December 2012 reread.
October 2019 reread.
September 2023 reread.

I remember when this was a hardcover on the new shelf at the library, and how much the cover art made me laugh – the jogging scene between the three girls is a classic Alice moment. This may have been the first “new“ Alice book for me, as I began reading them around 1999.

I have reread the first 12 Alice books in the last two weeks, and this is the first book to have several continuity discrepancies. In the last three or four books Alice’s age when she lost her mother has been described as either four or five, and the three girls are described as being best friends since sixth grade, when actually, in The Agony of Alice, Alice is friendly with Elizabeth and has a rivalry with Pamela- I don’t think the three of them have a single scene together. Patrick has also been described as her boyfriend since sixth grade, when they actually didn’t date at all during seventh grade.

In The Grooming of Alice, there are some larger discrepancies. When Alice speaks with Mrs. Plotkin, they talk about how Alice, Pamela, and Patrick were all in her class together – but Patrick was in Miss Cole’s class. Also, Alice met Mr. Plotkin when she visited Mrs. Plotkin in the hospital in Alice In-Between, but when she hears a nurse speaking to a man about Mrs. Plotkin in this book, she says to herself, “so that was Mr. Plotkin!” When Jill and Karen were first introduced in the earring club in All but Alice, Jill is described as slim and Karen as being “on the heavy side”, and yet in this book Karen is referred to as “Karen, who has been slim all her life”, and talks about how hard it is for her and the women in her family to gain any weight.

This book is the introduction of Penny (she works at the ice cream shop that the gang frequents) and Eva as Lester’s new girlfriend (their relationship runs it’s course in this book).

[Emma M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes it is difficult for me to separate my love for this series as a whole from my feelings concerning each individual novel.

This book addressed the important theme of learning to accept and love the body you were born into. The teenage years are so rough when it comes to self-image. This is made all the tougher with the persistent bombardment from the media telling you what you need to be better and pointing out each one of your flaws. I don't see that changing anytime soon so it's important for books like these to be around. This book really embraces womanhood and all of our different shapes and sizes which I love.

There were some awkward moments, one of which involved a hand-mirror. The good news is that it was all very informative while being entertaining. So many parents feel uncomfortable discussing some of these issues and let's face it, it's no cake-walk for the kids either. I definitely think I will encourage any daughters I have to read the Alice series and this book in particular because Alice is written in such a way that you feel like she is a friend discovering all these different aspects of life alongside you.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a dramatic summer for Alice and her friends! After a mean comment at a pool party, Elizabeth begins to exercise too much and eat too little. Pamela has a fight with her dad that not only gets her in trouble, but also Alice. The disagreements between Pamela and her father become so awful that Pamela decides to move to Colorado with her mother.

Meanwhile, Alice has begun volunteering at the hospital as a candy striper and crosses paths with her favorite teacher Mrs. Plotkin who is suffering heart trouble.

Lots of tears in this book and LOTS of body talk. Alice and her friends attend a seminar that encourages them to familiarize themselves with their female anatomy. It is all well written, but this series has ended up on the top ten Banned Books list for many years running and these conversations about bodies and sex are often the reasons cited for challenges.

Recommended for teen girls grades 9 and up.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the summer between 8th and 9th grade, and Alice and her friends have decided to start exercising every morning. Alice and Pamela want to feel healthy, but Elizabeth wants to lose weight. Her boyfriend made a comment about she's become chubby, and now Elizabeth can't focus on anything but losing 15 pounds.

So many other things happen in this book as well. Mrs. Plotkin is admitted into the hospital, Pamela runs away from home, Lester starts dating a new woman, and Alice's dad travels to England to visit Ms. Summers.

One of the stronger books in the series because many things happen in this book. Mrs. Plotkin passes away (I cried a bunch), Alice's dad gets engaged, and Elizabeth's behavior sends warning signs of anorexia to her friends and family.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child me: 5 stars
Adult me: 4 stars

*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group, except for kids reading erotica or something, of course.*

--

Another topic Phyllis handled wonderfully in her Alice series.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a few milestones, it was one of the longest Alice books so far at 200 pages, and also one of the saddest. I read this on my way back from a wedding in about an hour and change. Major things happen to Alice in this book: We get to know her brother Lester's new girlfriend, a development occurs in the romance between her father and her English teacher, her friend suffers from an eating disorder, and worst of all, Alice suffers a huge personal loss. This book was definitely a stand out volume. I look forward to the next few!!

[Janine Darragh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate the series and the frankness with which Naylor addresses real-life issues of young girls. That said, I just don't like the writing, and the language of the characters feels so forced to me. With regards to the eating disorder-- I believe it is over-simplified. Elizabeth loses ridiculous amounts of weight in just 3 weeks, then after some heart-to-hearts with her friends and a day-long workshop on Girl Power, she seemingly has overcome it. Also, it reads like a how-to-almost-be-anorexic manual, in my opinion.