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Alice #5
Alice in April
Alice in Charge It all starts when Aunt Sally reminds Alice that now that she's about to turn thirteen, she's the Woman of the House. Alice has always assumed that her father and her older brother, Lester, were there to take care of her. How can she possibly take care of them? Alice's attempts to take charge of her household lead to one problem after another, culminating in a disastrous surprise birthday party for her father. And things aren't much better at school, where the seventh-grade boys are evaluating the girls in a way that has Alice and her friends pretty nervous. Alice doesn't think life can get any more complicated -- until a totally unexpected event shows her how wrong she is.
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 1993
20 people are currently reading
741 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
245 books1,035 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 96 reviews
June 18, 2012
I remember crying over this book because it dealt with the topic of suicide in a high school setting that young girls can understand and empathize with. The "Alice" series is great because it is funny, interesting, and a lot of fun, but also because it teaches those difficult lessons in a really comprehensive way that suits the target audience.
March 14, 2012
After I read this book, I felt like Alice was my best friend! The way this book is written is so wonderful that Alice and her friends and families just come alive. This book is about the struggles of being an adolescent girl in a household of boys. She struggles with feeling like a woman and gaining respect from her father and brother. She wants to feel like a grown-up, but fears it will never happen. I read this book over and just because it feels like visiting an old friend!
August 16, 2018
I wonder: if these were around when I was a young teen, would I have saved myself years of agony ( ;) trying to be such a capable Woman of the House? Or would I have become exasperated (along with Alice) in time to choose to have a career instead? Speaking of which, it seems unlikely that *none* of these 7th-graders have any sort of clue what they might want to do with their lives. I don't even know what that Lester is up to! I guess I'll have to keep reading the series....
July 5, 2025
I considered this the weakest among the series so far. Wasn't funny or gave you the warm and fuzzy feeling inside
Alice trying to be Woman of the House while at the same time planning a surprise bday party for her dad. Alice fretting over what state the boys at school will call her
Meh
Alice trying to be Woman of the House while at the same time planning a surprise bday party for her dad. Alice fretting over what state the boys at school will call her
Meh
November 8, 2012
When I was about 8 or 9 (or perhaps younger) I saw the book Alice in April in my grandmother's library and thought it looked interesting. I didn't check it out, though, because at the time my mother essentially governed my book choices. I was right in doubting I'd be allowed to read this; I'm sure my mother wouldn't have been thrilled by boob-obsessed Alice whose brother advises her how to insult boys by insulting their testicles. :P
Miraculously, the title of this book has stuck in my mind for years, and now that I am a liberated reader (and have been for quite some time) I realized, "Why not read the book [and the rest of the series] now?"
I don't know why it took me so long to realize that I could (and should) read the series. It's certainly not a choice I've regretted.
Miraculously, the title of this book has stuck in my mind for years, and now that I am a liberated reader (and have been for quite some time) I realized, "Why not read the book [and the rest of the series] now?"
I don't know why it took me so long to realize that I could (and should) read the series. It's certainly not a choice I've regretted.
July 23, 2012
Alice endeavors to take on the role of Woman of the House, though the job proves to be a bit too much for a 12 year old. I think hormones are starting to kick in during the 2nd half of Alice's 7th grade year as she spends a large part of the book crying over one thing or the other. Though, a truly tragic event (suicide) takes place near the end of the book that deserves a year's worth of tears and then some. Probably not my favorite book in the series, but it moved the saga of Alice along some.
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June 2, 2025Naylor captures a young girl's perspective so well. This book made me cry.
November 21, 2020
Another enjoyable episode from Alice!
July 13, 2017
This was one of the most serious of the Alice books, what with what happened at the end.
It was entertaining to watch Alice's struggles to become "woman of the house" since she's almost 13. Oh Alice. Her efforts are respectable.
The part where all the boys name girls after states based on their chest size... that was crazy for me to think of seventh-grade boys having the nerve to do that. Certainly never would've been allowed at my school. I can understand Alice's curiosity and eagerness to be named, though, despite how anti-feminist that reaction may sound. I guess the author didn't think too many people would disapprove, since this was written in a different time period or something?
Alice's first physical was interesting to read about and I remember being terrified back when I first read about it in elementary/middle school.
It's fun to watch Alice's dad falling more in love with Miss Summers. Miss Summers is so much better than Miss Cole, that other pretty lady teacher whom Alice idolized in sixth grade.
Oh, Denise Whitlock... Alice's friendship with her was short-lived but it leaves a profound impact. Because of her abusive mother and uncaring father, Denise steps in front of a train and kills herself. What a somber ending to the story (not counting the hot-air balloon ride that Alice's dad goes on with Miss Summers - life goes on, I guess). Denise was definitely a powerful addition to the story, showing how bullies are often shaped by factors such as issues at home.
It was entertaining to watch Alice's struggles to become "woman of the house" since she's almost 13. Oh Alice. Her efforts are respectable.
The part where all the boys name girls after states based on their chest size... that was crazy for me to think of seventh-grade boys having the nerve to do that. Certainly never would've been allowed at my school. I can understand Alice's curiosity and eagerness to be named, though, despite how anti-feminist that reaction may sound. I guess the author didn't think too many people would disapprove, since this was written in a different time period or something?
Alice's first physical was interesting to read about and I remember being terrified back when I first read about it in elementary/middle school.
It's fun to watch Alice's dad falling more in love with Miss Summers. Miss Summers is so much better than Miss Cole, that other pretty lady teacher whom Alice idolized in sixth grade.
Oh, Denise Whitlock... Alice's friendship with her was short-lived but it leaves a profound impact. Because of her abusive mother and uncaring father, Denise steps in front of a train and kills herself. What a somber ending to the story (not counting the hot-air balloon ride that Alice's dad goes on with Miss Summers - life goes on, I guess). Denise was definitely a powerful addition to the story, showing how bullies are often shaped by factors such as issues at home.
September 15, 2014
I have to take a minute to have a mini rant - why the hell am I reading words like "Harry Potter" and "DVD" in a book that was written in 1993?!? It pisses me off. This book was written in the early 90s. That's part of the charm! Dear Reprinters - don't steal the charm! There is no need to "update" something. Kids are smart, they don't need books changed with crap like this. It totally detracts from the story because it doesn't fit.
Okay, rant over. Thank you for listening.
This is a more serious Alice book, as it deals with some especially hard topics, such as suicide. I'm glad that Naylor tackled this topic. It's hard but important.
I hate the whole girls as states thing. It's pretty dumb, which is also why 13 year-old boys would probably think to do it.
I love Alice going to get her first physical. When I read these as a teenager, it was comforting to me to watch Alice go through embarrassing moments first. It helped me feel better.
As usual, great story!
Okay, rant over. Thank you for listening.
This is a more serious Alice book, as it deals with some especially hard topics, such as suicide. I'm glad that Naylor tackled this topic. It's hard but important.
I hate the whole girls as states thing. It's pretty dumb, which is also why 13 year-old boys would probably think to do it.
I love Alice going to get her first physical. When I read these as a teenager, it was comforting to me to watch Alice go through embarrassing moments first. It helped me feel better.
As usual, great story!
December 2, 2014
Alice In April is a book about a young girl named Alice, her brother Lester, and her dad. Since Alice's aunt Sally told her she is the "Woman of the House", Alice has done everything she thought her mother, who died, would have done. She tries to handle her family by herself but then realizes she doesn't have to do all the work by herself because they were a family. I liked the book because it is very interesting, easy to understand, and it goes along with the young age. It tells the struggles that adolescents and teenagers have today in their life.
August 5, 2011
This book flew by so quickly. While I enjoyed my read I found the ending to be a little too much. I would have liked the subject of suicide to be in a separate book. It was too rushed and just sort of thrown in there. While this isn't my favorite of the series I do think it does add something to the group.
September 28, 2012
Alice lives with her dad and 20-yr-old brother. Her mom died when she was four. Alice's aunt says Alice will be the "Woman of the House" now that she's about to turn thirteen. Can Alice handle the responsibility? This book deals with several important issues pertaining to preteens and the amusing way kids handle them.
December 2, 2009
The one I remember the best from growing up--still good! However, there is a really sad event at the end that I had forgotten--this installment definitely takes the book into deeper emotional territory.
February 3, 2008
I was so shocked when I found out about Denise! It actually made me cry!
September 29, 2009
book 5. in which alice, acting on aunt sally's misguided advice that she be "woman of the house," throws a terrible birthday party for her father.
July 25, 2008
This is a stressful book that made me kind of go and help her.
May 10, 2011
Woah, where did that ending come from? It seemed pretty heavy for a series that has been pretty lighthearted all along. And then the tragedy seemed to be glossed over pretty quickly.
August 15, 2011
#8 in the series. Alice wants to be the "woman of the house", now that she's almost 13, befriends her old bully enemy, and plans her dad's 50th birthday party.
July 12, 2013
This book got a little boring in the middle. There was a big surprise in the end though. I feel like the Book was a little rushed and not finished. Over all I think the book was ok.
September 27, 2025
The nostalgia of this series ❤️ I forgot how quickly this series tackles tough topics.
September 15, 2021
Alice in April is one of my favorite Alice books! The big storyline is Alice planning a 50th birthday party for her dad. Though Alice puts such a premium on growing up and being more mature, the party planning is far more than I would be able to do at thirteen. She definitely cooked more than I did on a regular basis, but a whole steak dinner for a dozen people is a lot!
So many memorable moments in this book like the boys naming the girls after states. I do wonder if this was based on someone's real life because it seems exactly like something middle school boys would do. There's no way the guys were flipping through topographical maps like Alice so who knows what their logic was behind most of the choices.
Though I've always loved Alice's investment in her dad and Sylvia's relationship, as an adult I see how it put teenage Alice in bad position. Her dad was dating her current teacher, she obsessed about them getting engaged, included her in family celebrations. It seems like so many lines were crossed and Alice's dad usually seems so conscious of her feelings.
A sad moment takes place in this book that puts Alice's life into perspective and it's handled well. The book ends with the letter Alice wrote to her 6o year old self in the time capsule and it's nice to know that the capsule will be revealed at the end of the series.
So many memorable moments in this book like the boys naming the girls after states. I do wonder if this was based on someone's real life because it seems exactly like something middle school boys would do. There's no way the guys were flipping through topographical maps like Alice so who knows what their logic was behind most of the choices.
Though I've always loved Alice's investment in her dad and Sylvia's relationship, as an adult I see how it put teenage Alice in bad position. Her dad was dating her current teacher, she obsessed about them getting engaged, included her in family celebrations. It seems like so many lines were crossed and Alice's dad usually seems so conscious of her feelings.
A sad moment takes place in this book that puts Alice's life into perspective and it's handled well. The book ends with the letter Alice wrote to her 6o year old self in the time capsule and it's nice to know that the capsule will be revealed at the end of the series.
May 8, 2023
This is the sweetest series! I swear that the author was a pre-teen when she wrote this. She has those emotions, thoughts and fears of a 12 going on 13 year-old girl just right. In this book Aunt Sally reminds Alice that she will soon be 13 and the woman of the house (Alice's mother died when she was 4 and she lives with her father and 20 year-old brother Lester). Aunt Sally gives her a list of things that the woman of the house takes care of and Alice is off and running. But how do you go about scheduling furnace duct cleaning? And how do you do spring cleaning? Dad and Lester are oblivious to her efforts. But she can have a dinner party for her dad's birthday- only it doesn't turn out completely right either. Meanwhile, the imaginative boys in Alice's class are giving the girls the names of states according to the girl's shape. What state does Alice want? Maybe Florida? She asks Lester what he thinks of when he thinks of Florida and he says swamps. If Alice gets that state she might hide in her room forever! Or worse, what if they give her no state at all? This is a very amusing book but there is a thread of reality and sadness in it regarding a girl Alice knows.
September 11, 2017
In this book, Alice tries her hardest to be "woman of the house", but everything she does seems to result in disaster. It's hard growing up, but I would imagine really hard for a girl if you didn't have a mother.
My favorite chapter in this book was "Loving Lester", in which Alice decides, after being really mean to her brother all the time, that she will attempt to be nicer to him. She decides that if Lester was really sick and was going to die, then she would be nice to him. So she pretends that Lester only has four days to live. That scene had me cracking up!
But in all serious, and I won't spoil it, but something really shocking happened at the end of the book. You know something serious and bad is going on in Denise's house, but I was still surprised by what happened. It kind of hit close though, as I know a student in middle school who knows a friend who is going through something similar.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book to see what kinds of things Alice will get into next!
My favorite chapter in this book was "Loving Lester", in which Alice decides, after being really mean to her brother all the time, that she will attempt to be nicer to him. She decides that if Lester was really sick and was going to die, then she would be nice to him. So she pretends that Lester only has four days to live. That scene had me cracking up!
But in all serious, and I won't spoil it, but something really shocking happened at the end of the book. You know something serious and bad is going on in Denise's house, but I was still surprised by what happened. It kind of hit close though, as I know a student in middle school who knows a friend who is going through something similar.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book to see what kinds of things Alice will get into next!
December 7, 2018
This is the first book I have read of the Alice series and overall I enjoyed it. Alice is ready to become the women of the house because her aunt says she will be ready once she turns thirteen. She is a typical teenage girl, but one thing is her mom died so she lives with her dad ans 20 yr old brother. This book deals with several important issues pertaining to preteens and the amusing way kids handle them. Alice lives with a family of boys so she can not relate to others girls who have girls to talk to. Alice does not seem to like her family but throughout the book she talks to others and they tell her that their home life's are not all that good either. Their is this one incident at the end(suicide) that was just randomly just thrown in there and I think that got some other readers jumping. Overall I liked this book but I felt it went a little to fast just repeating the same events that already happened throughout the book, but overall a not to bad book.
October 27, 2021
I didn't like this book as much as the other ones from this series. Alice becomes the woman of the house, we see her cooking, helping with the housework and wishing she could have a mom. It turns out that Denise's life wasn't as cool as it looked and even Alice realizes she has a lot to be grateful about when it comes to her family. The story doesn't progress a lot (in the first 130 pages) and then comes the suicide part before the end, after hypothetical scenarios around the topic of death in Alice and Lesters' heads. I didn't like the way suicide was treated as a topic in this book, it shouldn't have come in the end and it is naturally a very sensitive topic, I had expected it to be treated with more respect.
October 26, 2019
I think it's a great read for pre-teen women. If you have a young lady who doesn't like to read, HAVE HER READ THIS SERIES. This is the first book of the series that I've read. I think this will definitely grab a lady's attention and make her want to read a whole lot more! Learning about the male anatomy!?!?!? What can be more interesting than that! Got to love it, young ones!
I'm all for banning books. What's more likel to get someone to read a book? Raving about it or banning it?
Case closed.
I'm all for banning books. What's more likel to get someone to read a book? Raving about it or banning it?
Case closed.
November 16, 2019
I like how lighthearted and easy to read this book was. Took me longer than I planned because of being a full time college student, but these books are such quick reads. I was a little surprised by a topic at the end and how suddenly it came up then how quick it was over? It did hurt and it did make me set the book down to really take a moment to think about what had happened. I understand the intended audience of this book, but it was kind of crazy just how quickly it was over. I don’t know, my only real complaint though. These books have been fun to read.
April 26, 2020
Prenda de uma amiga minha quando mudei de casa, valeu as duas horas que passei deitada no sofá a rir e a observar o pensamento de uma rapariga de 12 anos e os seus dilemas da adolescência em tornar-se supostamente "a mulher da casa".
Gracejos à parte, o livro reflete um pouco sobre a questão do papel feminino no lar, sendo que no final conclui que o cuidar do lar não é uma tarefa somente do domínio das mulheres, mas sim de todo k agregado familiar.
Há algum tempo que não lia uma obra infanto-juvenil , sendo que mudar de ares soube bem, mesmo muito bem!
Obrigada, Soraia. ❤️
Gracejos à parte, o livro reflete um pouco sobre a questão do papel feminino no lar, sendo que no final conclui que o cuidar do lar não é uma tarefa somente do domínio das mulheres, mas sim de todo k agregado familiar.
Há algum tempo que não lia uma obra infanto-juvenil , sendo que mudar de ares soube bem, mesmo muito bem!
Obrigada, Soraia. ❤️
August 6, 2017
I always remembered this as one of my favorite Alice books, but I can't exactly pinpoint why? Anyway, shocking enough I forgot how one of the plotlines that threads through this book is how the 7th grade boys are naming the 7th grade girls after states, in accordance with their personal topography. Whaaaaaaat in the world. I love this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews