I Like Him, He Likes Her

Alice #13-15

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Find a Penny pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck…except, of course, if that Penny is charming and pretty and funny, and the person picking her up just happens to be your boyfriend. Alice McKinley’s freshman year is not as “lucky” as she was hoping it would be. But she’s is trying to look on the bright side. There are worse things than being single for a semester… for a school year…for the whole summer…. At least Alice can count on her best friends for support—in theory, anyway. Lately they haven’t been all that there-for-her. In fact, it seems like Pam and Liz are suddenly involved in intense, secret conversations whenever Alice is around.

Single is starting to feel a whole lot like solo.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Chick Lit, Teen, High School

640 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2010

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

[Savanahs · Rating 5 out of 5]

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This book has a good lesson to girls, your life shouldn't revolve around boys. Alice McKinley (narrator of the book) is a girl who worries about love, if she'll ever find true love, if her father will always love her "soon-to-be" stepmother, Sylvia Summers, if her 22 Year old brother, Lester (alice and her dad call him Les) will ever get another girlfriend who wont be like his ex-girlfriend, Eva, who apparently was a terrible girlfriend, and many other things. Alice has just started her 9th grade school year and everything is going smoothly. Alice has a boyfriend named Patrick who seems to be liking the new girl "penny" but Alice thinks shes overly worried that patrick likes penny better than her till one day they get in a fight about penny and break up. Patrick seems to not care and just goes for Penny, of corse she goes for him, Who wouldn't -as Alice says, he's hot. But there she was single. After 1 year of dating Patrick she starts to feel alone. Her two best friends, Elizabeth and Pamela, are starting to slip away from her after having a fight about extra school activities. Alice seems to be making more friends, Gwen, Faith, Eric, and a few more. But there are two questions, Will her true friends come back? And Will she ever find love?


This book is an amazing book! I feel like I can relate to the characters but still learn from them. I think Alice is a honest, down-to-earth type of girl who will do anything for her friends. I think this book described high school perfectly, even though I'm not yet in high school, I still hear the same things from my older sister from Alice. I like to read about adventures Alice and her friends do that I haven't yet got to, but yes, this book is that typical dramatic high school love life story, which in this book isn't really a 'love life' at all. This book is part of a huge series of books. This isn't the first book in the "Alice Series" but I would read books that were made after this book but I don't think I'd read any before. I would defiantly recommend this book to a girl in my class, this book has made me a little more excited and ready for the future.

[Alexia:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely one of my favorites so far! I think the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because it is very relatable to me and most girls my age. It's the typical "I really like him but he likes somebody else" deal. Then it ends up in you being so jealous of that "somebody else" and it from THAT it turns into a huge mess! And just like in Alice's case, there are always your really good friends who tell you something like "yeah they were sitting and flirting with each other at the movies" just to make you feel SO MUCH BETTER THAN YOU ALREADY DID! Ha ha! In general though this story also had good advice and made me realize that everything that seems like a big deal now, won't matter at all in the long run. Even though Alice suffered when her boyfriend Patrick and Penny (the girl who seems likes she's just PERFECT) started to like each other, she constantly kept trying to tell herself to get over it. One thing Alice and I have in common is that we are both really sensitive so it's a little bit harder to fake a smile- a lot of people seem to be excellent at doing that! I was constantly twisted in the love dilemma throughout the book and wondered who would end up with who! Because like most teenagers, everything that happens is unpredictable- especially when it comes to rumors! The rumors in Alice's school start like the ones at our school do too! Little and stupid things that somebody totally misinterpreted yet before you know it, it ends up spreading like butter until you realize that whatever comes back to you isn't true at all! I guess in some sense though, all schools are like that in a way. I feel that Alice and I are alike in many more ways though so it made this book more entertaining to read! After I finished this book, it made me that much more anxious to read the next one! Messed up friends and relationships seem so much better when I'm not the one in the middle of it!(:

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

So when i picked this book off the shelf i have to admit. I judged the book by its cover, as well as it title. So simply yet it really protrayed a typical teenage problem. I was unaware however that this was a book in a series and that there was at least a dozen other books before it. Unfortunatly, i was on vacation and had no other books to read a figured i would give it a go. AS soon as i began reading it i felt like i had read the whole series and wasnt missing out on much. The author does a wonderful job of cathing you up in the past novels and keeping the characters the same but each story different. This book fit perfectly with my beach vacation simply because it was such a light read, which to me means no overly serious topics and mostly covered friends and high school relationships. I really loved the character of alice because she seemed to handle things so diferent from how a normal teenager would. Especially with her and patricks breakup and how she actually managed to be friends with Penny, PAtricks new girl. I found that sorta inspiring since, i am not sure i would be able to do that myself. Even though the death of the mom in the family is sorta a typical story line, i think it was just enough to give the dad a romance but not hit you over the head with it. All in all, i think the book was quite good, but it goes better with a lounge chair and a beach, like most books hehe. :)

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Full Review On http://thegraduatedbookworm.blogspot.ca/
It wasn't a totally bad book, but I guess because Alice is so young, she just seemed like that annoying little sister everyone can't stand. she seemed very immature throughout the book constantly thinking about herself and what would happen if certain things went one way, how it would affect her.

I think at the end if the book she finally realised that it's not totally all about Alice and that she also touched others in a different way when she went to camp overlook.
I'm curious what Alice will be up to next year.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

In an effort to read the oldest books on my shelf, I am trying to read one of these Alice books each month. I feel like I read part of this book when I was a teenager. I loved this series when I was younger and I think today’s teens would find them to be out of date, no one has cell phones or social media. Reading these has been a cute blast from the past.

[Brianna Wade · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this book an couldn't finished it. I don't know if it was because of how young the Alice McKinley is or how whiny she was but I wasn't amazed.

[Kamdyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly have no idea what this book was about. It was about a girl's life...I think.
I didn't like this book. It dragged on way too long and I had no idea what was going on half of the time.

[Tess Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a simple book about a girl and her high school journey. I like that it addressed some real issues and did so in a gentle, but authentic way.

[Oveira Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about romance and the real life problems a teenagers faces on an everyday basis. If you love gossip, drama, and romance this is the ideal book for you. I like this book because it is a young adult book that everyone can find interesting. It talks about how Patrick and the Alice break-up and how she takes it. I also liked this book because the characters are mature, but not mature at the same time.
This book is also a lesson to girls and gives lessons or advice about girls of school, love, dating, sex, and friends. This book really introduces the problems a teenage girl faces and has to hear. Alice and her family are very connected in a way she does not feel embarrassed about talking about her girl problems with her dad and/or brother. This book is the best book you will ever read. You might get emotional, but it is worth the drama you read.<3 :0 ;)

[Cam Garza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so first off I just have to tell youthat Alice is a major crybaby and she is (kind of) bipolar so, if you hate people crying over stupid things or super fast mood swings then this isn't your book.


So this was the story of Alice's life in her freshman year, actually they were 3 books in one, and through out this 3 books, Alice broke up with her boyfriend (or did he broke up with her? I still don't know), she learned to actually do things by herself (can you imagine she thought she couldn't remember how to be single and stick up for herself?), she got initiated in the art of the stage crew, other sha la la la la's, and she was assistant councelor in a camp.

Okay, to me the writing was meh, it wasn't beautiful, it wasn't horrible, though the it did annoyed me when Gwen said "girl-baby", every time she said it I wanted to, I don't know smack her or something, I mean, why can't she just say baby-girl? Or just baby or girl? But besides that it was okay.

Alice simply annoyed me sometimes because a) She cried with every single freaking thing, b) She went with what everyone wanted, you know what I mean? She was a follower and I like characters who are strong and can fend for themselves and they aren't afraid to be just different and c) How she view herself, like if someone popular liked her, she was beautiful but if he dumped her, then she was fat, ugly and, well, not beautiful, and I think you should always feel beautiful no matter what. And sometimes she just baffled me, by how open she was with herself or her questions with her father and brother, like about her period and sex and I don't know other questions like that, I mean, I couldn't talk to my father and brother like that, and then there was this one time when she was at camp and all the boys where at the lake, skinny-dipping and the girls where "casually" strolling by and they sat in the boys clothes, and they where debating what to do with it, like hanging it in the flag pole and some shit like that, when the boys came charging at them... Naked... and threw them in the lake, and then they started a normal conversation, like from where they're from, how old they were and you know, things like that... Do I need to emphasize that the guys where NAKED? So after sometime like that they went to their cabins and after that she didn't think about that again, unless you count thinking about going skinny-dipping again and really all that time I was reading with a horrified expression and thinking WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK JUST HAPPENED? And I was waiting to see if Alice traumatize or something, but surprise surprise, it never came and for like 2 chapters or more I was thinking that something was very wrong with Alice.

Some positive factors where Lester and the second love (or like) interest (Uh, after 1 or 2 weeks of reading this I forgot some details).
Lester because he was so freaking cool, he had good humor and apart from laughing at some stupid shit Alice or her friends said, he was the one that had the fun factor in this book plus he wasn't a douchebag or something, really? He was sweet and caring but he kind of disguised it with all the jokes and stuff but sometimes you got to see that part of Lester.
And 2nd like interest, well, he was sweet, and shy and I think you just wanted to hold him close, like a Teddy Bear (I found it really strange when Alice compared her dad with a Teddy Bear, umm... I don't know where that came from) but better, but the stuttering thing, I didn't like it, it was kind of irritating to read it and I think that a guy doesn't have to be shy (or have stutter) or something for you to like him, I think that if he's sweet and nice and respectful, you are bound to like him.

Anyways, I thing I'll wind up reading the whole serie since a friend of mine bought it and she's willing to lend it to me but not right now, maybe later.

Camila out.
Peace!

[Krysia Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an incredibly easy read. Written more so for middle schoolers, when I bought this book, I didn't get around to it until my senior year and decided I had to read it through. Although an easy read this book is filled with life lessons and things I could relate to. Something to be aware of before reading I Like Him, He Likes Her is that there are twelve books before this one, which I was unaware of when I read this book.

Alice McKinley has finally arrived at her freshman year of high school and feels as if things are finally working out. However after a misunderstood incident at a coed sleepover, her boyfriend, Patrick, dumps her for popular and funny Penny. Next her homework load and school activities becomes too much, leaving her with little time for her best friends. Then her dad's wedding gets postponed when her future aunt becomes very sick. Alice faces the classic drama of a teenager, learning more about herself through each challenge she encounters.

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's style is easy to read and understand from the beginning. She narrates through first-person point of view as Alice. You get to know Alice's character and sort of experience the same struggles she feels when facing her challenges. Naylor uses a very simple vocabulary throughout the book, creating an easy read especially for younger audiences. I was surprised at the enjoyment I received from this book as a high school student. The relatable topics and experiences were what made this book so enjoyable. After finishing I Like Him, He Likes Her I immediately recommended it to my sister in middle school who is encountering many of the same experiences as in the book. I'd recommend this book to any middle school girl.

[Karen Leonardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this book 5 stars because it is a really interesting book. I think that others should read this book because you can learn that you can face and solve many obstacles in your life slowly and steady but don't think too much about them. This book has many life problems that many people can face, like getting a new mother after not having one for years. I personally like this book very much, because the author got straight to the point when I started to read it. It's about a girl named Alice who broke up with her boyfriend of 2 years, now her life is "miserable". I hope you read this book and enjoy it!

[Kelly Beck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book appears to have been written in the 1960s. All the characters are named things like Pamela and George and other parental type names despite the fact that they are supposed to be 15 in 2001. The author throws in random awkward conversations about periods and what not in an effort to be the next Judy Blume, one can only assume. Her characters use very out dated terminology and the book is obviously written by an older woman very out of touch with real life or technology, etc.

[Olivia Hotchkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I'd never read any of the Alice books before, but I didn't feel as though I was missing a lot of information. It was a fun read and kept me occupied for a long time. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an amusing book, but has a lot of learning moments. Can't wait to see what Alice does next!

[Kemore H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book i recommend everyone to read it.It is about this girl who likes this boy but he likes another girl it is really good this is the first book a actully really liked i would rate it BMS!!!!!!! #amustread #readme #shareme #greatbook

[Wendy Hu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, it was an okay book, but it wasted so many pages. You could rip out 300 of the 500 pages and it would still be the same story.

[Anna Felty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, love, love! Flew through it!

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

read this because it was recommended to me. worse than chinese water torture

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Like Him, He Likes Her by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor are the 13th-15th installments of a long line of books called "The Alice Series" by Naylor. The older book series follows a young girl named Alice through her life in middle school and I Like Him, He Likes Her is the first novel in her YA collection which picks up with her main protagonist about to enter her first year in high school. One of the greatest things about Naylor's books is that you are able to pick up any one of them and still follow along without having to read every book in the previous "Alice Series" novels.

This novel is about Alice nervously starting out her first year of high school. She is hopeful because she is going into it with her friends and her boyfriend that she's had in middle school but is still reluctant to start something new. The book is separated into 3 sections: Alone Alice, Simply Alice, and Patiently Alice. It takes the reader through Alice's first year of high school and into the summer and shows the growth and maturity she goes through as a character.

Alice struggles with thoughts of losing her friends and (spoiler alert) actually does lose her boyfriend throughout the course of the story but she continues to grow and learn with change. It is a pretty lengthy book but touches on many important topics with growth and development throughout each section.

There is also mentions of sexual harassment that one of the characters had gone through, although I wish it was talked about a bit more to help some readers that could've gone through something similar to this character. It was mentioned in passing but didn't have the depth it should have had for such an important topic.

Overall, I think this novel definitely fits into the YA literature category as it does tell a compelling and interesting story while also teaching the reader about dealing with growth and change. I think the book would appeal to teen readers especially from its interesting characters, to its witty dialogue, to its great narration as a whole - there's something for everyone to enjoy. I would absolutely recommend this book to students that are just going into high school. I think the protagonist expresses a lot of the same emotions many people feel when starting at a new school for the first time. Having that transition from just being on top in 8th grade and now being at the bottom again. Being unsure of what is to come next at this newer bigger school. I find it would be very helpful and definitely entertaining to readers in that age group.

As far as finding it teachable, I'm not sure it could be taught on its own. I think this would be a great bookshelf novel or recommendation given to students to read in their own free time, especially if they're just starting high school, but otherwise I don't think it needs to be taught.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I Like Him, He Likes Her by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a fictional book that incorporates high school struggles and the life of a teenage girl along with drama and romance. Some information that needs to be known about this book is that the main character Alice McKinley is an average teen who is just starting high school in Silver Springs, Maryland. Alice always has the thought of love. She wonders if she will ever find true love, if her father will always love Alice’s soon to be stepmother, Sylvia, and If her 22 year old brother Lester will ever get a better girlfriend.freshman year turns out not as lucky as she thought it would be. Her boyfriend broke up with her after being together for a year, and she can not count on her best friends anymore after they had gotten in a fight. Throughout the book Alice feels very lonely while the same questions are going through her head. Will her true friends come back? Will she ever love someone again?
There are many reasons as to why I gave this book five stars. One reason is how the book is in first person point of view. It allows the reader to know exactly what Alice is thinking. The reader is able to experience all of the emotions that were at play and made it easier to relate to the main character. For example, “ But it sure hadn’t been an easy fall, watching Patrick and Penny, the “new girl in town”, kissing around the school and doing all the things together that Patrick and I used to do.” From this quote some people may have had the same experience as Alice and that makes this book more relatable. Another reason I enjoyed this book was because of the characterization. The characters all seemed to have their own personalities and that made the book more interesting to read. Alice is an average teen who has quite a bit of struggles and always keeps the reader on their toes with all of her different moods. Lester, Alice’s brother was always fun to read about because of his sense of humor, and Alice’s two friends who were both a little mean and had parent issues, which also made the book more relatable.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed the fictional book I Like Him He Likes Her by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. It was really fun and interesting to read along with it being very relatable. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about high school life, romance, and drama.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

If only I had known about these Alice books growing up. I would have devoured them in middle school! Being in my twenties, however..I couldn't bring myself to fully appreciate all a book like this has to offer.

Comprised of #13-#15 in the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, this collection of stories from Alice's freshman year of high school should be every bit as nonchalant and fun as life as a freshman should be. Reading this at 28, though? The relationships were dull and boring, the dialogue was less than mediocre (imagine reading an elementary novel when you're at high school level), and the deep, parental talks were awkward and weird.

In terms of young adult books, the romance here is nothing to write home about. At times it can even get a bit preachy - which would be off-putting if you were in Alice's shoes.

I dove head first into this book not knowing it was part of a series or that there were so many books ahead of the stories in this one. Luckily, Naylor writes as if you had been following all along so I never felt lost. Unfortunately, just because I could follow the story line doesn't mean I found myself getting lost with the characters. Alice annoyed me and I can't pinpoint one reason why. She came across as immature. She was whiny. Maybe it was the fact that she had more things going on than I did at fifteen - maybe I was just jealous? These girls are having co-ed sleepovers and talking about sex so often you'll be wondering if it really was written for young adults. The plot doesn't really exist. There's a lot going on - subplots mixed with other plot points that don't affect the other. Rather than putting this in a series it would have been better off labeled as a composition of life stories. It was dull and boring and by the end I didn't care how things ended up or didn't end up.

If you don't mind crybabies who try to take on a role of a heroine, this book will be right up your alley.

[Emaleigh Zschoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Like Him, He Likes Her is a bind up of 3 different books Alice Alone, Simply Alice, and Patiently Alice. This review sadly has spoilers because it happens to be a bind up so if i don't mention some things then I can't review book 2 or 3. This book revolves around a girl named Alice, her friends, and family.Her and her friend are starting their first year of high school; she is just glad that she doesn’t have to go through it alone. Until this girl named Penny comes into the picture, she likes Patrick and Alice seems to think that he likes her too. So basically Patrick wants to have both Alice and Penny at the as time. Him and Alice break up, and he goes out with Penny. Her friends Pam and Liz in the next part of the book seem to be drifting away from Alice and she feels like she is alone. Patiently Alice is the part of the book where Alice finds herself and realizes what she had all along...she sees that "life is changing always". Alice starts to see a lot more than what's in front of her.

When I first saw this book I fell in love with it, I know people say don’t judge a book by it's cover but I’m glad that I did. Yes it turns out to be a bigger book than most but I was up for the challenge. Once I got home I started reading it and I knew I made the right choice in book, genre, and author.I Like Him, He Likes Her can be very relatable to any teen. Although you may not experience the events yourself you understand what is going on in detail. Phyllis Reynolds has a great way of expressing what the characters are feeling and going through. She brings you on a long journey but always finds a great way to end it on a high note. I just found out that this book is part of a series and I can’t wait to read the other books of hers and finish the series.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to girls who are going through middle school and/or going to their first year of high school. This book shows from a girl's perspective some high school issues that are unspoken or sort of taboo. The book, in my opinion, is very relatable and shows very realistic situations or experiences that you come across through your first year of high school. Even though I'm in my last year of high school I could take some knowledge out of each character in order to be more empathetic towards others and knowing everyone goes through struggles in life but life moves on regardless and the purpose of it, is to learn and experience new things and jump out of your comfort zone. This book also taught me that using my voice is important and I am a strong individual who does not need dependence on others.
I wish I would've read this book when I was going to my freshman year and I could've used Alice as a great example to guide some of my doubts about my potential and other things that go through a 14-year-old brain. :)

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting enough to keep my attention and propel me forward in reading it. However, it was a bit immature for my taste. The main character is whiny and almost acts more like a nine year old than a 14 year old. I wasn’t aware until after reading the book that it was part of a series that follows her life from 4th grade through college. Now knowing that, and assuming the books where she is older are more mature, I can understand why it had more of an immature vibe to it. Aside from her being quite annoying, I do think the book carried decent lessons for young audiences such as: don’t revolve your life around a boy, don’t physically give yourself to a boy who doesn’t treat you right, make time for special people on your life, the world doesn’t revolve around you, don’t compare yourself to others, etc. I’m not sure if young teens should be reading a book where 14 year old girls are having sex and buying condoms, but I think most of the messages within are good for them to know. The book definitely could’ve been better, but I was able to finish it, so it wasn’t not good.

[Amy Jo McMahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I read this book when I was about 10 years old. With the main character being 14-15, it was a a challenge for me to fully understand the humor and mindset of a girl that age. While I thought it was a decent book then, rereading this book as an adult makes the experience so much better. It’s certainly a blast from the past reading in the mindset of a young teenager.

This is a nice fluff read. It’s not dense, and the stories are relatable for a variety of readers. The pull for this book is how charismatic and down to earth the characters are. I feel like a member of the family that is along for the daily adventures of Alice. And boy, does do I get second hand embarrassment from some of Alice’s experiences. But that’s what makes it interesting.

If you’re looking for nostalgia, this is the place to go.

[Emma Orndorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is full of adventures and troubles. I definitely rate this a five star. The characters were very interesting and I also enjoyed the setting. I loved how it mentions high school problems and also real world problems. This is an amazing book for young adults and adults. It includes details and three interesting books about Alice growing up.

[Bella Bugg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of bland but good. Alice breaks up with her boyfriend, Patrick, because he likes Penny. She learns to lean on her best friends Pamela and Elizabeth. Her dad is getting married to her 7th grade English teacher. Alice, Pam, Elizabeth, and Gwen enroll in a summer camp, helping little girls get along. The book was a little all over the place and bland.

[lulaareads__ · Rating 3 out of 5]

it would really be 3 1/2 stars but yeah it was a good book i just don’t like how in the last part during camp it’s like her whole writing changed if that makes sense. it’s like it was set in a different era. does that make sense ?? i hope her and patrick end up back together but i hope she stays try to herself if they do.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author could have made this series so much better, and really used several situations in the book to teach valuable, important lessons, but the topics were just brushed over. Very disappointed.

[Alex McMahon · Rating 2 out of 5]

*REREAD* There were parts of this book that I liked but overall I didn't enjoy it as much as I did when I first read it in high school. A lot of it seemed like it was written like fanfiction on Wattpad and the characters didn't seem to have that much character development.