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Alice #23
Incredibly Alice
Get ready to start your own incredible, amazing life…right?
Alice McKinley is standing on the edge of something new—and half afraid she might fall off. Graduation is a big deal—that gauntlet of growing up that requires everyone she’s known since forever to make huge decisions that will fling them here and there and far from home. But what if Alice wants to be that little dandelion seed that doesn’t scatter? What if she doesn’t have the heart to fly off into the horizon on the next big breeze? And what if that starts to make her feel like staying close to home means she’s a little less incredible than her friends—and her boyfriend Patrick?
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is be honest with yourself—and sometimes the most incredible thing you can do is sneak a little fun into all this soul-searching.
Alice McKinley is standing on the edge of something new—and half afraid she might fall off. Graduation is a big deal—that gauntlet of growing up that requires everyone she’s known since forever to make huge decisions that will fling them here and there and far from home. But what if Alice wants to be that little dandelion seed that doesn’t scatter? What if she doesn’t have the heart to fly off into the horizon on the next big breeze? And what if that starts to make her feel like staying close to home means she’s a little less incredible than her friends—and her boyfriend Patrick?
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is be honest with yourself—and sometimes the most incredible thing you can do is sneak a little fun into all this soul-searching.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2011
30 people are currently reading
854 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
246 books1,036 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 115 reviews
May 26, 2011
At this point, the Alice books are a little predictable. But I've been reading them for more than 20 years, so what do I care if they're predictable? I just love that I've been reading a series for that long and new books are still coming out.
The end is in sight, though!
Oh my lord, I just went and checked to see when the last two books are scheduled to come out, and I found this note from the author:
I wrote the last book several years ago, to make sure that if anything happened to me, readers would know how everything turns out in Alice’s life.
Dear Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: you are AWESOME. Clearly she has the same paranoia as me about unfinished series!
Anyway. I really have been reading these books since I was Alice's actual age. It's fun to read them from this perspective now. I think when they're finished I'll go through and read all 28.
The end is in sight, though!
Oh my lord, I just went and checked to see when the last two books are scheduled to come out, and I found this note from the author:
I wrote the last book several years ago, to make sure that if anything happened to me, readers would know how everything turns out in Alice’s life.
Dear Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: you are AWESOME. Clearly she has the same paranoia as me about unfinished series!
Anyway. I really have been reading these books since I was Alice's actual age. It's fun to read them from this perspective now. I think when they're finished I'll go through and read all 28.
June 23, 2022
In this book in the Alice series, Alice is facing graduation and leaving home. Well-written, with lots of true adolescent feelings expressed.
August 17, 2011
What, no neo-Nazis or child molestation in this installment of the "Increasingly-Boring Alice" saga?! Then again, there is discussion of whether to have plastic surgery on one's private parts, and I'd go so far as to say that Naylor wants to trick readers into believing that Lester's new roommate is a transgendered prostitute. (She's not... just a cheating nerd with a very deep voice.) That's in addition to teenage pregnancy/marriage (contrasted with adult pregnancy/marriage), controlling Chinese parents, arranged marriages, the casting process for a school play, stage fright, book banning, and senior pranks gone awry. Just normal teen stuff with a few teaching moments thrown in. But this book is definitely less didactic than past installments in the series. That makes it more readable but, unfortunately, it still doesn't live up to the charming standard set by Naylor's earliest Alice books. Let's face it, Alice is pretty dull. She only takes a stand on things that are really obviously wrong and is blandly tolerant of everything else. Naylor missed an opportunity to discuss pornography in this book, too: a character uses porn in a way that hurts women, but Alice has no real response... since using porn is a personal choice, right? But why not go there and let Alice have strong feelings about something controversial --even if not everyone would agree that porn is oppressive and evil?
I also want some real racial drama... for example, when is Gwen gonna get mad at Alice (or Naylor) for just keeping her around as a token Black friend (and, worse, the stereotypical Black minor character in a White-dominated novel: academic overachiever who sings in her church's choir and sleeps around)? And, seriously, an 18 year old Black woman is wearing BEADS in her hair...?
It also seems like the Alice series is racing towards the event in which Alice loses her V (has "intercourse," as she archaically terms it) after being curious for the last 22 books. Probably normal for a teenager but not a great storytelling arc for a series of 26+ books that begins with a character's elementary school years.
I'm sure I'll keep perversely reading the series until it is finished, but I'm only keeping room on my bookshelf for "Alice in Rapture, Sort Of" and Betsy(-Tacy), Anne, and other books in which the characters show some sort of spunk and a less-contrived sort of maturity.
I also want some real racial drama... for example, when is Gwen gonna get mad at Alice (or Naylor) for just keeping her around as a token Black friend (and, worse, the stereotypical Black minor character in a White-dominated novel: academic overachiever who sings in her church's choir and sleeps around)? And, seriously, an 18 year old Black woman is wearing BEADS in her hair...?
It also seems like the Alice series is racing towards the event in which Alice loses her V (has "intercourse," as she archaically terms it) after being curious for the last 22 books. Probably normal for a teenager but not a great storytelling arc for a series of 26+ books that begins with a character's elementary school years.
I'm sure I'll keep perversely reading the series until it is finished, but I'm only keeping room on my bookshelf for "Alice in Rapture, Sort Of" and Betsy(-Tacy), Anne, and other books in which the characters show some sort of spunk and a less-contrived sort of maturity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2011
I have been with Alice so long that it is very hard to believe that here is yet another good thing that will come to an end in two more books. I expect great things from the next one, Alice on Board, since Alice is now a. 18 and b. working on a cruise ship for the summer! Her summer books are always the best.
Though it could be argued that the title of this one, as opposed to the others, is a bit misleading, you realize after reading it that everything Alice does in this one (trying out for the school play, for instance) IS incredible - for her. Since this is the last book we have with Alice in school, it carries nostalgic undertones with it not only for her but for us as well. This felt more like the older Alice books without some seemingly random event happening (neo-Nazis?) ... rather, it was awesome to see Alice deal with being 18.
Though I didn't lose my virginity til 21, so I'm not really one to talk, I still can't believe there are only TWO more books and - for all the talk of sex - Alice is STILL a virgin. Too much emphasis is placed on virginity and not enough on just having a real relationship. Alice might find that her first time, after all, really ISN'T that big of a deal, and she needs to push past it to get to the good stuff.
I have very high hopes for the next book, and I hope it does NOT disappoint. SOMEBODY better be having sex. They're going to be on a cruise ship, after all. The only thing I wish is that Ms. Naylor wasn't so old - the speech of the characters often reflects that, though they all use Facebook now (well, what respectable fictional character doesn't?!). The characters finally cuss more, like normal people, but Alice corrected herself twice in this book saying "sex-intercourse, I mean." Please. No 18 year old calls sex "Intercourse." But it's hard to act your age when the person orchestrating your life is, well, a senior citizen.
Though it could be argued that the title of this one, as opposed to the others, is a bit misleading, you realize after reading it that everything Alice does in this one (trying out for the school play, for instance) IS incredible - for her. Since this is the last book we have with Alice in school, it carries nostalgic undertones with it not only for her but for us as well. This felt more like the older Alice books without some seemingly random event happening (neo-Nazis?) ... rather, it was awesome to see Alice deal with being 18.
Though I didn't lose my virginity til 21, so I'm not really one to talk, I still can't believe there are only TWO more books and - for all the talk of sex - Alice is STILL a virgin. Too much emphasis is placed on virginity and not enough on just having a real relationship. Alice might find that her first time, after all, really ISN'T that big of a deal, and she needs to push past it to get to the good stuff.
I have very high hopes for the next book, and I hope it does NOT disappoint. SOMEBODY better be having sex. They're going to be on a cruise ship, after all. The only thing I wish is that Ms. Naylor wasn't so old - the speech of the characters often reflects that, though they all use Facebook now (well, what respectable fictional character doesn't?!). The characters finally cuss more, like normal people, but Alice corrected herself twice in this book saying "sex-intercourse, I mean." Please. No 18 year old calls sex "Intercourse." But it's hard to act your age when the person orchestrating your life is, well, a senior citizen.
June 22, 2011
The latest in my favorite YA series EVER. Over the years, I’ve gone from feeling like Alice’s friend to her big sister to sometimes, her mom. In this book, she deals with life as she graduates from high school. I don’t think that these books are quite as good as the earlier ones that Naylor published, due to the fact that the earlier books all took on some kind of theme in Alice’s emotional life (appearance, being a ‘goody-two-shoes’, being Woman of the House) while narrating a few months in her life. Now, they’re mostly just narration. Still, I eagerly await the penultimate book in the series (!!) to be published next year.
April 7, 2011
Terrible. Boring characters, no plot, awful dialogue. Nothing really happens in this book. Will Alice fall for a boy who's not her boyfriend? No, turns out he's too controlling. Will Alice get arrested for a traffic infringement? No, the police officer lets her go with a warning. Will Alice's friend be forced into in arranged marriage? Probably, but the couple end up liking each other, so it all works out in the end. I haven't read the other books in this series, so perhaps I'm not getting the whole story, but either way I wouldn't start with this one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2014
It's the last semester of senior year and Alice is worried about not having tried enough before college. She auditions for a part in the school play, applies for a summer job on a cruise ship, and goes to prom.
Book takes place: Spring semester of senior year.
Alice's life lessons: You don't move ON from things, you move THROUGH them.
Best Alice moment(s): Alice's audition, all the play shenanigans, Jill and Justin, Alice's talk with Penny, Alice's prom, almost getting arrested on the bridge.
Book takes place: Spring semester of senior year.
Alice's life lessons: You don't move ON from things, you move THROUGH them.
Best Alice moment(s): Alice's audition, all the play shenanigans, Jill and Justin, Alice's talk with Penny, Alice's prom, almost getting arrested on the bridge.
August 21, 2020
Easy reads! I like the continuation of Alice’s life. Loved reading about her senior year of high school. Two books left in a series I started in middle school and dint know the author finished til a couple of years ago! Great memories! Can’t wait for the next two!!!
May 9, 2011
I am a big fan of Alice books. I have read many of them. From The Agony of Alice until Including Alice. Thanks to Gramedia Pustaka Utama, the local publisher, who has published and translated the series. However they did not publish all books and skip some number but I still could keep the track. There was nothing missing. But when they finally decided to stop publish the next book, I was so sad. I still want to read all about her. So that was why I was so thrilled when I saw Incredibly Alice was available in March Grab Galley.
However, at first I was little bit afraid that I missed many part. Because the last book that I read, Alice was in her first semester of 10th grade. From Wikipedia, I found about six books between them. But when I jumped into the chapters, I could catch up. I did not miss many things. Some stuff were retold here. Although many things has happened to Alice and the other characters, I still recognized them. Let's say Elizabeth and Pamela - her best friend, Patrick-her boyfriend, Lester - her gorgeous brother, even Mr McKinley- her father and Silvia. There were still some characters that I did not mention.All characters were developed well. It was nice to see all of them appeared one by one. And all
In Incredible Alice, she was already in second semester of senior year. It was also her last year in high school. Many things happened in this semester. I liked all those various events. The plan to spend summer holiday, School's Drama,Graduation party till the college application announcement that almost drove her emotions. From all of them, my favorite was her story about his brother, Lester.There was not many changing in Lester. He was still sweet. I enjoyed all time that Alice spent with him. I could see Alice and Lester took care of each other. Something that surprised me was her relation with Patrick. They have moved to the next level.
When I was in the last page, all I wanted was reading the next book. Unfortunately this is the newest series so I have to wait till Ms. Phyllis write the next one.
For the one who have not read any book of Alice series, they might find it difficult to blend with the story.
Cover
I did not get used to with this kind of cover of Alice. Because all of her book that published in Indonesia was drawn. But I still like it.
Also posted in It's All About Books
However, at first I was little bit afraid that I missed many part. Because the last book that I read, Alice was in her first semester of 10th grade. From Wikipedia, I found about six books between them. But when I jumped into the chapters, I could catch up. I did not miss many things. Some stuff were retold here. Although many things has happened to Alice and the other characters, I still recognized them. Let's say Elizabeth and Pamela - her best friend, Patrick-her boyfriend, Lester - her gorgeous brother, even Mr McKinley- her father and Silvia. There were still some characters that I did not mention.All characters were developed well. It was nice to see all of them appeared one by one. And all
In Incredible Alice, she was already in second semester of senior year. It was also her last year in high school. Many things happened in this semester. I liked all those various events. The plan to spend summer holiday, School's Drama,Graduation party till the college application announcement that almost drove her emotions. From all of them, my favorite was her story about his brother, Lester.There was not many changing in Lester. He was still sweet. I enjoyed all time that Alice spent with him. I could see Alice and Lester took care of each other. Something that surprised me was her relation with Patrick. They have moved to the next level.
When I was in the last page, all I wanted was reading the next book. Unfortunately this is the newest series so I have to wait till Ms. Phyllis write the next one.
For the one who have not read any book of Alice series, they might find it difficult to blend with the story.
Cover
I did not get used to with this kind of cover of Alice. Because all of her book that published in Indonesia was drawn. But I still like it.
Also posted in It's All About Books
May 21, 2011
I was SO PSYCHED to finally get my hands on this book- I have been an Alice fan since elementary school... I think this is book #26 or something in the series, which chronicles Alice's journey through puberty and now preparing for college.
The Alice Series is one of the most banned series of all time (check out the ALA website for more info on banned books). It is number 2 on the 2000-2009 list (after Harry Potter) and number 14 on the 1990-1999 list for being sexually explicit and unsuited to age group. HOWEVER, I think it perfectly correlates with what children are thinking about and curious about at each age. For example, I would not give a 10 year old the high school books, but I would give a 10 year old the books from when Alice is 10. When I have daughters, I will make sure that these books are on their shelves!
Alice is unique in that she is smart but not bookish, occasionally very impulsive while also developing a strong sense of responsibility, and above all, she thinks and feels very deeply about things. When this book opens, Alice is in the second semester of her senior year. During this book she decides where to go to college, attends the prom, and prepares for graduation. Alice branches out with a new project, Lester (her older brother) gets a crazy roommate, Jill's mysterious "plan" to snag Justin is played out, and the girls apply to work on a cruise ship for the summer! I expect that this book will be less controversial than others because the mild sexual content/discussion is "more appropriate" for a high school senior.
Personally, I really enjoyed this book, but if you have never read an Alice book before, don't start with this one! Start with the first book (Starting with Alice) and work your way on up. Part of the pleasure of this series is seeing how the characters change as they grow up, and it won't be as meaningful to read about Alice's current friendship with Patrick if you haven't read Alice Alone, for example.
Here's a teaser for any fans out there: "You and I are going to have dinner before the dance with the gang. But I've made our own plans for what we do after. It's your birthday you know."
The Alice Series is one of the most banned series of all time (check out the ALA website for more info on banned books). It is number 2 on the 2000-2009 list (after Harry Potter) and number 14 on the 1990-1999 list for being sexually explicit and unsuited to age group. HOWEVER, I think it perfectly correlates with what children are thinking about and curious about at each age. For example, I would not give a 10 year old the high school books, but I would give a 10 year old the books from when Alice is 10. When I have daughters, I will make sure that these books are on their shelves!
Alice is unique in that she is smart but not bookish, occasionally very impulsive while also developing a strong sense of responsibility, and above all, she thinks and feels very deeply about things. When this book opens, Alice is in the second semester of her senior year. During this book she decides where to go to college, attends the prom, and prepares for graduation. Alice branches out with a new project, Lester (her older brother) gets a crazy roommate, Jill's mysterious "plan" to snag Justin is played out, and the girls apply to work on a cruise ship for the summer! I expect that this book will be less controversial than others because the mild sexual content/discussion is "more appropriate" for a high school senior.
Personally, I really enjoyed this book, but if you have never read an Alice book before, don't start with this one! Start with the first book (Starting with Alice) and work your way on up. Part of the pleasure of this series is seeing how the characters change as they grow up, and it won't be as meaningful to read about Alice's current friendship with Patrick if you haven't read Alice Alone, for example.
Here's a teaser for any fans out there: "You and I are going to have dinner before the dance with the gang. But I've made our own plans for what we do after. It's your birthday you know."
March 23, 2017
Naylor was trying to be more hip (I think); I was shocked that Facebook was actually mentioned by name in this book. Personally I would avoid things like that which can date a book, but since Alice already comes across as the oldest modern teenager I've ever of heard of, maybe this is not a concern.
I feel like this book managed to avoid that "checklist" feel that characterized many of the books from recent years; I definitely felt less like we were being subject to a bunch of unrelated and unlikely "issues of today," crammed as tidily as possible into Alice's life and circle of friends.
Jill and her pregnancy/wedding seemed like they took up a great deal of the book, but it was simultaneously rushed and not very interesting. I know Jill is a peripheral character, but I wanted to care a little more. I simply didn't. I will also feel very surprised if her marriage lasts -- it has all the markers for a marriage doomed to fail, based on relationships research.
I think I've enjoyed the Alice books less as she's gotten busier in high school. It is certainly a very accurate portrayal of my own HS life (back in the late '90s) when my schedule was crammed and I was stressed constantly, but I would prefer a more detailed narrative of aspects of Alice's life. Most the of the rehearsal time she spent on the theater production of Cheaper by the Dozen was summed up in a few sentences; I didn't really care about Ryan. Prom shopping was maybe a few paragraphs. I'm not even sure if graduation was mentioned; perhaps that's in the next book. Alice was just jumping from one activity to another, and I don't remember her being like that in the "younger" books.
Of course it would take ages if we followed Alice's life to the level of detail I want, but something is definitely missing these days. Alice is a summary, not a real life. I almost don't really see Alice as a person anymore. Perhaps it is because our age disparity is widening (I was the same age as she was originally).
I miss the Alice who felt almost like a person I knew. Nevertheless, I am determined to follow her adventures to their conclusion.
I feel like this book managed to avoid that "checklist" feel that characterized many of the books from recent years; I definitely felt less like we were being subject to a bunch of unrelated and unlikely "issues of today," crammed as tidily as possible into Alice's life and circle of friends.
Jill and her pregnancy/wedding seemed like they took up a great deal of the book, but it was simultaneously rushed and not very interesting. I know Jill is a peripheral character, but I wanted to care a little more. I simply didn't. I will also feel very surprised if her marriage lasts -- it has all the markers for a marriage doomed to fail, based on relationships research.
I think I've enjoyed the Alice books less as she's gotten busier in high school. It is certainly a very accurate portrayal of my own HS life (back in the late '90s) when my schedule was crammed and I was stressed constantly, but I would prefer a more detailed narrative of aspects of Alice's life. Most the of the rehearsal time she spent on the theater production of Cheaper by the Dozen was summed up in a few sentences; I didn't really care about Ryan. Prom shopping was maybe a few paragraphs. I'm not even sure if graduation was mentioned; perhaps that's in the next book. Alice was just jumping from one activity to another, and I don't remember her being like that in the "younger" books.
Of course it would take ages if we followed Alice's life to the level of detail I want, but something is definitely missing these days. Alice is a summary, not a real life. I almost don't really see Alice as a person anymore. Perhaps it is because our age disparity is widening (I was the same age as she was originally).
I miss the Alice who felt almost like a person I knew. Nevertheless, I am determined to follow her adventures to their conclusion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2024
March 2018
I am almost certain I only skimmed this when it released, so this was my first time reading it through. A sweet conclusion to Alice's time in high school. This had the same issues as the other last four or five (too many "issues") but I enjoyed it, especially Alice's experiences on stage for the first time
December 2020 reread.
Alice in Charge and Incredibly Alice are pretty interchangeable to me, I suppose due to their later release (I was in college when they were published) and lack of rereads on my part.
Alice ends her senior year. Her experience in the play is fun to read about, though she never showed any interest in being on stage before (kind of like the sudden school spirit in the last book), and I wonder about the realism of the school play having such a big impression in a large public school. I felt like the "romance" with Ryan was shoehorned in and unnecessary, but I guess it did show Alice maturing in her relationships. I thought the series of final events should have ended with the prank day, which was solid, and left out the NERF gun war. It felt like too much. The subplot about Lester's roommate was silly. And what's with Alice's inner monologue about Lester's attractiveness? That has been an odd thing that pops up throughout the series. You wonder if PRN thinks that is how people with older brothers really think? I love the Lester and Alice back and forth, have always thought they had a realistic humor and heart relationship, but my eyebrow always goes up when Naylor has Alice ruminate on Lester as a hunk.
October 2023 reread.
While still a largely forgettable and interchangeable volume, I did really enjoy all the details about the senior play. I thought Alice’s anxieties about graduating and what happens next to be realistic.
Lester is still a bachelor (perhaps his longest run yet) and Alice has one date with Ryan, her costar in the senior play. Alice and Patrick reunite for the senior prom and exchange “I love you.”
I am almost certain I only skimmed this when it released, so this was my first time reading it through. A sweet conclusion to Alice's time in high school. This had the same issues as the other last four or five (too many "issues") but I enjoyed it, especially Alice's experiences on stage for the first time
December 2020 reread.
Alice in Charge and Incredibly Alice are pretty interchangeable to me, I suppose due to their later release (I was in college when they were published) and lack of rereads on my part.
Alice ends her senior year. Her experience in the play is fun to read about, though she never showed any interest in being on stage before (kind of like the sudden school spirit in the last book), and I wonder about the realism of the school play having such a big impression in a large public school. I felt like the "romance" with Ryan was shoehorned in and unnecessary, but I guess it did show Alice maturing in her relationships. I thought the series of final events should have ended with the prank day, which was solid, and left out the NERF gun war. It felt like too much. The subplot about Lester's roommate was silly. And what's with Alice's inner monologue about Lester's attractiveness? That has been an odd thing that pops up throughout the series. You wonder if PRN thinks that is how people with older brothers really think? I love the Lester and Alice back and forth, have always thought they had a realistic humor and heart relationship, but my eyebrow always goes up when Naylor has Alice ruminate on Lester as a hunk.
October 2023 reread.
While still a largely forgettable and interchangeable volume, I did really enjoy all the details about the senior play. I thought Alice’s anxieties about graduating and what happens next to be realistic.
Lester is still a bachelor (perhaps his longest run yet) and Alice has one date with Ryan, her costar in the senior play. Alice and Patrick reunite for the senior prom and exchange “I love you.”
Read
January 19, 2012Sad now. I've been following Alice for four years now and it's all over. I feel like a parent with a child leaving the nest. I guess the serious isn't over yet but the next book won't be out until later 2012 and the last book won't be out until 2013!! I guess now would be a good time to start reading from the beginning of the series since I'd started at Alice Alone. A lot has happened and I've watched Alice grow up starting from her freshman year and she's all grown now driving and ready for college. I really don't want this to ever end. Normally i'd do a summary of each book after i'd read them so that i could always remember what it was about but now all I am is sad. I guess I treat books as if they're really happening and there's no more to read from this series at the moment. But what did happen : Alice decided to try out for the school play " Cheaper by the Dozen" and got the part .. Hooray!!...and Jill got pregnant with Justin's baby just so they could get married (I totally disagree with this but hey not my life and besides why get married that young- they were still in high school: Ha! good luck Jill) and aww yay Alice and Patrick finally said I love You to each other on her prom night yup and then he had to catch a plane the next day and then he'll be off to Spain for a year( I get it what you guys have is "special" but there are always other options but good luck to their relationship and why does it seem that Alice had more fun had more fun at Patrick's prom than her's but i guess she had a good time either way. And everyone's going in their separate directions after this (Alice got into the University of Maryland) but at least they'll be spending the summer together working on a cruise ship ...can't wait till the next book and then for the one after that one ...which will be the last -___________________-
November 27, 2017
I wanted to re-read this book for so long now, but I couldn't figure out which Alice book it was! I have the collection of three Alice books called "You and Me and the Space in Between", and this is the second one. Alice in this book is dealing with her last semester in high school; All the stress, all the nostalgia, all the confusion. I relate a lot to this book and to the situation that Alice is in. Childhood becomes adulthood rather quickly when one of her friends is pregnant, and when Alice has to make big decisions such as where she's going to college. I read this book for the first time during High School, probably sophomore year? I've read many books since then and I'm able to look at my old favorites in a new light. As much as I love these books, a lot of the language reads as an older person writing books about a teenager. There are many antiquated terms such as "basket case", "a hoot", "hunk", etc. I somehow didn't realize it until now, or I must have forgot. Overall, it was a fun read, and I love that these books are realistic fiction. I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
August 9, 2017
Alice's last year of high school!! Aaah. She seems so much more mature and less worried about trivial things. Alice is really finding herself, whether she knows it or not. Interesting that she's going to the University of Maryland, since that's an in-state possibility for me too. Prom night was cool and the Assassin game was amazingly fun to read about. I love that Alice got a part in the school play, tried something outside of her usual comfort zone. I want to do what she did, both literally and metaphorically. The mystery of Andy was interesting. I also continued to love Kay, and bring Chinese myself, that parental matchmaking trick is definitely done - was done to my cousin in America, in fact. The way things turned out for Kay and James was amusing and cute. I did ship her with Lester, too, though, haha.
June 29, 2011
I've been reading the Alice books since I was in 5th grade and I never miss a new one! This one was only alright for me. I did appreciate that it was less "after-school special/7th Heaven episode" than the last few have been. No special ed students get molested by teachers, no neo-Nazis, no abusive boyfriends...unfortunately, not much else does happen! Alice is nearing the end of her senior year. She's in the school play and goes to school and misses Patrick and decides where to go to college. Yawn. I do think that the ending of this book sets up an interesting follow-up book. But I didn't want to have to wait another whole year for something exciting to happen for Alice. I need to get a life...
March 27, 2018
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is so cute. I can just imagine this little granny writing away on her Alice books and giggling, "I know what I'll do to shock them this time! Genital cosmetic surgery! Hee-hee!" But all her scandalous material is filtered through a neon 80's filter and kids of today must just be rolling their eyes and saying, "Whatevs". But I did like this one a little more than some of the previous ones. It's a little more light handed on the Important Issues motif she likes so much. There were no white supremacists, eating disorders or domestic abusers hanging around. It's nice that she and her pals finally managed to graduate. It will be interesting to see what happens in the subsequent books.
December 23, 2016
This was the first 'alice' book that I read. I was pretty shocked to find it was #23 in a series!! But the story was easy to follow and the characters, and their pasts, were well introduced. This is a great series for young girls. Alice seems like a really nice girl who makes mistakes but has a good heart. I think she's an excellent role model and I, at 25, was even a little inspired reading about her life.
May 17, 2011
This was a lot better than most of the recent Alice books, mostly because it doesn't read like a Very Special Episode. There is still no reason to pick up these later books unless you, like me, have been reading this series for over 20 years and can't stop now that the finish line is so close in sight.
June 4, 2011
I have really enjoyed the Alice series, but at this point, it has seriously jumped the shark. There is not a single believable or realistic word in this book. Alice ricochets from one Major Life Lesson to the next, and it's all just so painfully earnest. I am only reading for plot at this point, and it's a good thing that the series is coming to an end.
July 24, 2018
Alice finally graduates! It’s been so fun reading this series. I wish I had read it when I was in high school but it’s been fun reading it now. I’ll be sad when this series is over! I don’t think I’ve ever read a series like it. It’s been fun watching Alice grow up!
April 14, 2011
I love these books. They are wonderful stories, and they teach so much in unobtrusive ways. It is lovely to have watched Alice grow up, as we have.
May 3, 2018
4.5 stars
Not much plot in this one but I enjoyed the familiarity of the characters. And now I am down to the last 2 books in this 25 book series! 😃
Not much plot in this one but I enjoyed the familiarity of the characters. And now I am down to the last 2 books in this 25 book series! 😃
May 5, 2019
I think this series is great. I read the books so fast though....... I just started reading them last year, but I am almost done with the series.
September 3, 2019
This was probably one of my favourite Alice novels because nothing too out of the blue or strange happens. It's just a regular journey about what growing up means.
February 28, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. Earlier Alice books usually pose challenges and difficult choices. I get it, Alice is in the cusp of being an adult, but still. Looking back, I think most of her problems just get sorted easily.
In the previous book, she dealt with a Neo-Nazi white supremacist. And in this book, that guy conveniently transferred to another school. So, it's solved. Just like that.
Who has problems in this book? Let me try to remember. Yolanda, whose boyfriend seems to be controlling, lowering her self-confidence. Les, with his new housemate, a very sketchy and questionable woman. Kay, trying to avoid her parents playing matchmakers. Brian, with a joke that has gone too far. Jill & Justin... I think their so-called romance is doomed from the start. Alice is torn between a new suitor and Patrick, but hey, the new guy ends up being too controlling and annoying. Maybe there are other problems, but to me, they seem trivial.
Alice, come to think about it, has a charmed life. She has faced tragedies, true, but most of her wishes come true. Most of the big problems (teen pregnancy, miscarriage, pregnancy-to-wedding, bullying, etc.) happen to people around her. I begin to dread reading the last book of Alice. Maybe I'll be swooned in nostalgia. Or maybe I'll be bored and disappointed. We shall see.
In the previous book, she dealt with a Neo-Nazi white supremacist. And in this book, that guy conveniently transferred to another school. So, it's solved. Just like that.
Who has problems in this book? Let me try to remember. Yolanda, whose boyfriend seems to be controlling, lowering her self-confidence. Les, with his new housemate, a very sketchy and questionable woman. Kay, trying to avoid her parents playing matchmakers. Brian, with a joke that has gone too far. Jill & Justin... I think their so-called romance is doomed from the start. Alice is torn between a new suitor and Patrick, but hey, the new guy ends up being too controlling and annoying. Maybe there are other problems, but to me, they seem trivial.
Alice, come to think about it, has a charmed life. She has faced tragedies, true, but most of her wishes come true. Most of the big problems (teen pregnancy, miscarriage, pregnancy-to-wedding, bullying, etc.) happen to people around her. I begin to dread reading the last book of Alice. Maybe I'll be swooned in nostalgia. Or maybe I'll be bored and disappointed. We shall see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2023
If i could characterize my last semester of high school, I think I’d say it was full of “might have known,” “should have thought,” and “wouldn’t have guessed in a million years.” Surprises, that was it, and decisions like you wouldn’t believe.
4/5 stars.
This was a surprisingly poignant volume in the Alice series. There are discussions about going to college and how things can change between now and then between your friends and family.
4/5 stars.
This was a surprisingly poignant volume in the Alice series. There are discussions about going to college and how things can change between now and then between your friends and family.
November 2, 2018
Well that's it for me. Summer before college on a cruise ship isn't avl. to me, and I'm not even interested in an epic epilogue but would rather imagine for myself whatever happens to all the kids. This one was pretty light, actually, so a nice ending to an important series. Bravo Naylor for helping so many young girls, and bravo me for getting through so many of them.
April 2, 2020
It was nice to see Alice try a new thing and how she graduated but the series has just somehow lost his spark for me. I will read the last two volumes so that I can finish out the series.
February 20, 2025
A coming of age story. It's somewhat predictable but still interesting. I'd say it's a good read for teenaged girls.
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