BOOK: Achingly Alice by Naylor

[Frederick Muller <fmuller@SATURN.PLANET.NET>]

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds._ Achingly Alice_,1998
   It has been a while since I read an Alice book but I fell right
back into the whole story again.  We have really seen Alice grow up!
Once again the writing is very enjoyable and the story is well put
together but Alice is now growing up too much for my middle school.
So much of this book is great but when she ventures into the
discussion of her friends first pelvic exam and why she gets wet down
there, how the doctor says its okay to touch herself there, how she
asks her father about masterbation, and how the girls experiment with
the douche in the bathroom, Mrs. Naylor crosses over into the
uncomfortable zone for my library (5th-8th graders).  The book is
thin (121 pages)  and would most definitely be picked up by a 5th
grader in my school.  Don't get me wrong this book is a wonderful
continuation of the Alice story -- her relationship with her father,
his girl friend, Alice's experiences with dating -- but you will
have to make you own decision. There are several other Alice books
planned but I think the Alice story has ended in my middle school.
***
Frederick Muller
fmuller@planet.net               Halsted Middle School Library
(973) 383-7440  ext.228       59 Halsted Street
FAX (973) 383-7432             Newton, NJ   07860
-----
My book reviews are compiled at
   http://www.halsted.org/br.htm
My personal site is at
   http://www.planet.net/pfmuller

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