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Title: The Agony of Alice
ISBN: 141695533X
Author:
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Publicate Date: 2007-12-26
Publish: 2007-12-26
List Price: $5.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $2.20
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.25
Amazon Merchant Price: $5.99
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| Customer Review: |
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1: fun introduction to a fun character
In the world of children's literature (and in recent years also YA), one name is mentioned above all others: Alice. To be specific, Alice McKinley--the intrepid heroine of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's long running children's/YA series.
"The Agony of Alice" is the debut novel of this series, originally published in 1985 and now out in a variety of reprints with myriad versions of cover art. Personally, I'd be more willing to consider Naylor's prequel novel "Starting With Alice" (from 2002) to be the actual beginning of this series, but having read both either seems appropriate as an introduction to Alice's world.
When this story begins, Alice is preparing to move with her father and older brother, NAME. As the family packs up, Alice remembers all of the embarrassing things she did in the years leading up to the move and also wishes that, just maybe, some people like Donald Sheavers and the milk man might disappear or suddenly develop amnesia to save Alice some of her embarrassment.
Of course, life doesn't work that way, so instead Alice just has to keep moving forward in her new town as she tries to make new friends, find a new mother (Alice's mother died when she was a young child), and earn a place on the coveted street patrol. Meanwhile, Alice has to decide whether she's growing up properly or backwards, cope with the worst teacher in the entire grade, and figure out how to buy a pair of jeans. Sixth grade is going to be nothing if not exciting for Alice!
This is the kind of book where not many "major" things happen, it's more like opening a window into Alice's life. Happily that works. Alice is likable and entertaining. Naylor does a great job creating an authentic and readable voice in her first person narration. On a more minor note, it's kind of fun to read the early books in the series that are set in the 1980s just to get little touches like the cassette tapes thrown in to make the setting authentic.
When I started "The Agony of Alice" I must admit that the book seemed a bit slow (as slow as such a short book can seem). That might have more to do with my usually reading crazy, action-packed fantasy novels. It might also have to do with my resistance to starting this series. Having done my time with sweeping series--the ones that go on for years and require a continued commitment to follow--I was hesitant to start another. Then I found out that the series would be ending when Alice turned eighteen and realized the end was in sight (Alice was already a high school junior in the latest installment). Plus, the book got more interesting the more I read which made me rethink my initial doubts.
Finally, Alice is a great character. Certainly Alice has her stumbles along the way, but she always gets up and dusts herself off. It's a hard lesson to learn, so it's nice to see a character in a children's book who is already getting the hang of it.
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2: Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Once again, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor takes us inside the mind of Alice in THE AGONY OF ALICE, and shares all the crazy adventures and thoughts that we never thought a pre-teen would have.
Alice McKinley is moving into a new house and entering the sixth grade. Almost a teenager, Alice just wants a little help getting used to all of those crazy issues that girls experience. And only having a father and brother, neither of whom know that girls do not wear jeans on the guy's side of The Gap, Alice could definitely use a little less male influence and a lot more of a female role model.
Things aren't working out so great, especially when the McKinley's new neighbors just so happen to bring them dinner, even though Alice's father promised that they would go out to eat. And Alice doesn't get Miss Cole, the gorgeous teacher that all of the girls want to be like, but instead is assigned to Mrs. Plotkin's class, the not-so-beautiful teacher. And then there is her brother, who knows nothing about being a teenage girl, and can only complain about the way Alice chews with her mouth open.
It seems like Alice needs someone to show her the ropes on being a girl -- and quick!
Alice McKinley is just so innocent that you can't help but fall in love with her. THE AGONY OF ALICE is perfect for any pre-teen who isn't quite sure of what lies ahead for them and the obstacles that they just might have to face.
Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
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3: The Start of a Cherished Series
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has combined the frankness of Judy Blume's writing with the fun of L.M. Montgomery's stories, creating a likable protagonist that would be pals with Anne Shirley, were they contemporaries. Alice McKinley is, at times, awkward, uncertain, and shy; in other instances, she is bold, brave, and determined. She lives a good, clean life and makes good decisions most of the time, but is not afraid to ask questions and make her own decisions.
Alice lost her mother at a young age and barely remembers her. She adores her father, who works at a music store, and her older brother Lester. She has two best friends, one mama's girl and one slightly wild child.
Readers can grow with Alice. As the series progresses, Alice gets older, and the reading level (due to content) goes up too. The series tackles everything - name-calling, dating, religion, school, death of a parent, remarriage and stepparents, peer pressure, and more - without ever being preachy or saccharine. Alice discusses life issues and questions taboos with her father, brother and friends without shame, without fear - just openness and honesty. In turn, readers should feel encouraged to discuss these books with their families.
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4: Who hasn't lived through Alice's agony?
The summer before sixth grade, Alice McKinley, her dad Ben and older brother Lester move to a new town...where Alice unwittingly manages to humiliate herself almost immediately. First she makes a fool out of herself in front of her new neighbor and classmate, the perfect Elizabeth; then she accidentally barges in on a red-haired boy in a store changing room.
To Alice's horror, the boy turns out to go to her new school. And to make matters worse, Alice doesn't get the pretty young teacher she had hoped to have as a practically subsitute mother, but rather the older, physically unattractive Mrs. Plotkin.
For once determined to change her destiny, Alice tries to talk the principal into switching classrooms. And when that fails, she decides to be outright rude and uncooperative, trying to make Mrs. Plotkin want to get rid of her. Instead, to Alice's great surprise, Mrs. Plotkin reacts with kindness...and before she knows it, Alice has her first lesson in never judging a book by its cover.
If you've never given the "Alice" series a try, give this book a try! You'll soon be looking for the rest of the series, eager to find out what else Alice has been up to.
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5: Poor Alice
Alice Mckinley's mother died when she was 4,and Alice is now going in to the 6th grade and don't know how to become a teenager. Her life is pretty much a embarrassment. She wants to find a gorgeos adopted mother. Alice was hoping that her 6th grade teacher would be one but it turned out she got a not so pretty teacher Ms.Plodkin. I strongly recommened this book for you to read this is a very good book.
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