From Alice to Zen and Everyone in Between [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Atkinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Alice likes playing soccer and working on her go-kart with her dad. But when she moves to the suburbs, she learns from Zen, the boy down the street, that she has no hope of fitting in at her new middle school unless she starts acting more "like a girl." At first, Alice doesn't mind that she isn't just like Haley and Yvette, the school's reigning princesses. Then she realizes that being different can set you apart...and being friends with someone like Zen can set you way apart. Why does being yourself have to be so complicated?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—"Why can't everyone just accept everyone else?" Alice Bunt asks her father when she discovers that popularity and individuality do not always go hand-in-hand. The 11-year-old has just moved to the Boston suburbs from the city and is looking forward to making friends with kids who share her interests. She soon finds Zen, a flamboyantly dressed, fashion-magazine-addicted boy who is definitely a far cry from sports-minded, go-kart-building Alice. When middle school begins, she quickly realizes that a friendship with him could lead to ridicule by classmates. The less-challenging path is to mirror the behavior of the mall-going in-crowd. Alice's dilemma is familiar—to conform or not to conform—with one key difference: Zen. Alice's journey from impressionable naïveté to courageous pluck is a convincing lesson on friendship and tolerance. The story line is a bit contrived, and many of the characters are not fully developed, but Alice's struggle to just be herself is an important one. The happy ending, though manufactured, will give hope to readers experiencing similar conflicts.—Erin Schirota, Bronxville Public Library, NY
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From Booklist

Alice Bunt moves to the suburbs during the summer between elementary and middle-school. A tomboy with a stay-at-home father (and a nice mom who works in Boston, where the family had been living), Alice explores her new neighborhood in search of a friend. Zen, close to her age, isn’t what she had in mind: he’s verbose, flamboyant, and obsessed with remaking her into popular-girl material for the first day of school. Alice goes along with his plans, however, until she discovers she’s heading into a mean, heartless clique. Despite a story line stretched to accommodate some odd or stock characters (Zen’s needlessly batty grandmother and his quirky but supportive fellow church members; Alice’s stereotyped new neighbors; and teachers who are either mean or clueless), Atkinson describes Alice’s ethical development credibly and engagingly. Consider this as comfort food, especially for readers wanting insight into that first foray into a new community—a time when kids can remake their image or accept themselves without apology. Grades 5-7. --Francisca Goldsmith

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 247 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822572710
• ISBN-13: 978-0822572718
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,149,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST FRIENDS!, December 2, 2008

By 

Ross (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Alice to Zen and Everyone in Between (Hardcover)

My kids LOVED this book! It is funny, fast-paced, and best of all, it is about how anyone can survive the drama of middle school if they have just one true friend by their side. Great for the reluctant reader, too!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless story for Tweens, December 21, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: From Alice to Zen and Everyone in Between (Hardcover)

From Alice to Zen will capture the heart of any young teen-ager. It is very well written but still appropriate to their reading level. A marvelous holiday or birthday present. A gift that they will enjoy and probably share with their friends. Delightful addition to the tween genre.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, Totally Delightful Tween Novel, April 13, 2008

By 

Jane AE (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: From Alice to Zen and Everyone in Between (Hardcover)

As a parent it is really difficult these days to find something age appropriate for middle schoolers. FROM ALICE TO ZEN is absolutely wonderful and will appeal to tweens and adults alike!The main characters (especially Zen) are so likable and relatable. The story is funny,absorbing and truly uplifting -- I highly recommend it to anyone between 9 and 12 years old.