Customer Reviews

From Alice to Zen and Everyone in Between

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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!!

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.

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.

Moving to another town right before middle school can be very scary - but also exciting.

Alice has moved from a cramped little apartment in Boston to a 3,500-square-foot house in the suburbs. Alice's mom works as a vice-president in marketing at a publishing house in Boston while her father is a stay-at-home dad who buys old stuff at yard sales or from the newspapers and then sells them for a lot more on the Internet.

In fact, that is how they got the new house.

Alice is hoping that the rest of the houses near her will have a BFF for her, but when that doesn't come to fruition she goes searching for a friend before school starts. She then meets Zeninthal Stevie Wonder Malinowski, aka Zen. He is an odd boy and he gives Alice advice on how to be popular in middle school, which goes against everything that is Alice.

How she defines herself and learns about what is important in life makes a fascinating read.

I enjoyed this novel a lot. It was fast-moving and fun to read. I loved the characters. Alice is a very normal sixth-grader and her family is loving and understanding. Zen, though, is very odd, but since my daughter went to a performing arts school I knew he was real and not just a character. I have met many kids who do not fit into middle school or even high school society, and Zen is one of those.

The lesson of not being afraid to be yourself is done well and I recommend this to all middle schoolers.

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison

My daughter devoured this book, not only because it's good storytelling, but because she could identify so easily with the different characters and the situations in which they find themselves. For adults this story is a good reminder of the struggles and dilemmas that kids face as they make the transition from childhhood to early teens.
We can't wait for Elizabeth Atkinson's next book which, according to her website, should be coming out in spring '09.

I loved this book! Friendships are not always with the people you think you'll like or want to like. And they aren't easy - especially in middle school. This is a fun and funny story about two very different kids who find friendship when they need it most. A great read for almost any age - but perfect for upper elementary and middle schoolers.

Excellent book for tweens and teens, and for adults as well. Intriguing story line, realistic characters, a worthwhile message comes across with no preaching,no heavy-handed moralizing. Our grandchildren love this book, and so do we.

As a psychotherapist who works with tweens, this book has been an incredible resource in helping my clients normalize the social dilemmas of preadolescence and navigate middle school. Not only does the content hold the interest of the reader, it also provides an opportunity for the exploration of relationships and values. I highly recommend this book to tweens and those who love them.

I love to read what my children are reading. I loved the characters and even the pets. I found myself guessing what was coming next and to my surprise I wasn't always correct. There were some unpredictable twists that kept me reading and reading until I finished. The characters were a bit unique BUT they were so believable and real. I will definitely recommend my 9 year old read this.

This is one of those kid books that parents will enjoy just as much as their kids will -- very funny and a little nostalgic. The story deals humorously (but sensitively) with gender stereotypes which is a huge issue at this age so all kids will relate. My daughter is really hoping for a sequel. Great cover -- a nice holiday gift!!