Customer Reviews

Outrageously Alice

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed this book, but am rather amazed that the recommended age level is 9-13. I haven't read any of the earlier ones, so I don't know if they all have so many sexual references, but this one has a pretty steady diet of talk about breasts, lingerie, French kissing, missionary position, etc. Is this really aimed at 9 year olds? The thoughtful and humorous treatment of confusing issues is good, but I think the book should be in Young Adult sections or Middle School Libraries.

Dear Janybird,

If you haven't noticed, 11 year olds talk about that stuff all the time. I'm 14 and when i was 11 1 did! I'm not saying it's not inappropriate, because it is. I'm just saying that don't freak out that you think your daughter is learning and hearings some things too quickly, because she likely already knows about it. She was probably just pointing it out to you to show that the book you bought for her has some things in it you probably wouldn't approve of. Of course teachers won't approve of it, it's talking about visualising people naked! I personally don't think it's all that bad but it's NOT for 9 OR 10 year olds. It should be for 11-15 year olds. When I was 11 I read a book in the series of Alice, and asked my mom, what's a condom? She wondered why that was in the book and i said mom, it is a teen book! The Alice books are in the TEEN section in most book stores, so you SHOULD know there will be some things in there not appropriate for 11 year olds. You can't let a publishing company decide what's appropraite for your daughter by putting an age recommendation on a book. Perhaps you should read a bit of the book to get a the feel of it. But for those people who don't care if it's appropriate or not, it's a great read!

This book was a breath of fresh air in a boring and smothering world of perfection! I recommend this book to any teenager or adult alike looking for some new material. I, however, do not recommend it to anyone below the age of 12, because of some of it's content. Outrageously Alice was humorous, lifelike, and incredibly good! It is Phyllis Reynolds Naylor at her best! Alice finds herself in situation after situation, not always handling them the right way, thus proving that nobody's perfect. I enjoyed this book to it's fullest, and give it two thumbs up!

This book is wonderful. You can experience how it feels when you are going to be 13. What may happen when you are 13. My daughter read it. Who is 12. She loved it also. I give it 5 Stars!

I am twelve year old girl who loves the Alice books because it includes some things about sex and bodies that I might not have otherwise learned. In this book Alice is exactly like me. Wanting to be exciting and outrageous but just a little bit like a young girl still.

Usually, this series is fabulous. This book did not measure up to the formar standred. This talks about hevier subjects then the other books, and in not such a humerous way as the others. Overall, just so-so.

Alice is certainly growing up and is true to the character which Mrs. Naylor has created. However, it is now time for the elementary school to be aware of the contents of the book, as Alice attends a shower, where she is given a fairly expicit questionnaire to answer, and the girls continue their discussion of sex by wondering about positions. Yes, this is a wonderfully funny and realistic book, but be sure you know what you are getting. It is not a book for the 9-year old.

This book is listed for readers age 9-13. However, it is most inapprpriate for preteen readers. Alice learns about "sensual experiences in a swimming pool" and what to do with whipped cream besides putting it on a dessert. This book was donated to my 4th grade classroom library. I assumed it would be appropriate based on Mrs. Naylors other works. Boy was I surprised when a parent brought it to my attention. Strictly for Jr. High and up.

Reynolds Naylor did it again! She writes books like children of the age Alice is in thinks. It is amazing. I love the way she is able to describe things a child would think of so well. She brings up things in life that my daughter may not have gotten "into" yet and we use this as a learning tool of what can happen in life. As always an A+ for the author!

Thirteen-year-old Alice McKinley longs for an outrageous life. So far, though, her days are pretty ordinary. Everything even slightly interesting seems to happen to those around her: her friend Elizabeth just got a baby brother, and her friend Pamela's parents are going through a messy divorce. Her older brother's ex-girlfriend Crystal is about to get married, and her friends are throwing her a lingerie shower.

So, Alice decides to take matters into her own hands, doing all sorts of random spontaneous things like going to school with green mousse slathered all over her hair. If nothing interesting is coming *her* way, Alice thinks, she'll go out and make it happen herself.

But, even if she doesn't realize it's happening, Alice's life is continuously changing. Through Pamela's family problems, she's learning to be a better friend; and at Crystal's shower, she discovers that even grown women might lie about just how many exciting things they've ever done.

While there has been some debate about whether this book is truly appropriate for adolescent readers -- in scenes such as the one at Crystal's shower, where Alice and the other guests answer questions about sexual fantasies and fetishes -- you need to put yourself in the place of Alice. No 13-year-old girl lives in an isolated bubble, and Alice is just like anyone else. She hears bits and pieces of information, and struggles to put the pieces together. In no way can Alice be called a "bad" girl -- she is simply curious about the world around her, and what it means to be an adult.

But, as a bottom line -- only parents and educators can determine which child is ready for this book. Every child matures at a different pace, and while I don't think any reader would be negatively impacted by this, it's always best to judge subjectively.