Including Alice

May 1, 2004
Gr 6-9-Alice is now a sophomore, and finally, after four long years, her dad is marrying Sylvia Summers. When the wedding day arrives, Alice is excited but quickly begins to feel left out. Changes come to the household; first her older brother, Lester, moves out and then her father and Sylvia begin making plans to remodel without talking to Alice. She is further exasperated when the embroidered sheets she toiled over for a wedding gift do not fit the new bed Sylvia and her dad have purchased. Over time, with patience from both sides, Alice realizes that though her dad has a new life, she is very much a welcomed part of it. She realistically deals with the challenges and angst that teenagers face in their daily lives including fitting in, peer relationships, getting braces, and blended families. As in the previous books, Alice is curious about sex and relationships. While perhaps not as fresh or funny as the earlier titles, this book can stand alone, and fans of the series will appreciate the ongoing saga of these engaging characters.-Angela M. Boccuzzi, Merton Williams' Middle School, Hilton, NY

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.