Gr 6-8-Alice's friends are savoring their last month of vacation before entering eighth grade, spending every afternoon at Mark Stedmeister's pool-all except Alice, who is embarrassed to admit that she's terrified of deep water. Her father continues the romantic relationship he began in Reluctantly Alice (Atheneum, 1991) with her English teacher, Miss Summers. Alice wishes he would propose and supply her with a mother, but interferes and manipulates less than in previous titles about this engaging character; in fact, her longing for a mother is more understated as she begins to show her maturity and look to herself for answers. Her friend Elizabeth emerges from a phase of believing the human body and all its functions to be repulsive, and reads aloud explicit passages from the unexpurgated version of The Arabian Nights. Consumed by guilt about sneaking the book from her parents' bedroom, she seeks help from her priest. Meanwhile, Pamela is fascinated with passion and romance. Alice's problem is resolved when her older brother insists on teaching her how to swim, and she finishes the summer in triumph. The ends are tied up neatly, as usual, with much droll humor, poignant insight, and graceful narrative along the way. Naylor's understanding of adolescents is apparent, as each new situation totally absorbs the girls' attention and energy. The personal growth of the three adolescents keeps this seventh title in the series interesting as well as entertaining.-Joyce Adams Burner, formerly at Spring Hill Middle School, KS
Alice is ready for eighth grade, but she isn't ready for this summer. All her friends are spending their days swimming in the neighborhood pool-all of them except Alice. Somehow neither curiosity about her widowed father's new girlfriend nor the thrill of reading a forbidden book can distract her from her greatest fear: the deep end of the pool. Brimming with high spirits and courage, Alice the Brave tackles some of the biggest problems of growing up: conformity, popularity, and independence. Along the way, it offers good-hearted lessons about how much friends and family can help when solutions seem far away. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, award-winning author of over 80 books for children, has earned a reputation for portraying young teens with honesty, compassion and humor. Alice is one her favorite characters. This lanky thirteen-year-old will win your heart, too.
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Alice the Brave
Alice is ready for eighth grade, but she isn't ready for this summer. All her friends are spending their days swimming in the neighborhood pool-all of them except Alice. Somehow neither curiosity about her widowed father's new girlfriend nor the thrill of reading a forbidden book can distract her from her greatest fear: the deep end of the pool. Brimming with high spirits and courage, Alice the Brave tackles some of the biggest problems of growing up: conformity, popularity, and independence. Along the way, it offers good-hearted lessons about how much friends and family can help when solutions seem far away. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, award-winning author of over 80 books for children, has earned a reputation for portraying young teens with honesty, compassion and humor. Alice is one her favorite characters. This lanky thirteen-year-old will win your heart, too.
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940171138875 |
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Publisher: | Recorded Books, LLC |
Publication date: | 03/08/2013 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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