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Alice #2
Alice in Rapture, Sort of
The summer of the first boyfriendThat's what Alice's father calls the summer before Alice starts junior high. And because Pamela's cousin from New Jersey says starting seventh grade without a boyfriend is the worst thing that can happen to a girl (even worse than not having pierced ears or a leather skirt), Alice is greatful that she's got Patrick.
The trouble is, Patrick the boyfriend is a lot more complicated than Patrick the friend. What's an appropriate present for Alice to give Patrick for his birthday? What should she do if Patrick wants to kiss her and she hasn't just brushed her teeth? Alice really likes Patrick, but sometimes she thinkgs life would be a lot simpler if they were still just friends.
The trouble is, Patrick the boyfriend is a lot more complicated than Patrick the friend. What's an appropriate present for Alice to give Patrick for his birthday? What should she do if Patrick wants to kiss her and she hasn't just brushed her teeth? Alice really likes Patrick, but sometimes she thinkgs life would be a lot simpler if they were still just friends.
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 1989
41 people are currently reading
856 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
252 books1,028 followersPhyllis Reynolds Naylor was born in Anderson, Indiana, US on January 4, 1933.
Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.
Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."
By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.
Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.
Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.
Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.
Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."
By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.
Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.
Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
August 7, 2018
Pretty darn cute. I like how Alice is pretty much ok with herself, and fits in pretty well at school. So many books are about dysfunction, or outsiders, or victims of bullies... Alice's life isn't so perfect that she doesn't have a chance to learn some lessons, but all-in-all she's pretty average and I do believe most girls will be able to identify well with her because they're likely to feel pretty average too.
The messages are rather earnest and obvious, which means that this is also good for reluctant readers of Alice's age, as well as curious younger readers. I don't necessarily recommend it for under age 9 though... I suppose it depends on just how curious the child is about kissing "that way" and gossip and loyalty to friends....
I'm going to keep reading as these are short, sort of comforting in a way, and I want to find out what happens to Pamela (it is, apparently, kinda important to read them in order).
And because I want to keep learning. My mother didn't tell me everything, either. In this book my favorite lesson is actually a recipe. Start some onions sauteing. Add pork chops, fry (simmer) until done. Dump a can of applesauce (two diced, microwaved, smashed apples) on top. Serve.
The messages are rather earnest and obvious, which means that this is also good for reluctant readers of Alice's age, as well as curious younger readers. I don't necessarily recommend it for under age 9 though... I suppose it depends on just how curious the child is about kissing "that way" and gossip and loyalty to friends....
I'm going to keep reading as these are short, sort of comforting in a way, and I want to find out what happens to Pamela (it is, apparently, kinda important to read them in order).
And because I want to keep learning. My mother didn't tell me everything, either. In this book my favorite lesson is actually a recipe. Start some onions sauteing. Add pork chops, fry (simmer) until done. Dump a can of applesauce (two diced, microwaved, smashed apples) on top. Serve.
August 12, 2024
This one is engrained in my brain, totally has gotten me out of a reading slump lol. Alice is so thought daughter
November 25, 2008
Definitely my favorite of the Alice series [and believe me, i've read them all! been working on it since 6th grade!]
This one was the first one I read of the series, and none of the others have quite met this one.
Alice is a regular ol' teenager. You can relate to her. And at the same time, you feel sorry for her for her lack of a mom and the distant relationship with her dad and brother.
Read this if you just can't seem to relate yourself to anyone else...this book [and the rest of the series, for that matter] will definitely change that!
This one was the first one I read of the series, and none of the others have quite met this one.
Alice is a regular ol' teenager. You can relate to her. And at the same time, you feel sorry for her for her lack of a mom and the distant relationship with her dad and brother.
Read this if you just can't seem to relate yourself to anyone else...this book [and the rest of the series, for that matter] will definitely change that!
April 30, 2021
I treasure this series so much. Its so fun and I find myself laugh my ass off a couple of times
Alice, Pamela and Elizabeth started their first summer of the boyfriend. And we got to see what mishap their up to and the drama between them and their boyfriend. I know Patrick like Alice but its just so awkward between them. I am kinda sad at the end when
Alice, Pamela and Elizabeth started their first summer of the boyfriend. And we got to see what mishap their up to and the drama between them and their boyfriend. I know Patrick like Alice but its just so awkward between them. I am kinda sad at the end when
February 23, 2014
hell yes she don't need no man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2024
so cute!!!!!🥰
June 26, 2025
Nostalgiacore
June 15, 2024
This book was written just as amazing as the first one I find it amazing how Phyllis Reynolds’s Naylor. can at any age capture Alice McKinleys character with no flaws.
Although this book is very good and has some happy moments throughout all the books there are some very sad moments. Which just adds even more to the plot
Although this book is very good and has some happy moments throughout all the books there are some very sad moments. Which just adds even more to the plot
December 9, 2017
Child me: 4 stars
Adult me: 3 stars
*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group, except for kids reading erotica or something, of course.*
--
****Mild spoilers****
I think I am turning into an old person. All through this, I kept thinking how they were too young to be thinking about having boyfriends, kissing, among other things and not able to really get into the story because I could not relate at all to the boyfriend/romance stuff. When I was around 12, I had the random crush, sure and 1 'boyfriend' who only walked me home a couple times, but I broke up with him after a month or so because his friends made a bet on who would kiss their 'girlfriend' first and I did not want to kiss. Ah... so innocent back then. Maybe I was the only preteen/young teen who did not get obsessed over having a boyfriend.
It felt like most of this book was just about boyfriend/kissing stuff, which I can understand would be helpful to some people in a similar time of their life. It took about until the middle of the book for me to get more interested in the story line. I liked the parts where she is learning about her mother and the babysitting parts. I like the friendship parts and wish the story went more into the friendship. I liked when she visited her old teacher and when her neighbor was nice enough to care for her.
I am so glad that Alice decides she is not ready for a boyfriend and wants to find herself. I wonder how long that will last.
I really do like the writing style and have high hopes for the rest of the series.
Adult me: 3 stars
*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group, except for kids reading erotica or something, of course.*
--
****Mild spoilers****
I think I am turning into an old person. All through this, I kept thinking how they were too young to be thinking about having boyfriends, kissing, among other things and not able to really get into the story because I could not relate at all to the boyfriend/romance stuff. When I was around 12, I had the random crush, sure and 1 'boyfriend' who only walked me home a couple times, but I broke up with him after a month or so because his friends made a bet on who would kiss their 'girlfriend' first and I did not want to kiss. Ah... so innocent back then. Maybe I was the only preteen/young teen who did not get obsessed over having a boyfriend.
It felt like most of this book was just about boyfriend/kissing stuff, which I can understand would be helpful to some people in a similar time of their life. It took about until the middle of the book for me to get more interested in the story line. I liked the parts where she is learning about her mother and the babysitting parts. I like the friendship parts and wish the story went more into the friendship. I liked when she visited her old teacher and when her neighbor was nice enough to care for her.
I am so glad that Alice decides she is not ready for a boyfriend and wants to find herself. I wonder how long that will last.
I really do like the writing style and have high hopes for the rest of the series.
December 11, 2019
This was the first book that I read in one day. It was 1993, I was in 7th grade, and I was NOT a reader. At the time it was mandatory for us to read a certain number of books from the library for our English class. I picked this one off of the shelf and gave it a whirl, despite the fact that I wasn't all that studious and only did my homework when I felt like it.
Story short... I devoured it. Like Alice I didn't have a mom, but also like Alice I wasn't super dramatic about it and I appreciated that about her. It validated that yes, you can have trauma as a kid, but you can still feel lighthearted about life. I loved the romance and the friendships and the simple fun within. It was my ideal summer come to life. But it was the voice that mainly drew me in. To me at that time, it came across as honest and real. Alice's concerns may seem trivial to some, but to a middle school aged kid they were spot on. It was the most relatable thing I had read at that point and turned out to be just the escape I didn't know that I was craving.
I'm 39 now. I'm a middle school teacher (English/Drama) and a debut author myself. I wonder what I would be doing right now if I had not picked this book off of the shelf and discovered my love of reading. I've read more books than I can count now, but this will always be one of my all time favorites.
Story short... I devoured it. Like Alice I didn't have a mom, but also like Alice I wasn't super dramatic about it and I appreciated that about her. It validated that yes, you can have trauma as a kid, but you can still feel lighthearted about life. I loved the romance and the friendships and the simple fun within. It was my ideal summer come to life. But it was the voice that mainly drew me in. To me at that time, it came across as honest and real. Alice's concerns may seem trivial to some, but to a middle school aged kid they were spot on. It was the most relatable thing I had read at that point and turned out to be just the escape I didn't know that I was craving.
I'm 39 now. I'm a middle school teacher (English/Drama) and a debut author myself. I wonder what I would be doing right now if I had not picked this book off of the shelf and discovered my love of reading. I've read more books than I can count now, but this will always be one of my all time favorites.
October 10, 2020
Another cutie :)
August 30, 2017
The Alice saga continues! I really enjoyed this cute little book and it was nice to read sort of a continuation of "The Agony of Alice". I wish I had realized this was a whole series when I was in junior high. I was reading all the time so how did I miss this?!
As for this book, it was cute, but I feel like it would be one of those books that if I had read it as a teen, I would have had a different reaction than reading it as an adult. Not sure if that makes sense. Like, the scene where the dad just lets the girls be on their own on the beach. I would have thought nothing of it because my mom let me be by myself when I was that age. But as an adult, I'm thinking, no, don't let the kids go to the beach by themselves! What if something happens or those boys take advantage of them?! lol Or maybe it's just because this is an older book. You know, times change, and nowadays, maybe you don't let your almost teenager daughter have that much freedom. Hmm.
The other thing in reading this was that I felt the rising seventh grade girls were a little advanced for their ages. I mean, french kissing? Although to be honest, I never had a boyfriend at that age so what do I know? LOL I do remember being that age though and having boys and girls start to pair off.
The thing that remains true though is the feelings and emotions of Alice. She, I think, is a character that most girls could relate to in some way or another. Or like, Pamela, when she gets mad at Mark for running around with her bra, her angry reaction seemed about right. Or Elizabeth when she is upset and doesn't come outside, says she's sick, etc. That's how kids that age are.
The book had somewhat of a fitting conclusion. I was proud of Alice for realizing that maybe there are things she's not quite ready for and that she needed to take a step back. I'm looking forward to continuing the series. I want to find out what happens to Alice next!
As for this book, it was cute, but I feel like it would be one of those books that if I had read it as a teen, I would have had a different reaction than reading it as an adult. Not sure if that makes sense. Like, the scene where the dad just lets the girls be on their own on the beach. I would have thought nothing of it because my mom let me be by myself when I was that age. But as an adult, I'm thinking, no, don't let the kids go to the beach by themselves! What if something happens or those boys take advantage of them?! lol Or maybe it's just because this is an older book. You know, times change, and nowadays, maybe you don't let your almost teenager daughter have that much freedom. Hmm.
The other thing in reading this was that I felt the rising seventh grade girls were a little advanced for their ages. I mean, french kissing? Although to be honest, I never had a boyfriend at that age so what do I know? LOL I do remember being that age though and having boys and girls start to pair off.
The thing that remains true though is the feelings and emotions of Alice. She, I think, is a character that most girls could relate to in some way or another. Or like, Pamela, when she gets mad at Mark for running around with her bra, her angry reaction seemed about right. Or Elizabeth when she is upset and doesn't come outside, says she's sick, etc. That's how kids that age are.
The book had somewhat of a fitting conclusion. I was proud of Alice for realizing that maybe there are things she's not quite ready for and that she needed to take a step back. I'm looking forward to continuing the series. I want to find out what happens to Alice next!
April 1, 2024
The sequel to Agony Of Alice. This book opens right after the previous, feeling at once like a chapter in one long saga rather than a separate book. It details Alice's summer of a first boyfriend, Patrick, the crossing guard who got her attention in the last book. Now, she does more "couple" activities with him; they go to dinner at a fancy restaurant and go to the beach. Each new activity brings a slew of new worries for Alice. What if she does something embarrassing at the restaurant? Will she know which fork to use? Is a new swimsuit a statement, and does she intend to make any kind of statement? What do you get a sixth-grade boy for his birthday? She goes to friends for advice, but they offer conflicting ideas on what is permissible with boys. The questions get deeper. When does it go from holding hands to “I want you! I need you?” How did it happen for her parents? With no mother she is lost. But isn’t sure if she’s ready for romance and wishes it could be more like before. This is another very well written slice of adolescence, intimate and real (at least for the time in which it was written — I have no idea how teens view the stages of romance in this brave new future world). They may be written for teen girls, but I find myself hooked, and rooting for Alice, so lost in a word of complex emotions.
August 1, 2024
What I like from this book:
- These kids were so independent. They worked as baby sitters for their neighbors. Alice got a nice trick when the boy she was looking up to was throwing tantrum.
- The hilarious things like when Mark stole Pamela's lift up spandex ahhh bra, thinking it was Elizabeth's and then swung it while climbing the fences.
- When Alice got sick and was helped by her neighbour, Mrs. Egglestone. She then thought that many women around her can be her emergency mom. She thought that every woman has their inner-mother sense, might be including her.
- When Alice found the correspondence letters of her mother and her father. After reading those letters, she then realized how her parents lived each other. She then asked for apology from her dad because she read those letters without permission.
What I don't like from this book:
- Things escalated quickly. Alice and Pamela were still 12 years old but they had already french-kissed their boyfriends, Patrick and Mark. Will you let your kids reading a book about 12-year old kids french-kissing? I bet not. I'm curious how these scenes were translated in my country. Were those scenes censored?
- Lester went out with Crystal Harkins. But after Marylin, his old girlfriend, sending him a letter, telling him that she still wanted to see him, he went back with Marlyin, without breaking up with Crystal.
- Only few scenes about Alice and Mrs. Plotkins. Aaaaawwww....
- These kids were so independent. They worked as baby sitters for their neighbors. Alice got a nice trick when the boy she was looking up to was throwing tantrum.
- The hilarious things like when Mark stole Pamela's lift up spandex ahhh bra, thinking it was Elizabeth's and then swung it while climbing the fences.
- When Alice got sick and was helped by her neighbour, Mrs. Egglestone. She then thought that many women around her can be her emergency mom. She thought that every woman has their inner-mother sense, might be including her.
- When Alice found the correspondence letters of her mother and her father. After reading those letters, she then realized how her parents lived each other. She then asked for apology from her dad because she read those letters without permission.
What I don't like from this book:
- Things escalated quickly. Alice and Pamela were still 12 years old but they had already french-kissed their boyfriends, Patrick and Mark. Will you let your kids reading a book about 12-year old kids french-kissing? I bet not. I'm curious how these scenes were translated in my country. Were those scenes censored?
- Lester went out with Crystal Harkins. But after Marylin, his old girlfriend, sending him a letter, telling him that she still wanted to see him, he went back with Marlyin, without breaking up with Crystal.
- Only few scenes about Alice and Mrs. Plotkins. Aaaaawwww....
July 11, 2017
I'm flying through this series. This book was mainly about Alice's first boyfriend during the summer between sixth and seventh grade. I'm four years older than Alice is in this book, so it was kind of interesting to see her experience all these things that I never have haha. I loved all the realistic and interesting characters - Alice's dad and brother Lester, friends Pamela and Elizabeth, Patrick, etc. The part where they went to a beach house in Ocean City for a week was so cool because I just recently went to one for the first time for a week, and I just got back a few days ago. As with the other books, I remember a lot of details from when I read these books the first time, and they come surging back when I get to a certain part. Alice is the best girl to look for when growing up. She shares all the struggles and relatable questions.
September 28, 2017
This was really good with a positive message for girls - I will definitely recommend. Probably banned due to some REALLY subtle intimations that her 19 year old brother is having sex with his girlfriend. My favorite part is near the end when she says (and I'm paraphrasing since I don't have the book in front of me) that she really likes this guy, probably more than he knows, but it's also time to start liking herself - what do I want, what kind of person do I want to be? I thought that was a great message for young girls.
October 27, 2021
This is part of my re-reading the Alice series in 2021. Again, I feel like Alice is me or at least, someone I know, the story is so well-written, just what we need to understand the teenagers' agonies and sympathize with them. Again, these lovely 00's vibes, when we were stressed out about guys, when we wanted to impress them even if we had trouble understanding them. This was before technology took over and gosh, I'm glad my teenage years happened then. You'll love the characters with all their flows, even when they are goofy. Do read this!
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February 1, 2020Alice in Rapture, Sort of is a romance book about Alice and her boyfriend, Patrick. During the Summer there are lots of problems from rules of having a boyfriend, breakup, a bra coming off with fake breasts, and sins. Alice, Pamela, and Elizabeth face so many troubles with boys like Patrick, Mark, and Tom. Can they survive the Summer of the First Boyfriend?
October 5, 2023
I read a book a while ago that referred to this book series, and I was surprised that I'd never even heard of them. Probably should've started with the first one, but my library didn't have it available, soooo here we are.
This definitely shows its age (pub 1989), which isn't a bad thing necessarily. I liked Alice and will probably pick up a couple more in this series.
This definitely shows its age (pub 1989), which isn't a bad thing necessarily. I liked Alice and will probably pick up a couple more in this series.
January 26, 2024
Fond memories of this one. This was one of those books in the 4th grade that one girl randomly checked out from the library, came across a paragraph about French kissing, and by the end of the school day had showed it to every girl in the class. It was a day of 10 year old girls leaning over a book in blushing, giggling pairs. It was gateway smut, and I have NO REGRETS!
December 12, 2024
Five star for pure nostalgia. Can I be a tween again and read this for the first time. LOL, the Alice series taught me so much. It taught me so much that I was teaching my friends what my parents were afraid my friends were teaching me. Anyway, honestly this series was such a cool idea. I plan to read it again some time now in my 30s.
May 9, 2017
Everytime I read this book, I fall more in love with it. Alice is such a relatable character & the author really captures what it's like to be a 12 year old girl. This is definitely one of my favkrite series & I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves great writing & entertaining stories.
March 3, 2020
"The Summer of the Boyfriend" is what Alice's Dad calls the summer before Al begins Junior High. Its a rollercoaster summer when the girls decide that they need boyfriends to start seventh grade. I love the friendship trio of Al, Pamela and Elizabeth. They're each different but still get along. The parts with the summer home where hilarious. This series is so heartfelt and honest. Its joining the Ramona series as my favourite.
September 3, 2020
I remember getting this book free with a magazine when I was a teenager.
This was an enjoyable read and importantly talks about being clear about boundaries in relationships. Alice is a great main character who is fairly comfortable in her own skin.
This was an enjoyable read and importantly talks about being clear about boundaries in relationships. Alice is a great main character who is fairly comfortable in her own skin.
June 29, 2021
I really thought that this book was very funny and I could not stop laughing! :) I really recomend this book to someone who likes comedy, a bit of romance and 6th/7th grade summer stories.
- Augustina
- Augustina
July 19, 2025
Revisiting an old favorite. I hadn't thought about this book in 20 years but I found it in a Little Free Library near my house. Still as charming and relatable as I remembered, and doesn't feel hopelessly dated the way some books from my childhood do.
July 3, 2017
This was my favorite book in 4th grade! Even reading it as an adult was enjoyable.
June 8, 2020
Ahhh it's so cute
August 2, 2020
All of this series is going to majorly take me back. It is so awkward and cute I can hardly stand it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews