Your Questions Answered

Censorship

Question:

My English teacher has assigned us a censorship project. We were given a list of banned/challenged books and we had to choose one to do a report over, explaining why it was banned/challenged and giving our viewpoint on the book and censorship. I am a HUGE fan of your Alice series, so I chose the Alice series. I was wondering what your viewpoint is on your books being challenged or banned?

Does this Mean Anything?

Writing More?

Don’t Want to Hurt Her Feelings

Question:

I am a sophomore in high school, and I’m also a REALLY big fan of your alice series.

I have a typical question, so if you have time, please reply back. Well, there is this guy that I really really like, but he is a senior, and one of my friends who went out with him still likes him but doesn’t want to go back out with him. He is one of my friends, and he is always super nice to me and gives me hugs. And some of my friends think he’s flirting with me, but I highly doubt it. What should I do? I dont’t want to tell my friend because she might hate me, but I don’t want to hurt her feelings either.

Phyllis replied:

She has a copyright on him or something?  What’s up with her not wanting to go out with him but not wanting anyone else to either?   Perhaps you were telling me that he broke up with her and she still likes him and dreams about getting back together.  If this is the case, I can see your reluctance.  Since you like him and he seems to like you, and right now you just have a f riendly relationship, why don’t you just continue as you are and see what happens?  If things get more serious and your girlfriend asks about it, tell her that you started out as friends, and it’s developing into something more.  You can’t shield her forever from life; not everyone likes everyone else, and when a couple breaks up, there is usually one person more hurt than the other.  Tell her this may happen to her someday, and she’ll be in the same position you are now.

But He Already Has a Girlfriend

Facing a Bully

Question:

I have a huge concern and I wonder if you could help me:
i  luv highschool. I am a sophmore, and I have tons of friends and many boys like me. I love my classes, and weekends are always fun. For the first two weeks of school i had never been so happy. well theres this girl, I’ll pretend her name is Bree, and she hates me very much. she hates lots of ppl and has beat up many people but she HATES me the most I am sure. When I walk into a room, she laughs to her friend, when i stand up, she shouts GROSS, and she tells everyone she’s going to kick my ass. I have asked her why she hated me very politely, and she said she wasnt going to tell me, and just made more fun of me with her friends. I am scared of her so badly, and I want to move somewhere far away jsut because of her. I have ignored her, and asked her why she hated me. there is nothing left to do. I would be so happy if it werent for this. there is no option for me to go to another school, and i think she is turning people agaist me, because today when i was walking home, a group of girls drove by in their car, and one shouted out ‘Fuck You’ in the meanest voice I had ever heard. It is making me more derpessed, and the sad part is I would be SO happy if it werent for them! I feel liek I’m the only girl in the school this is happening to. I dont even focus on friends or family anymore because I’m so nervous at what she’ll pull next, or what if the girls in the car had stopped and did something? maybe next time they will. And if i tell the school, these girls will fight back harder! you dont mess with bree. Well sorry if this is wasting your time, but i am very disturbed and woulkd like to enjoy sophmore year with peace of mind. mayeb u could help. Thanks 

Phyllis replied:

I agree–this IS a huge concern, and I truly wish I had an answer.  This is a problem for many girls in many schools, and there doesn’t have to be a real reason they pick onyou–they just want someone to take their anger out on, to feel superior to, to hassle, and if you can’t go to your counselor or principal, I don’t know what you should do.  Have you discussed this with your parents or any adult at all?   If you have a ton of friends, where are they in all of this?  Do they stand up for  you and support you?  Walk home with you? If other readers have faced this and found a solution that worked, we would love to hear from you.  I welcome any teacher with experience of this sort to write and offer suggestions.  It is frightening when a student feels there is nothing she can do, nor anyone she can talk to about bullying.  I will print other replies that we might receive.

“I Like Him, He Likes Her”

i wanted to ask u a few questions about the book.

Changed His Mind?

Phyllis replied:

Certainly seems that way, but it could be for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with you:  his parents may have other plans for him; the things he was originally thinking about doing may not have worked out; he may be short of money; the whole thing may seem more awkward than he’d imagined; the fourth friend backed out, etc. etc.  What you need to do–if you like him–is to stay friendly, don’t question him, treat it lightly–no big deal.  The more comfortable you can help him feel–whatever the reason the weekend didn’t happen–the better your chance that he’ll ask you out some other time.

The Alice Titles

Question:

I love your Alice books so much! I have read every one from Alice in Blunderland to Alice in Charge!
Me and my 2 best friends read all of them at the same time and if one of us gets to a good part then we call the other two or talk on the computer about it, or talk about at school! I buy every single Alice book and keep them all on their own special shelf by themselves because they are my favourites!!

I can’t possibly wait until the next Alice book comes out!!   Never ever stop wrighting, Phillis!  

Phyllis replied:

I do hope you’ve read the very, very first Alice book–Starting with Alice.   You are a real fan.

New friends/old friends