Honest and realistic

I’m a 24-year old who started reading your “Alice” books in middle school, and I have to thank you for your incredibly honest, realistic, and poignant portrayal of what it’s like to grow up female. High school, college, and graduate school distracted me, and I stopped reading Alice around the time of “Alice Alone,” but after I needed a pick-me-up recently, I went to the Foggy Bottom library, read the next five Alice books, and was happy to see that they are as compelling now as they were when I was fifteen.  

I grew up in Gaithersburg and always loved how you put local landmarks into your stories, along with lots of wit and love. Alice taught me to be a more compassionate and thoughtful young adult, and when I have nieces or daughters, I will be sure to make these books a part of their lives, too. Thanks for all that you’ve given to young and old readers alike.

Phyllis replied:

It’s wonderful to know that when you rediscovered the Alice books, they still meant so much to you.  Thank you for taking the time to write to me!