Your Books are so Real

Question:
I am a mother of two middle-grade children, as well as an aspiring middle-grade novelist. My 11-year-old daughter and I read many of these books together, and discuss what we like and don’t like about them. It is all helpful to me, as I have created a 12-year-old character and written two manuscripts that I hope will someday be published.

When I read the first Alice book last summer, I immediately related to this character, and so did my daughter. Many of the books we read together have very superficial themes, but Alice is such a likable character, and the themes in your books are so real. The early Alice books I have read are some of the only books geared toward that pre-teen age group that explore issues that are important to them without being too graphic or adult in content. I have not yet read all of the Alice books but I plan to, and I will have my daughter read them as I feel she is ready for the subjects covered.

I wanted to let you know that you are not only an inspiration to young girls, but to their mothers as well. Thank you, and keep writing!!

Phyllis replied:

I so appreciate your letter, and thank you for taking your own precious time to write to me. Readers will be very happy to know that not all parents ban the Alice books, and I’m delighted that you share them with your children.

Posted on: November 18, 2009