Alice Blog

Embarrassed about Everything

Question:

i live in la i have an older
brother who is 8 years older than me and i am embarrassed about every
thing please write another alice book

Phyllis replied:

There are 25 Alice books published so far, so you have a lot of reading to do! I’m very glad you like them.

Posted on: July 9, 2009

What to Get a Boyfriend

Question:

i am 12 years old and my bf’s birthday is coming up!what should i get him?thanks for ur time!!

Phyllis replied:

I don’t know, because I don’t know him. And I don’t know how well YOU know him. I’d vote for something on the funny side. A card with a clever message. A giant chocolate bar, if he’s fond of Hershey’s. A tiny Matchbox car if he’s always talking about cars. Something to make him laugh. If you wrap it up fancy, it will be all the more funny.

Posted on: July 9, 2009

Is there really an Island Avenue?

Question:

Does Buchannon, West Virginia really have a footbridge and a roadbridge? Is there really a house adressed as 611 Island Avenue? Which character from The Boys Start The War series are you most like?

Phyllis replied:

I’m glad you enjoyed that series. Yes, when my husband lived in Buckhannon, West Virginia, he lived on Island Avenue. I don’t know that his house even had a number–and there were indeed swinging footbridges–one over the river in front of the house, and one in back, where the river curved around. If I’m anybody in that series, I supposed I’m Caroline, though I’m embarrassed to admit it.

Posted on: July 9, 2009

Homesickness

Question:

I will be starting college in the fall, and I am so scared and nervous. I want to be able to prove to my parents that I am mature enough to live away from home and be successful, but I am afraid I will get homesick. The university is two hours away from my home, so the distance is bearable and I can come home on weekends, but the very idea of being on my own is still frightening. Do you have any advice about how I might be able to easily transition into college life? How did you feel when you went to college?

Phyllis replied:

Interesting that you ask this, because this is one of Alice’s problems in the book I’m writing now. I can only talk about the homesickness I felt in high school, going on sleepovers, as I never lived in a college dorm. Actually, I got homesick all during grade school–partly because family reading time was a big deal in my family, and I missed cuddling up on the couch with the others, wondering what book I was missing out on. And I was homesick in high school, though I wasn’t sure for whom or why, until I got a serious boyfriend, and then it stopped. I think it’s just wanting some closeness with somebody, and the separation reminds us of the vacant, lonely feeling we felt back in kindergarten, or whenever we were separated from our parents. I’m hoping that readers will respond to your letter to tell us how they dealt with it. A few suggestions: try to write about it–either for your own private journal or in an email home–and make it funny. Try to see the more humorous side of it–what your fantasies tell you you’re missing back home, and the reality of what you would be doing if you were there. You might, for example, be up in your room listening to music, paying no attention to the rest of the family, but you just like the thought that if you DID want to talk with them, they’re there. Get a continuing email dialogue going between you and a sister or a friend. I personally think you’ll have so many choices of things to do while you’re at college, and so much course work, you’ll be too busy to notice it much.

Posted on: July 9, 2009

From a Dad

Question:

I am a huge fan of Shiloh. I can clearly remember you visiting my Elementary school a long while back (Horizon Elementary in Hanover Park IL) Now I am in college and still love the Shiloh stories. The reason why I was writing was to see if I could get your autograph for myself and my daughter Amanda, she loves hearing the Shiloh stories just as much as I.

Phyllis replied:

I’d be delighted. I’m so glad you’re enjoying these books together.

Posted on: July 9, 2009

Do You Believe in Teen Pregnancy?

Question: do you believe in teen pregnancy/parenting/ having sex?

Phyllis replied:

I don’t believe it’s a good idea for a teenage girl to subject her body to becoming pregnant, nor do I think she is ready to be a mother. She has a lot of living to do before that happens. I think that some teenagers turn out to be good parents, but for most I would imagine this is a burden they didn’t expect. As for sex, I believe that teenagers are sexual beings and have very strong sexual feelings. But I also believe there are other ways of satisfying the sexual urge than with intercourse, which can be risky for a variety of reasons. I happen to think that Alice and Patrick handled their feelings exactly right in Intensely Alice.

Posted on: July 8, 2009

Are the Alice books too old for me?

Question:

i’ve read your alice prequals and my birthday is soon. (i’ll be 11) your alice books are on my wish list. are the alice books too old for me? are only some of them ? if so, which one or ones ?

Phyllis replied:

Only some of them. You are certainly old enough for The Agony of Alice, Alice in Rapture Sort Of, and Reluctantly Alice. Happy Birthday!

Posted on: July 8, 2009

High School Isn’t That Much Different

Question:

i would like to offer up advice to girl whose nervous of high school. A lot of people are also afraid even if they don’t admit it. Just remember you aren’t the only one. When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed just know that you made it through junior high and high school isn’t that much different. Just take it period by period and remember to breath when you start to feel sick. You probably will still have friends with you and if you don’t you will probably make a lot once you are there. And no matter how bad things get just remember things will get better in the end. I hope this advice helps at least a little.

Phyllis replied:

It’s wonderful when readers help out, and I really appreciate your reply. For me, high school was a lot better than junior high. I got stomach aches during math all through seventh and eighth grades, and even though the high school building was four times the size of the junior high, I found the classes a lot more fun and interesting.

Posted on: July 8, 2009

Can You Come to San Diego?

Question:

My name is Dania. I’ve been reading your books since I was in 5th grade. I was at the library when I saw Alice in Blunderland. I just skimmed it and put it back on the shelf. The next week I decided to give it a shot…ever since then I’ve been reading your books.
My question is, is it possible to come to San Diego and do a book signing at a library?

Phyllis replied:

Oh, I wish I could, because I love San Diego. But there are a zillion cities to visit in the world and only one of me.

Posted on: July 8, 2009

Girl on the Cover

Question:

I was wondering if you know the name of the girl who is on the Alice book covers?
I would like to know.

Phyllis replied:

No, I’m sorry but I don’t. Except for the earlier books, it’s a different model each time.

Posted on: July 8, 2009