Alice on Her Way

Alice #17

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Freedom! It's the moment Alice has been looking forward to for years -- her sixteenth birthday is coming up, and that means getting her driver's licence, with the freedom that entails. And before that important milestone, there's another delicious taste of freedom awaiting Alice and her friends -- a class trip to New York City, promising some serious partying once chaperones have gone to bed. But sophomore year and driving lessons are a lot harder than Alice thought they would be, and then there's the problem with her new boyfriend, who is sometimes too attached to her. The older Alice gets, the more complicated her life seems to become.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Banned Books, Childrens, Teen, Chick Lit

322 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Phyllis 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.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yaay! Alice attends the Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality class at her church--Cedar Lane. Thanks for spreading the UU/UCC gospel, Ms. Naylor.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because this is the most recent Alice book I've read I have to take this time to praise this series! I LOVE the Alice series! I grew up with Alice. I just recently discovered that the author had written four books I hadn't read in the last three years. I kind of forgot about Alice my Sophomore year and then this summer I picked them up again! I have learned so much from reading these books and Alice is my favorite character from any book I have read. I have always wanted her as a friend. I liked Phyliss Reynolds Naylor because she wasn't afraid of putting sexual stuff in her books. Because of it I have learned so much stuff that I wouldn't have learned from my parents. The books are interesting and insightful and deal with almost anything you could think of. From bullying to suicide to divorce to sex to gay/lesbians to abuse to cancer to drugs to teenage love to prejudice these books will teach you as much as they will entertain you as you laugh and cry and love with Alice.
So anyway this particular Alice book (I think there are 15 or something like that) is one of the most grown up ones. Alice turns 16 and gets her license, goes to New York and gets a new boyfriend who is a bit too obsesive and is always talking about marriage. I really enjoyed this particular Alice book. Like so many before this Alice book kept me wanting more after every chapter. I can't stop and I hope soo much that the author continues to write them!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one I got at a local book fair but I was so busy and kinda forgot it. Although recently when I was cleaning I saw it and decided to read it. I may or may not of lost track of time because I was so intrigued with this book. I am so happy I read it. I highly recommend this.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Alice book and I understand why they are so popular![return][return]Excited about her sixteenth birthday, finally being able to drive, and kissing her boyfriend without braces, Alice feels like she will be practically an adult in a matter of months, yet when she is forced to attend a class on sexuality at the local church by her father, Alice comes to realize that being an adult isn't actually based on a driver's license.

[Jaddey Cabrera]

best book ever love this series

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice has a new boyfriend! I figured she would eventually get together with Sam since he first had a crush on her in eighth grade. The book does a great job explaining how a high school boyfriend can be smothering as they learn about dating. I was proud of Alice for being honest with her feelings.

Alice's idolization of Patrick continues. Just because he's finishing high school in three years (which I'm not sure is a good idea), it doesn't mean he's better than her.

The book is pretty heavy on sexual topics. Alice's experimentation with Sam is typical and pretty graphic. Though Pamela's experiences are common for many teenage girls, her behavior is clearly related to her parental difficulties so are always a little sad.

I never understood why Alice always says "marry" instead of "get married." For example, it always sounds odd when Alice says "Will Lester ever marry?" Marilyn marries someone besides Lester in her early 20s which is pretty common in these books. Ben is the only one who thinks Lester is too young to marry anyone. Of course Alice mentions she always thought Marilyn would get married in a field barefoot - she's probably said this in every book since Marilyn and Lester started dating.

Alice in high school is a little boring so I loved to see her sneak out on a school trip to New York and have some alcohol without freaking out.

This book is pretty action packed compared to some of the later books even though some parts are a bit boring.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, I'm jealous of Alice. She got her license soon after being sixteen! I've been sixteen for over a month and I haven't even gotten my permit! Hopefully with time. Anyway, though, I like that Alice is now officially the same age as me. It's pretty cool. Going to enjoy this and the next book before she grows older than me (ah, I'll catch up eventually though - no rush).
I wished that Pamela would be more open with her mom, but they're finally making progress. I feel for Pamela. The reasons she's so wild sometimes... She's a little broken inside. I'm so glad that Faith is finally rid of that vile Ron. I just don't get how she could let him treat her like that.
Sam Mayer was so, so, sweet and honestly I don't agree with Alice making the decision to let him go. He was amazing in every way. I get how Alice feels, but she was one lucky girl. I guess Patrick is cool too and she might end up with him again.
Wow... Marilyn is married and Crystal is a mom. I don't really get why a few years made such a big difference to Lester, either. Couldn't they have waited a little, dated a little longer?
I also got to go on a school trip to NY - in eighth grade - and since I live in MD like Alice, the bus ride was very reminiscent. Of course, I didn't do anything close to as wild as what Alice and her friends did.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an improvement over Including Alice, noteworthy for its sex positivity and depiction of awkward high school relationships. Alice has to deal with her new boyfriend, Sam, who is a little too clingy and into her. It's a good depiction of the weird awkwardness of high school relationships, where you're still trying to feel comfortable in your own skin while balancing the needs and desires of someone else.

One thing that dates these books in that everyone wants to get married in their early 20s. Alice's brother Lester is 23, and two of his ex-girlfriends are married (and they both dumped him because he wasn't ready for marriage), and Alice and all her friends seem pretty stoked on the idea of getting married at that age. The antiquation doesn't bother me because I'm reading these books for pure nostalgia value (and because PRN was born in the 1920s) but it is an odd and long-lasting fixation in the Alice series.

[Melody Loomis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Alice book. In this one, the gang is looking forward to a class trip to New York and things get kind of wild. I was kind of annoyed at Pamela for the way she kept treating her mom. I know she’s angry, but at some point, this girl really needs to let it go. Alice meanwhile is dating Sam now, but toward the end of the book, he started annoying me as much as he was annoying Alice! I think Alice made the right choice in the end.

[Kathrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still liked the installment and to get a glimpse in Alice's life but I am not sure if I am getting too old for these novels or if the spark is just missing from the later installments. I will still continue with the series and read the remaining installments.

[Joselyn Ornelas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was something different from what I usually read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bet Naylor gets her ideas for story arcs from real girls. Alice has so much happening to her it's almost unbelievable, and her friends keep getting major life events thrown at them, too.

[Chandni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Alice novel. A lot happens to her (she gets her driver's license, drinks alcohol, dates Sam), and she learns a lot about herself.

[Grace Messi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great part of the series

[Brand New Millennium · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books! I love the reality of it!

[Tsippora · Rating 3 out of 5]

for some reason, a lot more enjoyable than the past few have been. which is encouraging.

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! Growing up fast!

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Knobby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alice gets a new boyfriend. She learns how to drive in anticipation of becoming 16 and goes on an overnight field trip with her class to NYC, where she and her friends get into some shenanigans. Alice's dad signs her up for a sex ed class at her local church.

Book takes place: Spring semester of 10th grade.
Alice's life lessons: Respect yourself and respect your partner. And if you don't respect yourself or your partner, maybe you shouldn't be with them.
Best Alice moment(s): Pamela as a head; Sam's mother cooking dinner; dress shopping with Sylvia; the trip's chaperones taping up the hotel room doors; Lester's new girlfriend.

Alice starts going out with Sam, who is a stage-5 clinger. She explores him sexually (but is still very innocent -- all above the waist and hardly any bare skin), but happily she dumps him after she realizes he's way too serious about her. The crew goes to NYC and Alice has her first cocktail at 15. I would say that this is unrealistic but hey, I didn't get my first drink until I was 20, so she beat me there.

Alice's father signs her up for a sex ed class at church, which is actually pretty cool. It's not abstinence-only education; it's a way for the teens to learn that sex is a part of life, but only in certain circumstances (respecting yourself is one of the biggies). Alice makes new acquaintances there, but for the most part her crew stays the same.

Faith's boyfriend Ron goes too far and cracks her face against a car; she loses 2 teeth. Faith finally presses charges and dumps his ass. I liked the story arc of Faith's emotionally-and-escalatingly-physically-abusive boyfriend for the young-women crowd who read these books.

Lester's new girlfriend Tracy is a fun new character. Sharp and witty and also a different race, which makes me happy because most of the people in this version of Silver Spring are white. Marilyn gets married to Jack and there goes another one of Lester's girlfriends. Crystal has a baby, which doesn't necessarily mean that her marriage to Peter is doing better, but at least she's moving forward...

When a book gets bigger like this, with a larger ensemble cast, it's harder to feel like we're keeping tabs on the people we already know. Elizabeth's character got a little flatter: she is a friendly face and she's excited about Ross, and now we know she enjoys a Cosmopolitan. Pamela's mother takes over Pamela's life, so most of Pamela's drama has to do with her altercations with her parents. I did like how Pamela fooled around with a senior, though, and then learned that sex doesn't mean that you're special to someone: he drops her quickly. And haven't we all known a girl who learned this lesson the hard way and it broke her heart? I love how PRN writes in lessons (not super preachily) about how people behave.

Alice fails her driving test twice before she finally passes, and huzzah, Alice is a bonafide teenager now with her driver's license. Hence, she is "on her way..."

[Lauren Pence · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is about alice and her friends throughout their sophomore year of high school. alice seems like an average person with not much to do or anything interesting. alice is experiencing lots of new things this school year such as, she has a new boyfriend, her dad just got re-married, and she is preparing with her friends for the trip to New York with their school. The book evolves around their school and after school life, and basically consists of her hanging out with her boyfriend, sam, all the time, and gossiping with friends. On the New York trip that they take, alice and her best friends that she rooms with, plan to sneak out and explore and that is what they have been waiting for. they meet up their guy friends and sneak out of the hotel and take the subway, and walk around, and they get into a bar. the author seemed to center the story around this trip that they take, and the fun that the teenagers try to have. they deeply enjoyed the trip, doing things such as taking a jog in central park, going to the United Nations, going to ellis island, and learning about the history and the city itself. after the trip, alice ends up breaking up with sam because he was too clingy. throughout the rest of the story, alice focuses on driving, because she just turned 16. she failed her driving test 2 times and finally passed on the 3rd time. The ending of the story consisted of alice and her family going to the wedding of a family friend, which seemed to be weird to add into the story.
teenage girls would be most interested in this book, because in the book it evolves around high school and a group of girls that are all friends, so i feel like it would be easier to relate and understand. and boys don't enjoy books about high school and drama.
i do not recommend this book and i did not like it at all. the book seemed to be all over the place, with settings changing quickly and pointless stuff added in that was not needed. the summary on the back of the book was misleading, it talked about the school trip to New York and a night out for the kids, and it made the book seem like that was what it was about. but it was not, and the trip to New York only consisted of 3 chapters out of 25. the book overall was dumb and not interesting at all to read.

[Jaemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Alice leaves behind the realm of tween-hood and heads toward sweet 16, the stories in her life take on less of a laugh-out-loud tone and turn more serious. Of course, growing up is only funny in retrospect, and were I younger I might not find Alice so funny to begin with.

Picking up about where we left off with the last book, Alice's dad is now married to her old English teacher, Lester has moved out of the house and makes only rare appearances, and she's back in the realm of the single. Most of the year is spent in worry: about her friend Pamela, about learning to drive and getting her license, about a friend who has an abusive boyfriend. And as her father saw fit to enroll her in a class at church entitled "Our Whole Lives," there is also a fair amount of thought about sex.

Furious at first, and sure she would hate the class, Alice finds she actually enjoys it, and learns a lot. As her friends take off into hasty decisions, she finds herself with a groundwork to think about not only what she chooses to do, but what they've chosen to do, and the later impact those decisions will have. Since her mother died when she was young and her stepmother is still new, this is probably the most "comfortable" way that she could ask the questions she might otherwise have been afraid to ask--and maybe that has something to do with why her father signed her up.

In the end, Pamela and her mother come to an uneasy truce, as Pamela realizes the strain her mother has been under, the friend with the abusive relationship sees the light after things take a truly violent turn, and Alice decides that driving is not the be all end all--although she does eventually pass her test. And while I'm not sure she ever admitted it to her dad, she loved her class, and passed on most of her learnings to her friends, who in the end found themselves wishing they'd been in the class with her.

I look forward to seeing where the rest of High School will lead her.

[Xiao Yan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Alice is really on her way, she is already a sophomore, and she’s 16, still troubling over algebra, getting excited about her driver’s license and the best part, going to New York alone on a school trip with no parents and last but not least finding a date for a dance. yeppie for Alice!! Alice just broke up with Patrick, but now Sam asked her to go!!!!! It all started when Sam asked Alice to help with a newspaper assignment and then at the end of the assignment, Sam finally asked Alice. She just knows she has a date for the dance. (I think he liked Alice the whole time, even when she was with Patrick.) With that going on, her friends also managed to get dates as well!!! Woah!!! Two boys and one girl like a love triangle. But after the dance, Alice realizes that she really likes Sam. After the dance, it’s their trip to New York!!!!!!!!! The girls’ gets excited about how they would sneak out of the hotel at night and go to clubs. It does seem like Alice has a lot going on in her life. I think that this book was really fun and easy and interesting to read because of how it is based on a teenager's life. And how crazy her life is, probably similar to many other teenagers to. It was a really good book!

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is back in the spirit of the Alice I know and love. Alice is a sophomore now, and she and her friends are dealing with all sorts of new issues. Alice is taking a class called "Our Whole Lives" at her church - about sex and sexuality. Pamela is dealing with the return of her wayward mother. And Alice has a new boyfriend - Sam - who adores her.

Unsurprisingly, I love Alice and the relationship she has with her friends. Pamela, Elizabeth, Gwen and the other girls in Alice's circle of friends are all unique and distictive individuals, and it is always a pleasure to read about such diverse people.

My trouble in this book was Sam, Alice's new boyfriend. Alice talks like she's crazy about him, but her narrative never seems as enthralled. And as a reader, his clinginess and demands on her time and attention were a HUGE turnoff for me. I kept wondering how she could still be putting up with him - and even when I thought she was finally noticing how clingy and irritating he was, she would comment on how much she enjoyed being with him. It was a little jarring, I think.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soon to be 16 and driving Alice has a big sophomore year. She begins dating Sam who's also on the newspaper. This new relationship excites her, especially when Sam pushes the limits of Alice's sexual experience.
In fear of Alice moving too quickly with Sam, her father signs her up for a sex ed class through his church. At first, Alice is infuriated, but after attending a few sessions she is grateful for the knowledge she gains and the openness with which the instructors approach the subject.

Meanwhile, a big school trip to New York has Pamela engaging in some risky sexual behaviors. Lester begins seeing an African American woman he meets through the university and the whole family (Lester included) attends Marilyn's wedding.

One of the stronger books in the Alice series as it provides a lot of information through the sex ed class Alice takes that I'm sure teen readers will benefit from.

I really appreciated that Alice struggled with obtaining her driver's license. I think it made her more relatable as a main character than it would have if she would've been born the best driver ever and easily passed the test.

Recommended for teen girls grades 9 and up.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

November 2019 reread.
September 2023 reread.

I feel for Pamela in this book. Her “outgoing” behavior is a realistic response to her family situation and the turmoil she is feeling. I thought Faith’s problematic relationship was resolved pretty quickly and conveniently. Not sure how realistic that was. I like her and am sorry we didn’t see more drama club in this book - after chapters devoted to last years production in Simply Alice, we only get a few pages here. I was glad to see Alice’s relationship with Sam run it’s course in one book. They were a mismatch and it was mature of Alice to realize that and break things off.

Highlight of this book were the birthday surprise and Marilyn’s wedding.

Lester’s new girlfriend Tracy is introduced in this book and we get the first hints about Molly’s health.

Oh, and just what kind of church does Alice go to?!? The course she’s enrolled in is taught from a secular and progressive worldview with no mention of God, Jesus, or historic/orthodox/traditional Christian values. It was an odd choice to place the class in a church.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alice, about to turn 16, has a new boyfriend who is too clingy, is desperate to get her driver's license and flunks the driving test twice, and deals with questions and issues regarding sexuality in part because of a class her father signed her up for at church, and in part due to the actions of friends. At first she's mad about the class, but ends up finding it informative and useful in being more clear about her own sexual values. Alice and her friends help another girl who is being physically abused by her boyfriend to make a break from him. Very minor LGBT themes: her friend Lori comes to the school dance with her girlfriend, and on a trip to NYC when Alice and some friends sneak out at night, they end up at a bar frequented by transvestites--which they realize when they hear a male voice in the bathroom. Naylor is on-target with the range of concerns of teens, and Alice is, as always, wholesome.

[Abigail Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alice On Her Way combines the elements of both romance and humor fiction. This book had scenes that included sexual content and was centered around the ideas of sex. Some other characteristics that make Alice On Her Way considered for banning is that the book contains foul language. Some of the conversations that the girls have in this book are a little out there because most of it is about hooking up with guys and talking about their boyfriends. Another thing that makes this book considered for banning is the "Our Whole Lives" class because it's centered on sex, relationships and other things that happen in high school. Although the main plot of this book may seem inappropriate, I believe it helps kids know what high school is about and what to expect from it. I do understand why this book was banned but think that it was taken too far and maybe shouldn't be banned because it's a good read and helpful for younger kids.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was great! Alice is about to turn 16, and there are so many things happening in her life. She's started dating Sam, she's going on a school trip to NYC, and she's practicing her driving skills so she can get her license. Oh, and I didn't mention the best part. Her dad signed her up for a class at church titled "Our Whole Lives," which is a sex-ed class that addresses important topics like communication, orientation, gender issues, values, and more.

I loved every minute of the book - every situation was believable and teens could learn a lot from a class like Our Whole Lives. And the trip to NYC was hilarious - sneaking out of the hotel, going to a bar and having a few sips of a Cosmopolitan.

[Angela Pan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice and Patrick broke up. Then Alice starts dating Sam. Her dad sign Alice up for a class in the church call "Our Whole Life" in the class they talking about sex and similar stuff. At first Alice was mad at her dad for signing her up for this class but she ends up liking it. Pamela doesn't like her mother because she left her and her dad for another guy. Her mom is trying very hard to make Pamela like her again.

Alice have typical high school girls problems. Sometimes she finds a good solution but sometimes she doesn't. She and her friends are always there for each other when they need help. But sometimes Alice worries too much. Alice kind of remind me of myself.