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Al #1
A Girl Called Al
A seventh-grade girl, her slightly fat girl friend, Al, and the assistant superintendent of their apartment building form a mutually needed friendship with the usual--and a few unusual--joys and sorrows.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
8 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Constance C. Greene
28 books17 followersBorn on October 27th, 1924, Constance C. Greene, the daughter of newspaper reporters, published A Girl Called Al (Viking, 1969) the story about a very intelligent girl who is an under-achiever and latch key kid, although Greene says that at the time of the writing the term wasn't being used yet. Al was a likable character and other books followed.
One of Greene's most popular books, Beat the Turtle Drum (Viking 1976), came from personal experience. At the age of eleven, Greene's sister died. The story relates how a young girl learns to cope with the accidental death of her sister. The book was adapted for television in 1976 as Very Good Friends and was shown on the ABC After-school Special.
Greene also wrote other juvenile and adult novels, among them Nora: Maybe a Ghost Story and Isabelle the Itch.
—Leslie Greaves Radloff
One of Greene's most popular books, Beat the Turtle Drum (Viking 1976), came from personal experience. At the age of eleven, Greene's sister died. The story relates how a young girl learns to cope with the accidental death of her sister. The book was adapted for television in 1976 as Very Good Friends and was shown on the ABC After-school Special.
Greene also wrote other juvenile and adult novels, among them Nora: Maybe a Ghost Story and Isabelle the Itch.
—Leslie Greaves Radloff
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 19, 2018
A Girl Called Al is the story of two tween girls, Alexandra, called Al, and her new friend, the unnamed narrator, who lives down the hall from her in their apartment building. In many ways, the two girls are quite different. Al has lived in many different places and has a single mom whom she claims not to love as much as her absentee father. Her friend has a more traditional family life - mom, dad, and younger brother - and a more traditional outlook on life in general than noncomfortist Al, who wishes to take wood shop instead of sewing and doesn't seem to care what other people think about her. The two girls spend a lot of time together, as well as with their building superintendent, who serves as a surrogate grandfather for both of them and helps them build a bookshelf.
I totally missed this series as a kid. I knew the books existed, and frequently saw them on library shelves, but I just never felt drawn to them. As an adult, though, I am intrigued by both the text, with its quirky characters, and the illustrations which, to my surprise, were drawn by Byron Barton of picture book fame. (Except for the cover. That's by JoAnne Scribner, who also did covers for the Ramona books.) I like the way the illustrations reflect Al's unique look and personality, and how they perfectly suit the sometimes-funny, sometimes-poignant tone of the story. The pictures are a bit unusual-looking, but that only makes sense for a book about an offbeat heroine.
The story itself is funny at certain points and poignant at others. There isn't necessarily a very strong story arc, but just spending time with these girls and seeing how their friendship impacts their lives is enough to sustain readers' interest for 130 pages. I also appreciate that although Al is an unusual character, the author doesn't spend the whole book calling attention to her strangeness. Unlike something like Stargirl, which beats readers over the head with its protagonist's noncomformity, this book just lets it unfold in Al's actions and allows the reader to draw her own conclusions based on the narrator's descriptions. I was reminded a little bit of Me and Fat Glenda as I was reading, possibly because Al is described several times as "a little on the fat side," but Al is less of a dubious friend than Glenda and she is more likable overall. A Girl Called Al also seems to be largely free of the bullying and mean girl tropes that often infiltrate books of this type. There is a little bit of taunting, but it is mostly peripheral to the main story.
There are six Al books in all, and I plan to read as many of the rest as I can. They have a nostalgic charm about them that I really enjoy, and I'm curious to see how Al changes as she continues to grow up.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
I totally missed this series as a kid. I knew the books existed, and frequently saw them on library shelves, but I just never felt drawn to them. As an adult, though, I am intrigued by both the text, with its quirky characters, and the illustrations which, to my surprise, were drawn by Byron Barton of picture book fame. (Except for the cover. That's by JoAnne Scribner, who also did covers for the Ramona books.) I like the way the illustrations reflect Al's unique look and personality, and how they perfectly suit the sometimes-funny, sometimes-poignant tone of the story. The pictures are a bit unusual-looking, but that only makes sense for a book about an offbeat heroine.
The story itself is funny at certain points and poignant at others. There isn't necessarily a very strong story arc, but just spending time with these girls and seeing how their friendship impacts their lives is enough to sustain readers' interest for 130 pages. I also appreciate that although Al is an unusual character, the author doesn't spend the whole book calling attention to her strangeness. Unlike something like Stargirl, which beats readers over the head with its protagonist's noncomformity, this book just lets it unfold in Al's actions and allows the reader to draw her own conclusions based on the narrator's descriptions. I was reminded a little bit of Me and Fat Glenda as I was reading, possibly because Al is described several times as "a little on the fat side," but Al is less of a dubious friend than Glenda and she is more likable overall. A Girl Called Al also seems to be largely free of the bullying and mean girl tropes that often infiltrate books of this type. There is a little bit of taunting, but it is mostly peripheral to the main story.
There are six Al books in all, and I plan to read as many of the rest as I can. They have a nostalgic charm about them that I really enjoy, and I'm curious to see how Al changes as she continues to grow up.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
March 13, 2012
The first--and inho best of the series of "Al" books by Constance C. Greene. The young narrator--whose name is never given!--describes her new friend "Al" who just moved into the apartment down the hall.
Al(exandra---she NEVER uses her full name--soon because fast friends which our narrator and the two of them share stories and schooldays and make friends with the building superintendent.
It is well written, amusing and touching. Highly recommended for any child over age 10. Admittedly, it will probably appeal mostly to girls---but a few boys still might like it.
I read it as an adult--before giving it as a gift--and found it charming.
Read before I joined Goodreads so date read is unknown.
Al(exandra---she NEVER uses her full name--soon because fast friends which our narrator and the two of them share stories and schooldays and make friends with the building superintendent.
It is well written, amusing and touching. Highly recommended for any child over age 10. Admittedly, it will probably appeal mostly to girls---but a few boys still might like it.
I read it as an adult--before giving it as a gift--and found it charming.
Read before I joined Goodreads so date read is unknown.
September 27, 2021
A Girl Called Al is easily my favorite young adult novel of all time. I loved this book when I first read it as a 10 year old and I still love it over forty years later. The story is simple: we follow seventh graders Alexandra (or Al for short) and our unnamed narrator as they forge a friendship.
Al is a self-identified nonconformist. She's overweight. Wears glasses and pigtails. Isn't concerned about her looks. And really just wants to take shop instead of home economics so she can learn how to build a bookcase.
Al and her glamorous, single mother–who works in "Better Dresses" at a very nice department store downtown–have just moved a few doors down from our unnamed narrator in their luxury high-rise apartment building.
So, Al and our unnamed narrator become fast friends navigating the world around them and spending Saturday mornings with Mr. Richards (the building's elderly assistant superintendent) who teaches them how to build a bookcase between bouts of skate/polishing his kitchen floor, making his weird "dump" soup, and serving up butter and sugar toast with Coca-Cola "shooters".
The novel tackles friendship, body image, gender expectations, puberty, single motherhood, absentee fathers, and death in a short, breezy, optimistic read. Even though it's dated, the topics are still relevant today.
As a kid, I loved this book and it's sequel I Know You, Al. I especially loved it because of the quirky line drawings that illustrated the novel. They really captured the essence of the novel. The other books in the series weren't as good and didn't have the great cartoony illustrations.
Al is a self-identified nonconformist. She's overweight. Wears glasses and pigtails. Isn't concerned about her looks. And really just wants to take shop instead of home economics so she can learn how to build a bookcase.
Al and her glamorous, single mother–who works in "Better Dresses" at a very nice department store downtown–have just moved a few doors down from our unnamed narrator in their luxury high-rise apartment building.
So, Al and our unnamed narrator become fast friends navigating the world around them and spending Saturday mornings with Mr. Richards (the building's elderly assistant superintendent) who teaches them how to build a bookcase between bouts of skate/polishing his kitchen floor, making his weird "dump" soup, and serving up butter and sugar toast with Coca-Cola "shooters".
The novel tackles friendship, body image, gender expectations, puberty, single motherhood, absentee fathers, and death in a short, breezy, optimistic read. Even though it's dated, the topics are still relevant today.
As a kid, I loved this book and it's sequel I Know You, Al. I especially loved it because of the quirky line drawings that illustrated the novel. They really captured the essence of the novel. The other books in the series weren't as good and didn't have the great cartoony illustrations.
July 29, 2009
Like other reviewers, I read this over and over when I was in elementary and intermediate school. It's been at least twenty-five years since the last time, though, so I gave it another read today. I did not remember that the writing is pretty simple, with mostly short sentences. The short sentences really work here. I also did not remember how funny parts of it were.
Mostly, though, this is a sweet book about two friends just growing into pubescence. I love the naivete and the insecurity both main characters express, and I love that there are things the grownups say and do that I totally did not understand when I read this as a child but totally get now. It's cool the way this book works on those levels.
Not the favorite it once was, but still a good read, and it was nice to revisit.
Mostly, though, this is a sweet book about two friends just growing into pubescence. I love the naivete and the insecurity both main characters express, and I love that there are things the grownups say and do that I totally did not understand when I read this as a child but totally get now. It's cool the way this book works on those levels.
Not the favorite it once was, but still a good read, and it was nice to revisit.
December 10, 2020
My mother owned an older edition of this, a yellow covered with a bespectacled young girl on the front. I remember reading it when I was around 10 and just adoring the simple life of Al and her friends. I could relate to being quiet, and a bit chubby like Al. The story gave me a sense of comfort which is quite the feat for any book.
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April 26, 2023Throwback to my childhood reading favorites. I loved this series and am revisiting the books now!
August 12, 2011
I remember reading this when I was younger and enjoying it. I am interested in the unspoken messages that might not be obvious to readers of the target ages, but which almost seem didactic to the older reader. I wish I liked the girls more.
And, later, upon reflection: There are some obvious markers that this book was written a long time ago. Al, chubby at the start of the book, puts on even more weight, in order to gain the attention of her mother, but then, as a happy resolution, she loses 100 pounds. And both girls, according to the grandfather figure, are on their way to becoming pretty, an all important quality. The death of the grandfather figure brings about the resolution of Al's relationship with her father, acceptance of neglect, but it brings her mother closer. And, in all honesty, I am not sure how I feel about all of this. The semi-happy ending is realistic enough to be believable, but, as a person who struggles with weight control, I think the easy loss of 100 pounds is a bit TOO easy. And I wish there had been some goal other than being pretty.
The interest in building bookshelves was a bit too obvious as a plot device, although I remember being in exactly the same position when I was in junior high. My homeroom was in the shop and I wanted to take shop, rather than cooking and sewing, but it wasn't allowed. The girls had to learn to cook and sew ugly box-pleated skirts, while the boys learned to make bird-houses and lamps.
I still think the book is worthwhile enough for current upper elementary kids, but a discussion of the differences between now and then is probably warranted.
And, later, upon reflection: There are some obvious markers that this book was written a long time ago. Al, chubby at the start of the book, puts on even more weight, in order to gain the attention of her mother, but then, as a happy resolution, she loses 100 pounds. And both girls, according to the grandfather figure, are on their way to becoming pretty, an all important quality. The death of the grandfather figure brings about the resolution of Al's relationship with her father, acceptance of neglect, but it brings her mother closer. And, in all honesty, I am not sure how I feel about all of this. The semi-happy ending is realistic enough to be believable, but, as a person who struggles with weight control, I think the easy loss of 100 pounds is a bit TOO easy. And I wish there had been some goal other than being pretty.
The interest in building bookshelves was a bit too obvious as a plot device, although I remember being in exactly the same position when I was in junior high. My homeroom was in the shop and I wanted to take shop, rather than cooking and sewing, but it wasn't allowed. The girls had to learn to cook and sew ugly box-pleated skirts, while the boys learned to make bird-houses and lamps.
I still think the book is worthwhile enough for current upper elementary kids, but a discussion of the differences between now and then is probably warranted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2015
At twelve I would have loved this, but as an adult I thought the beginning was a bit slow. I did eventually find Al interesting. But I find the narrator even more some, I don't know why though.
This is an older print book, but I wasn't familiar with it. I am reviewing it as an advanced copy for e-books.
The story begins with the narrator, a young teen girl, who has befriended the new girl in school and in her apartment building. The narrator has no name given, her friend is Al short for Alexandra. The narrator has a kind of "Leave it to Beaver" family with a SAHM and little brother, who I can't figure out if there is something wrong with, or what? And, a dad who comes home and seems nice enough, but isn't very central. Al's parents are divorced, and her dad travels a lot for work and she never sees him. He sends her money and presents. Al's mom works at a dress store and goes out on dates a lot, and disapproved of Al's chubbiness.
Some normal girl things go on, like the narrator making unintentional unkind statements. But they make up, and all is well. Al considers herself a bit of a rebel. Then Al and the narrator befriend the old superintendent assistant, and he teaches them to build a shelf. He dies in the second half of the book. Which was sort of the excitement of the books. Then Al starts dieting and losing some weight, and her mom starts paying more attention to her.
Sentences are short, as well as the chapters, which works here. I would recommend this to tween girls.
This is an older print book, but I wasn't familiar with it. I am reviewing it as an advanced copy for e-books.
The story begins with the narrator, a young teen girl, who has befriended the new girl in school and in her apartment building. The narrator has no name given, her friend is Al short for Alexandra. The narrator has a kind of "Leave it to Beaver" family with a SAHM and little brother, who I can't figure out if there is something wrong with, or what? And, a dad who comes home and seems nice enough, but isn't very central. Al's parents are divorced, and her dad travels a lot for work and she never sees him. He sends her money and presents. Al's mom works at a dress store and goes out on dates a lot, and disapproved of Al's chubbiness.
Some normal girl things go on, like the narrator making unintentional unkind statements. But they make up, and all is well. Al considers herself a bit of a rebel. Then Al and the narrator befriend the old superintendent assistant, and he teaches them to build a shelf. He dies in the second half of the book. Which was sort of the excitement of the books. Then Al starts dieting and losing some weight, and her mom starts paying more attention to her.
Sentences are short, as well as the chapters, which works here. I would recommend this to tween girls.
May 1, 2015
Re-reading this book for the first time in almost two decades, I have to believe this was probably one of the first books I read with a truly feminist message. Al's word for it is "nonconformist", but it really boils down to "I refuse to look a certain way just because society says that's what's 'pretty'" and "I buy my own sweaters!" in the manner of Destiny's Child singing about buying their own diamond rings. "The shoes on my feet / I bought 'em!" In short, Al rocks pretty hard as a role model, but she also deals very realistic doubts and fears. She wrestles with loneliness from eating alone while her divorced mom dates around, with questions about why her dad sends cards and money but never visits, and why girls aren't allowed to take shop. (Hopefully that last part would seem pretty dated to millennials, though.) Most interestingly, though, Al is seen only through the eyes of a narrator, a classmate whose name we never learn, a point of view that underscores the importance of Al's persona: she's affecting the people around her as she declares her nonconformity.
August 31, 2015
This was never my favorite series of books as a kid, but I read each new one as it came out. Al and Friend lived such a different life than me, in the big city, that I thought them very sophisticated and worldly. Upon reading it again as an adult, there were lots of things to like. Al is a very unique and strong character, and the girls share a touching friendship with the building's assistant superintendent, Mr. Richards. Our narrator often has some very wry and funny observations about the puzzling world of adults and the ickiness of little brothers. I also love the cartoony, very 70ish illustrations.
Not so great? I am sure this is of the time, but lots is made of the girls and their looks, and Al's weight. And it drove me nuts then, and it still does now, that our poor story teller doesn't get a name! Gaaah! For some strange reason I always thought of her as a Patty, and I still do.
Not so great? I am sure this is of the time, but lots is made of the girls and their looks, and Al's weight. And it drove me nuts then, and it still does now, that our poor story teller doesn't get a name! Gaaah! For some strange reason I always thought of her as a Patty, and I still do.
July 10, 2012
I loved this book when I was younger; I thought it was really unique compared to most of the preteen novels out there. There is no fighting for popularity, the focus is not on getting boys to like you. When Al moves into her building, the main character (who is never named) at first thinks Al is too chubby to be friends with - but body image isn't the focus of the book, either. Al's weight is hardly mentioned, and she and the main character become best friends who spend a lot of time with the elderly superintendent of their building. I was pleased that this book was just as unique when I re-read it as an adult, as I had remembered from childhood.
August 20, 2012
Another old favorite from my childhood!
Alexandra just moved into the apartment building. She is our nameless narrator's new best friend. Al is a self-proclaimed nonconformist, from her pigtails to her fractured family (divorce). Al is intelligent and needs companionship. With our narrator, Al finds a friend and a sense of home.
After all of these years, this is still a charming story.
Alexandra just moved into the apartment building. She is our nameless narrator's new best friend. Al is a self-proclaimed nonconformist, from her pigtails to her fractured family (divorce). Al is intelligent and needs companionship. With our narrator, Al finds a friend and a sense of home.
After all of these years, this is still a charming story.
February 4, 2016
An oldie from my past, but I found the original hardcover at the university library, the yellow cover with the Byron Barton illustrations that I recall from my youth. I found the mix of traditional manners (inviting the neighbors to tea on good stationery) and contemporary mores (divorced working mom raising a precocious daughter) quaint by today's standards. Al still is an interesting bird, though, with her intellectual talk and logical ways.
August 6, 2011
Dated, but still rings true. Falls into that category of books where a nice, quiet girl befriends a weird, stand-offish new girl with a dysfunctional family and an unbelievably rich imagination who has just moved into the same apartment building or school. Also in this category: The Egypt Game, The Changeling, Afternoon of the Elves, etc., etc.
June 2, 2015
This was a rather interesting book. As I was reading, I wasn't sure if I would continue to find out what happens at the end, but I'm glad I had. I think that everyone has a friend like Al or has felt like Al at one point. This story was one that opened your eyes and showed support in a friendship is always key.
June 6, 2017
This was a comfort read; I adored this series when I was maybe 10 and 11-ish. It's very plainly written and not a whole lot happens, but it's enjoyable and realistic with a good narrative voice. This is one of the books that made me wonder about living in New York. The idea of having a friend just down the hall was so intriguing!
November 8, 2015
I read this book over and over when I was a kid so when I saw it at the library book sale for .25 I had to get it. Hopefully it's as good as I remembered.
Update-Just finished re-reading this. Ah...memories!
Update-Just finished re-reading this. Ah...memories!
March 19, 2018
I enjoyed the line drawings more than the text. I don't recall reading this when younger, as many more positive reviewers have done, so I don't have any emotional fondness for this book. It is a bit dated, but still has some relevance.
August 27, 2008
Al and friend. Adventures in pigtails, cooking and death. More by the same author!
January 14, 2009
One of my favorite books as a girl-
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December 7, 2009it was great and kinda sad
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August 9, 2011Narrated by an anonymous New York City girl, it's the story of her friendship with mildy eccentric and always amusing Al. Dry and funny.
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February 3, 2013Good
April 23, 2013
First book that my daughter and I both read at the same. A great mother/teen daughter read!
May 25, 2018
Well that was depressing.
December 26, 2020
I loved this book when I was a kid. Al brings a little worldliness to the narrator's life as the child of divorced parents living with her mother. Al is a proud non-conformist. She is also observant and insightful, wise beyond her years, presumably at least in part because she is a child of divorce.
This was the first time I read it as an adult, and I really enjoyed it. It was published in 1969, so I expected sexism. (The author bio refers to Constance C. Greene as "Mrs. Greene"). What I didn't remember was the fat shaming, and Al going on a diet, and losing a bunch of weight by the end of the book. As a kid I thought nothing of it. But then, fat shaming was (and still is) endemic to our culture, so it's no surprise that I was oblivious.
I admit the 4-star rating has a little to do with my feelings of nostalgia. Re-reading this book was like being reunited with an old friend.
This was the first time I read it as an adult, and I really enjoyed it. It was published in 1969, so I expected sexism. (The author bio refers to Constance C. Greene as "Mrs. Greene"). What I didn't remember was the fat shaming, and Al going on a diet, and losing a bunch of weight by the end of the book. As a kid I thought nothing of it. But then, fat shaming was (and still is) endemic to our culture, so it's no surprise that I was oblivious.
I admit the 4-star rating has a little to do with my feelings of nostalgia. Re-reading this book was like being reunited with an old friend.
May 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, some parts were dated but some where very modern. I adore Al, she wears what she wants because she’s a “nonconformist “ I cackled. Poor Al’s mom is out every night dating and leaving her alone. Also her mom tells her she is gross because she’s chubby……😡😡😡 The young girls in the story talk a lot about how physical looks do not make people good people and how it’s the inside that matters, which I feel is a very mature view of others. The girls befriend the building sup and he becomes a grandfather figure. Which I think is sweet. I enjoyed this little middle grade.
June 28, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and the others in the series when I was a kid in the '80s, so I decided to revisit them. However, it wasn't nearly as fun and interesting as it was when I was a kid. In fact, it was kind of boring. I was planning on rereading them all, but now I'm rethinking that plan.
January 1, 2019
I thought that the illustrations were very charming. The story reminded me of movies like "The World of Henry Orient". I liked the way the main character thought. Could have had more contractions though, characters felt robotic at times. Sometimes it worked though.
May 28, 2020
I loved this book - story about friendship....about girls friendship that's real and spoke to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews