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Description
In this teenage coming-of-age story, thirteen-year-old Alice decides to put her life in order by tackling a surprising first priority: persuading her beloved teacher, Miss Summers, to marry her father. The plan gets complicated when the school's vice principal also sets his sights on Miss Summers, and Alice finds herself caught between helping her dad and navigating her own confusing feelings. As she wrestles with the question of whether someone can love two people at once, she meets Sam, a quiet and talented dancer from Camera Club who makes her question her long-standing relationship with boyfriend Patrick. Through these overlapping romances and family expectations, Alice learns that sorting out priorities isn't as simple as making a list.
Quick Summary
If you've ever been through the maze of crushes, awkward moments, and figuring out what actually matters in life, Alice's story feels like talking to someone who gets it. Naylor has this gift for capturing what it's really like to be thirteen the way your heart can feel huge one minute and embarrassing the next without making it feel preachy or fake. This installment stands out because Alice isn't just dealing with typical middle school drama; she's actively trying to figure out her priorities and what kind of person she wants to be, which gives the book a real emotional depth beyond just the romance stuff. Kids who enjoy humor mixed with genuine heart will probably connect with Alice, and it's especially good for readers who like stories that feel like they could actually happen to them. Parents will appreciate that it tackles real teen issues in a way that's age-appropriate and often funny, though there are moments that might hit close to home for anyone who's remember being that age. If you've read other Alice books, this one leans more into the romantic side but still has plenty of her signature relatable chaos. Fans of the series will want to pick this up, and newcomers could start here too, though the earlier books give more background on Alice's friendships and family dynamics.