Go Ask Alice

By: Anonymous

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Life at 15 isn't easy for a girl if she's shy and hates the way she looks. Each day is heaven or hell, depending on who talks to her, or who doesn't. So when she's finally accepted by a group, she doesn't refuse their party games, even if it means taking LSD. Soon she's taking little pills to wake up and others to go to sleep, and the days begin to blur. Leaving the secure, middle-class circle of her family, she travels into a nightmare realm of hustlers and dealers. Homeless, driven by drug highs and lows, she sometimes tries to regain control over her life. But it's much easier to just get high again.

Based on a 15-year-old's diary, Go Ask Alice is the intimate account of one girl's fatal journey into the world of drug addiction. Poignant and unflinchingly honest, her story is a tragedy that is repeated in towns and cities across the country.

©2006 Lee Smith (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary work....a document of horrifying reality." (The New York Times Book Review)

Good book to discuss drugs

Any additional comments?

This is a good book to read about a good girl who got caught up with bad people.I read this book when I was a teen . Now ,I listened to it in my car with my kids age 7,10,12 all boys. We stopped the book many times to discuss and open the discussion on drugs.The boys really liked it and saw the tragedy that can result from getting involved in drugs.And since it is a true story and in diary form the kids could relate to author.Great book to help walk in someone else shoes and learn from their mistakes.I do highly recommend .

not horrible....

This book was not bad. I found it to be very educational in a way. Very morbid ending and definitely unexpected :(

Must read coming of age novel!

This book was recommended to me years ago by a young man in his 20's whom I worked with. At the time I had one coming of age daughter and another one just a few years away. I wanted to talk to my daughters about the consequences of drug use and inform them of how drug addiction does not discriminate and about how easy an innocent person can go out for an evening of what they thought was harmless fun and have the course of their life changed forever. Substance abuse affects individuals of all classes, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds. This novel helped me to convey this message to my girls without it sounding like a lecture. This book moved my eldest daughter so much that four years later when my youngest daughter was 12 my eldest reminded me that her sister should read this book like my eldest had to help her prepare for some of the temptations in the world. Just keep in mind that there is strong content in this book as it talks about sex, drugs, cruelty, violence and death. However, as a substance abuse counselor, I assure you that most middle and junior high students have already acquired the knowledge on the topics that are discussed in this book.

Great insight

Page turner, disappointed with the end but the rest was a great story. Recommended for sure.

....

I really liked it and I'm sad that it had to end the way it did

A tragic and enlightening ride

My son borrowed this book from school and so I got the audio book to follow along. It tugged on so many different heartstrings as an educator, parent, and sibling. I kept hoping all the way to the end.

Flash Back

Reminded me of my flower child/hippy days.
I could relate to almost everything she wrote in her diary.

Left wanting more....great read

For a journal turned into a novel , this book was edited quite well. I was able to place myself into the characters struggles and turmoil. The details of specific places were added in a way where it seemed like a natural description of the scenery from the journal author not an editor adding them later to help draw in the reader. I would recommend to most. However, I think it may have a trigger effect on certain people. I suggest caution when ther reader is struggling with early sobriety and being treated for mental illness diagnoses or disorders. I think a quick consult with your doctor or health specialist may be helpful before you begin ther book.

Just ok

the writer seems to have done a fairly good job of capture early teenage drug use but the overall tone of the book came off as a warning story for middle class youth

amazing

I think every teen should read this it shows just how easy it is to fall and the emotional roller-coaster of being a teen and over thinking things a teen shouldn't have to do alone I give it a 5 through and through ill never forget Alice