Lovingly Alice

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Atheneum Books, $15.95 (166pp) ISBN 978-0-689-84399-0

Fans of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Alice series here find the fifth-grader navigating new trials and dramas in Lovingly Alice. She learns from her father (begrudgingly) about periods and discusses sex at a slumber party (later poor Dad must clear up the confusion); she also must cope with the death of her beloved cat, Oatmeal. Naylor once again deals with these pivotal issues in a child's life with humor and compassion. .

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