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Go Ask Alice by Anonymous Magazine

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“This will be a good trip. Come on, relax, enjoy it.” This is how it started. Alice, once a shy, innocent girl, is sucked into the heartless world of drugs because of her need to be accepted. She did not plan for this to happen; she didn’t even know it was happening, but the people who drugged her drink unknowingly began the whirlpool that would soon trap Alice. The first culprit? A soda, laced with LSD.

Alice is a 15-year-old with long straight hair and a passion for the beauty of life. After that fateful day, however, her mood – whether wild, funny, happy, loving, depressed, or lonely – depends on drugs. Though drugs, or lack thereof, change Alice’s way of thinking, all she really wants is to be happy and loved; isn’t that what we all want?

After Alice is secretly drugged at a party, she awakens to the exciting adventure that life seems to have become. She starts experimenting with other hard drugs and begins to lose her sanity and grip on reality. Even after deciding to quit the drug scene, it seems as if the curse (which started as a game) will always be present in her life and ultimately cause her death.

I would recommend this book to teens and adults. I think it should be required reading in high schools. Since this is about a teen struggling with addiction and the social pressures of the drug world, it is a real eye-opener to anyone who is already struggling and for those who may be confronted with the option to use.

This book is extremely intense and opens the reader’s mind to the devastating effects of drugs. The main character describes her “trips” in such vivid and realistic detail that her story comes alive.

Magazine This piece has been published in Teen Ink’s monthly print magazine.




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This article has 145 comments. Post your own!

Lillie M. VIP said...
Feb. 7 at 1:59 am:

This was a great article reviewing a great book! But it's true, you never find out what the girl's name is, since she's the one writing the book. The title is a reference to Alice In Wonderland.

 
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wordlover27VIP said...
Jan. 29 at 3:58 pm:

It sounds like a really interesting book...I've heard about it before but I've never read it

 
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minimuffins said...
Jan. 4 at 11:19 pm:

in the story, the girl's name isnt alice, dont let the title fool you. you don't know the name of her, and thats what's best about this book. the title comes from a Jefferson Airplane song, "Go Ask Alice" and also reverts back to the childhood tale of "Alice in Wonderland", which, surprisingly, is all about drugs told in a way children would like. anyway, you dont know the names of anyone in the book.

 
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beautifulspiritVIP said...
Dec. 29, 2011 at 7:44 pm:

I liked your article---this book would have been great to read in school alongside A Separate Peace and Catcher in the Rye. I would say that this book set the tone---the expose if you will on how that need and desire to feel accepted by one's peers affects teenagers and adolescents. It's a confusing time and I believe this book will leave an unforgettable impression in someone's life.

 
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Mjjames2016VIP said...
Dec. 21, 2011 at 9:34 am:

My dad gave me this book when i was 11 years old, (My mom waas...you can get the picture) I loved reading your interpration of the book and the article was as gripping as the book.

 
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greenwolfVIP said...
Nov. 11, 2011 at 9:05 pm:

Personally I found this book to be too scare-tactic and not that gripping. I'm not sure if it's based on actual diaries as it claims. However, your review of it was good, if a little short and it made it seem a lot better then I personally thought it was.

 
carter123 replied...
Nov. 27, 2011 at 5:30 pm :

Please keep your comments positive and constructive. We'll remove anything inappropriate. Thanks!

 
gelle replied...
Dec. 5, 2011 at 11:39 am :

I met the author of this book a few years ago.  It was actually done by the mother.  I am not sure if she wanted to be more anonymous or  if she felt it would be accepted more at that time by a father figure. Anyway, I got to visit with her.  She still, after those many years, could feel the pain of losing her daughter in such an awful way.  It was her desire that no other mother have to go through what she went through or any child go through what her daughter did. ... (more »)

 
Duckie430VIP replied...
Dec. 27, 2011 at 10:53 am :

I don't think it matters whether or not the book is real; it could be a true story & young people can still learn from it. It's a great book, & good review on it as well.

 
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esthert said...
Nov. 11, 2011 at 9:03 am:

i don't think her name was alice...? the book is just called that. the main character is anonymous

 
Mari replied...
Nov. 11, 2011 at 11:09 am :

The book was named after the Jefferson Airplane song, "White Rabbit." Even though the real author is Anonymous, the editor is listed as the owner for copy right's sake (her name is Beatrice Sparks).

 
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PaolaCrayola said...
Nov. 11, 2011 at 8:17 am:

yes the girl is real but her father didnt publish it... If you do your research it states that we dont really know who wrote it (although there is an idea of the author) that's why it's anonymous...

 
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ArianaFeVIP said...
Nov. 11, 2011 at 12:23 am:

Nice review, useful too.wanna read the book...

 
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Tristen D. VIP said...
Nov. 4, 2011 at 8:56 pm:

im 14 and my mom made me read this and it dermasticly changed my out look on life

 

 
raindance72VIP replied...
Nov. 11, 2011 at 6:38 pm :

dermasticly?

I hope that was supposed to be funny.

 
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SONIAH said...
Oct. 29, 2011 at 7:30 pm:

this book is awesome !!!!!  I read it when i was like 17 and i'm now 44 and i can still tell you all about it !!!

 
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Daniitee2 said...
Oct. 25, 2011 at 2:37 pm:

I read this book and it opened my eyes to what drugs do to people. I would not want my life in that postion and my life to be ruined in such a way

 
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hannahbanana101 said...
Oct. 25, 2011 at 2:37 pm:

I REALLY want to read this book. It sounds amazing! I love stories about things people struggle with. Butterflies and sunshine isn't real life. It just isn't. I might go and buy this after school. Thanks for the amazing review and heads up about this book! :)

 
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poetry.is.beast said...
Oct. 17, 2011 at 8:38 am:

Well dang. I really want to read thiiis!! I may recomend (excuse my spelling) Thirteen Reasons Why, the author of which I don't know...but apparently it's quite good and deals with suicide, the next worse teen issue after drugs.

 
megglemsm97VIP replied...
Nov. 25, 2011 at 1:50 pm :

I also recommend thirteen reasons why!

 
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S. said...
Sept. 28, 2011 at 8:26 pm:

I haven't read the book....but i have been seriously planning on it. i like the idea that the author is "anonymous." there just aren't many of those around, and that is really awesome. I also like the drug thing...totally true, whether the teachers at my school think so or not.

 
soldoutVIP replied...
Sept. 29, 2011 at 6:59 pm :

same here. it sounds unique and a worthwile read

 
raggedyanarchyVIP replied...
Oct. 3, 2011 at 7:44 pm :

actually, i spent most of yesterday reading it. I found myself in Barnes and Nobles at like 8:30 p.m. with money to kill, and there it was, and i couldn't resist. It was really good! i cant wait to go get the second one

 
soldoutVIP replied...
Oct. 3, 2011 at 8:00 pm :

but even though yu picked it up just because yu needde some way to pass the time, it ended up being a good book, huh? because i want to read it soon...

 
raggedyanarchyVIP replied...
Oct. 3, 2011 at 9:25 pm :

yeah! it was awesome. I'm goinhg to read it again, if i ever get this history homework finished...but i will say that it is not for the faint of heart.

 
soldoutVIP replied...
Oct. 4, 2011 at 2:13 pm :

lol i have a ton of hw too, but i think i'll find time to read it.  and hey, drugs were never the sunshiney rainbow type of thing, were they?

 
CaeCae97VIP replied...
Oct. 16, 2011 at 9:09 pm :

There isn't going to be a second one. The girl was real, and her father found it, changed her name, and got it published. Sad, isn't it?

 
spadeOfheartsVIP replied...
Oct. 17, 2011 at 3:55 pm :

Hey, I haven't even read it, and you're already talking about sequels! XD Yeah, I guess that sucks. So wait, the dad put her name as "anonymous" s nobody could find out the identity of the author? Cooooool.

 
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LizzzardGirlVIP said...
Sept. 28, 2011 at 8:17 pm:

i have read this book i read it when i was in, oh, porbably sixth grade. it was a really good. book. the 'sequel' is Jay's Journal which is also every good.

 
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open_your_eyesVIP said...
Sept. 28, 2011 at 6:37 pm:

This book is a must read for anyone who thinks that drugs are something it's ok to mess with. It shows how bad decisions lead to worse consequences, and how we only get once chance in life to get things right. This book is an eye opener in a terrifying way, in the 21st century most teens really need their eyes opened. It's better to be unacccepted but free then die a horrible death for a few good times.

 
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KidletVIP said...
Sept. 28, 2011 at 1:26 pm:

Loved the book and loved this review. Keep it up! :)

 
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GoldenpenVIP said...
Sept. 28, 2011 at 7:03 am:

This book was eye opening, i read in 7nth grade. Its very intense and has very vivad descriptions

 
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RockGirl182VIP said...
Sept. 28, 2011 at 6:01 am:

This book touched me in a way that can't be described - A must read for everyone ! - 

 
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SARABEAR said...
Sept. 28, 2011 at 3:51 am:

One of my favorite books! :) 

 
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TheCylceGoesRoundVIP said...
Sept. 6, 2011 at 8:36 pm:

When I was in 8th grade, my teacher wanted me to read this for a book report.

 
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TheCylceGoesRoundVIP said...
Sept. 6, 2011 at 8:33 pm:

I love this book. It was a page turner and kept me sucked in at all times. It really freaked me out, too. That's what I really like about it, because the kind of thing that happened to the girl happens to many other people and it's such an eye-opener. 

 
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jmdslVIP said...
Sept. 6, 2011 at 1:41 pm:

my mum gave it to me before yesterday and because it was one of the only books she read when she was young 

 
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hopelessromantic14 said...
Aug. 22, 2011 at 4:33 pm:

This book is great! But, I would like to share with you that the main character's name is not Alice. She is unnamed. The title, Go Ask Alice is from the song "White Rabbit."

 
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Trina16 said...
Jul. 24, 2011 at 10:39 pm:

I want to read this book but I am 11? would it be to advanced for me?

 
SirieVIP replied...
Jul. 28, 2011 at 12:15 am :

I would generally say yes, but it honestly depends on your emotional ability to deal with graphic issues such as drug-abuse, sex and real-world violence. These days, most 11 year olds are well aware of this kind of thing, but an air to conservatism is appropriate for some.

To frankly answer you question, if you can watch R-rated movies and not feel uncomfortable, then this book should be fine for you. However, you might lose interest, depending on your maturity.

 
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Amanda24VIP said...
Jul. 24, 2011 at 12:34 am:

Im very excited to read this book! Alot of people should read it to get a true persepective of addication and parents should give this to their kids.

 
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HollyBellVIP said...
Jul. 17, 2011 at 6:29 pm:

Wow, this sounds like a great read. The way people are describing it is like the book itself is 'addictive'. I would be able to relate to this a lot as a lot of people I care about like to experiment with drugs and I have done myself (nothing really hardcore, marajuana and ecstacy) I know myself I'm not interested in drugs at all after trying them and have only tried these things because my whole group of friends do often and it was more of a social thing. My sister however I believe sometimes&n... (more »)

 
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DumbBlone22 said...
Jul. 6, 2011 at 10:41 am:

what are some things that you learned from this book

 
SARA replied...
Sept. 28, 2011 at 3:56 am :

Its show the sad, horrible consequences of effect that drugs have on a persons life. This books setting is actually back in the 60s, hippie days, its a true story, and inserts from her diary! Its really riveting and a must read for any age! 

 
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jazzy13 said...
Jun. 10, 2011 at 5:35 pm:

i picked this book up at the store, i didnt know what it was about so i didnt get it. but now that i read the article it sounds rlly good!

 
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VivaSarcasmVIP said...
May 26, 2011 at 4:32 pm:

I saw a girl reading this in my class, and she said it was really good, although I had no idea what it was about. I came across this review and decided to read it and now it's on my reading list. It sounds very good. Good job on the review, by the way, it was great!

 
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Openbook.AVIP said...
May 19, 2011 at 1:15 pm:

really, really good book. incredibly strong and full of feeling. I had to read it in the day time because otherwise I was sure to have nightmares. The worst part was how real it sounded and how real it is everywhere. So powerful, moving, sad, heartbreaking... holy wowza

 
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JelloAngel92 said...
May 5, 2011 at 4:17 pm:

this definately makes me wanna go read this....

 
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LoveKillsVIP said...
Apr. 27, 2011 at 8:20 pm:

Very well writen and is good support. The book is anmazing and you did it juctice.

 
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JessicaR said...
Apr. 27, 2011 at 8:24 am:

Ive always wanted to read this book and I just got to read it about a week ago and it is so good. It really opened my eyes to the real world.

 
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