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Summary from the Library of Congress cataloging-in-Publication Data: Eighth-grader Alice has lots of questions about sex, relationships, prejudice and change.

Excerpts/Notes:

The LOC Publication Data speaks for itself, but the book also touches on lesbianism.

“When you only go out with one guy, everyone assumes you’re having sex.” (4)

“Do you get yeast infections from yeast?” (she is asking her brother) “Don’t look at me…We jocks just itch.” (2)

Talking about L.’s incident with their cousin: “What do you mean, did I feel anything? Did I fondle her, do you mean?” (2)

“No…did you feel lust?” (19)

“Lust?” (19)

“Sexy. Did it excite you, L?” (19

“If you mean did it turn me on, sure a little…did I want to throw her on her back and make mad love?” (19)

“But isn’t that what grown-ups worry about – that sex ed classes will excite us so much, we’ll all bolt from the classroom…head for the bushes…”(19)

“…if I did everything my impulses told me to do, I’d go make love to the cashier down at the 7-Eleven…”(19)

Cousin C. is staying over at their house and sharing a room with Alice: “she’d [C.] come back to the bedroom, slip off her robe, and put on her panties and bra…had my eyes half-closed, but when a twenty-five-year-old woman is standing stark naked…I think you’re allowed a peek…can learn a lot just by looking…[she] lets her breasts fall into the bra cups…you get your nipples where they’re supposed to be, I thought…couldn’t wait to tell E. and P. [her friends]…[she] didn’t know I was watching…squirts of cologne between her breasts, and talcum powder beneath…may she had learned how to drop her breasts into a bra and powder…[at night] she’d crawl under the blanket and we’d tell each other stuff…I’d been wanting to know…What is sexual intercourse really, really like for a woman? …how do you just come right out and ask…(20-21).”

“I read somewhere that the average woman has sexual intercourse 3,948 times in her life (23).”

They talk about C’s divorce, then the next 3 pages are full of a conversation about SEX!

“Is sex a really big thing?” “Sure. Though some people feel it’s more important…if that’s all a guy seems to think about…that tells you a lot about him…” “What does intercourse really, really feel like for a woman?” “Uh … Alice, you do know how it’s done, don’t you?” “I know what goes where…how does it feel when a man’s penis goes inside you?” “…for some women it hurts…maybe the first couple of time…after that it doesn’t. It feels pretty good…exciting to feel yourself opening up for a man…nice to have him kissing you…so many girls use tampons now that they’ve already stretched themselves a little down there.” “…what’s sex like later?” “A man and woman climb in bed and make wild love and they both come at the same time…” “What does that mean?” “An orgasm. A climax…peak of excitement. If you’ve ever masturbated, you already know what it feels like.” Alice asks how this is different from the movies. “…the man and woman climax at the same time [in the movies]. In real life, some men and women like to make love in other ways. Every woman is different…girls want guys to think they’re sexy, so they sigh and moan and do all the stuff they see women do in the movies…the guy thinks he’s a real stud, so he goes right on doing what feels good to him…it may never do much for the girl…you should feel comfortable and just enjoy being together…you may want your husband to touch you with his hands…you’ll try different things…ask him what he’d like you to do to him…giving each other pleasure (24-27).”

“Sex was a lot more complicated…always imagined that the woman just lay down on her back…the man got on top of her…something wonderful happened. All the woman had to do was wear a sexy nightgown…never imagined she had to talk! To give directions…(27).”

On pages 28-31, she discusses sex with her friends.

“What if she [one of her friends] gets pregnant and stays inside all summer…what if P. goes out in the garage and has a baby in the backseat of her dad’s Chevrolet…(65).

“Are you still a virgin?” “Do I have to tell you every time a guy touches me?” “They touched you? Where?” E wanted to know. “One of the guys slipped his hands under my sweater, that’s al.” “Yes, he touched my breasts. He got a three-second feel through my bra… (66-67)”

Alice thinks about her boyfriend: “He didn’t touch my breasts – he almost did – but I’ll have to admit I sort of wanted him to…that’s what sex is about…you’re supposed to want to caress each other. It’s supposed to feel good. It’s natural. It’s normal (67).”

“She’s [her friend’s mom] married, only she’s doing it with someone else…she’s letting him do a lot more…(68)”

“You know that time we went to Chicago on the train…that man came in your compartment and kissed you and touched your breasts, P? “…it set up cravings in you that you just can’t control.” “The thing is, P…if you let a boy get to first base, he’ll try to get to second…” “…E, I’m not playing baseball, I’m making out…It feels good! People act so surprised…boys make out because it feels good, and girls just do it to please the boys. “…think of all the fun you’d miss [when you are married]…the flirtation, the courtship, the first kiss, the first…” “Grope,” said E. “Grope. It’s when a boy touches any part of you that your bathing suit is supposed to cover.” “Wow! I like that!” said P. “That means he could caress your back, and the top of your leg, along your inner thigh…(68-70)”

They shop for dresses for a dance. Among them, short and revealing dresses (85).

“…since his mother died; he always dated floozies (90).”

“L.H. made it a point to sit by me in biology when she got the chance…you’re not supposed to look at each other’s bodies in the locker room, not so it’s noticeable, anyway…we all do…comparing ourselves…seventh-graders frankly stare…I stared too…because I’d never seen so many naked girls all at one time…caught L.H. looking at me…(92).”

She goes over for a night at L.H.’s house: [L.H.] rubbed one of her feet gently against mine…L. reads her palm: “When she finished, she didn’t let go of my hand…she still had a hold of it. “I really like you, Alice.” “I really like you too.” “That’s not what I meant,” said Lori. …I figured out what this was all about… “You passed the first test. You didn’t run screaming…” “Why should I?” “You know what I mean, don’t you?” “That you like girls…romantically, I mean?” “Yeah, I think so” “Oh, gosh, I came on too strong…I shouldn’t have hurried you.” “…I could never fall in love with you. Not like that.” “You were always so nice to me. I guess I hoped.” Alice asks if she should leave. L. H. admits that her mom does not know she is a lesbian…”Hardly anyone does.” “What made you think I did?” “…You smiled at me, that’s all…I’ve heard of girls who went with boys first before they realized they were gay…Well, lesbian. There. I’ve said it…I’ve never had a girlfriend before, but I’d like to.” I tried to imagine what my own mother would say if I told her I was a lesbian…I didn’t ever know my own mother…L.H. speaking again: “For the past few years, it’s the feeling that I’m really interested in girls…I love them, the way a guy would love them.” Alice is thinking: I wondered why people seem so afraid that someone who’s gay or lesbian might make a pass at them (97-103).

She is talking to her dad and brother: “No, I was just wondering what you would say if I told you I was a lesbian.” Her dad: “Is this a hypothetical question?” “…yes…” “I suppose I’d be disappointed…a little bit sad…happy for you…if you found someone you could love.” “I just spent the night with a lesbian…L.H. said she liked me and she gave me a bracelet…I told her I don’t feel the same…we’re just friends.” “I’m glad you’re still friends.” Her brother is speaking: …a gay approached a friend of mine in the men’s room, and my friend decked him…[and] going around bragging about it…a guy who has to answer a proposal with a left to the chin is protesting a little too much (110-112).”

Clearly, this is a book that not only discusses sex, but lesbianism. Could it be that the discussion of homosexuality is to promote tolerance and acceptance? Her father congratulates her for remaining friends with a lesbian. He tells Alice when she puts forth a hypothetical that he “would be happy” for her if she found “someone to love.” She never left L.H.’s house after finding out who she was, and in this book, L.H. plainly comes on to her. There is no subtle hint to look for, but this book describes what Alice is thinking and how she does not see why anyone is “afraid” of gays. If you’ve not read through some of the other books listed, I recommend you do so. Your money is hard at work here – schools have the opportunity to buy books like this for their libraries – and again, all with YOUR money.