|
Title: Go Ask Alice
Author:
Anonymous
Age level: Grades 8-9
Recommended by: Lynn Lemmon, Palm Harbor University High School, Florida Summary: Go Ask Alice
is the true story of a typical middle class adolescent who becomes entrenched in the 1960s drug culture and ultimately succumbs to a drug overdose. The book is comprised of actual diary entries by "Alice" (a pseudonym) and tracks the writer from her home to the urban streets and back home again. The book's value as a discussion tool about drug use greatly outweighs some questionable scenes detailing Alice's sexual and drug involvements.
Teaching suggestions:
To engage students prior to reading, play an audio recording of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit," then ask students to analyze the Alice described in the song. Throughout the reading of the book, have students write their responses to Alice's decisions and behavior in journals. As various types of drugs are mentioned, have pairs of students research their composition, effects, potential for addiction, etc. and report back to the class. At the end of the reading, group students in pairs or fours and assign them to write letters of advice to other teens from Alice.
|
