Books like The Agony of Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
After the death of her mother, eleven‑year‑old Alice turns to the schoolroom for guidance, hoping that her new teacher, Mrs. Plotkins, will be the perfect figure of order and moral certitude. Alice’s initial disappointment grows into a deeper realization as she learns that genuine character and inner worth matter more than outward perfection. The story examines teacher‑student dynamics, the complex emotions of growing up, and the search for self‑confidence in a world of expectations.
First publish date: August 1, 1997
Genre: Children's Fiction/Early Readers
Authors: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
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