The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

     The Truth About Alice may or may not be true, and so few "formerly-known-as-friends" believe what Alice says. Popularity, and striving for it in a small town, is a goal of many high school students, and some will do almost anything to get to the top and stay there. It's about survival and maintaining one's position. 

     Alice was part of a cool crowd, even as her own person, yet when the most popular guy in school, has something to say about Alice, no one questions him nor believes Alice, not even one of her best friends. At Healy High, lies can be made into truths, and truths can be hidden.  Alice isn't the only one with a story, and this parallel story definitely has shock value and adds a level of complexity to the plot.

  
       The Truth About Alice is told by various characters, which provides for the full story, yet the reader never gains the perspective of Alice and her own truths. However, the reader has no problem imagining just how she feels.

     While this book could come across as the passive-aggressive behavior of girls, it also illustrates the social awkwardness of some high school students, the inability for some to do the right thing when necessary, even when one knows he/she must do or say something, the unfortunate circumstances of a social hierarchy, and the ability for some teenagers to look and think beyond themselves.

     Survival isn't just about the fittest. It's also that silver lining when you know you can and are going places in life.  

     Similar to Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, I think this would be a great book for all freshman in high school to read - girls and boys. Until it becomes required reading, the covers will limit its audience to girls.