unread

Well, I am glad I had a chance to finally read this one. Had heard about it quite some time ago, so I grabbed it when I saw it down the bookstore!
Unfortunately all I had heard about the style of writing not being too good is true... then again, as someone who kept a diary as a teen, I would have to say my own was not much better, so maybe it does ring true from that point! I have, however, also heard that this turned out not to be true and based on a young girl's diary at all, but was written as a cautionary tale. Some of it, I have to say, did seem over the top, but then again, never been a drug addict, so maybe it was more accurate than I think!
Either way, as an old book, (first published in 1972), it is interesting from that point.
I have offered this one as a ring, so I will be looking at getting it on the move in the next week or so. Put it like this, I won't be offended if anyone else says they didn't like it! Actually, will be quite interested to hear what others think!

Ring Order:
biisbsw
imawinn2
kobie03
edwardstreet
jonniboi
lunatum

On it's way to the USA tomorrow. Enjoy, Biisbsw!

Just got this in the mail today. What a quick trip from half way across the globe! My very first bookray. I'm looking forward to reading it. I haven't really started it yet (though I must say I've skipped ahead and read a few diary entries here and there). I'm interested to see what this "diary" will be like, especially as I've worked with too many girls like Alice in my real life as a social worker.

Just finished reading this book. Reminds me of one girl I worked with previously though the drugs of choice have definitely changed over time. Just like Alice, she ran away several times to be found half way acroos the country eventually by her parents, brought back home, only to have it all happen all over again, just when you thought things were on the way to getting better. Wonder whatever happened to her? I know this is just a cautionary tale and not the diary of a young girl (some comments seemed way too set up to be the words of a 15 year old girl) but, unfortunately, did not seem all that over the top.

This should be on its way tomorrow to imawinn2. As long as I am able to get out of work on time tomorrow and the weather's not a factor I should be able to make it to the post office just in time. Hope you enjoy this book.

Alice has arrived. I'm getting towards the end of another bookring book and then will start this ASAP. I should be able to read this within a two week time period. I have had this on my "Must Read" list for some time. Thanks for offering this as a ring.

A quick read but a powerful story. Although I fall into the category of those who believe it is not a real diary, it is still one that should be read. It gives the reader a fast paced glimpse of the detrimental affects that drugs has on a person. It shows how easily drugs can take an intelligent person, with a positive future ahead of them, and bring them down into the depths of a very sad, lonely, harmful and wasted life. The simple message this book wants to get across to young people is to "avoid drugs or this could happen to you." But the other message, which is geared towards adults, is that there are ways to help keep our youth/children from following such a path. We see a plea as the young girl describes her home life, her relationship with her parents and friends, and her insecurities. As parents and mentors we need to treat youth with respect, show them that they have value, help build their self-esteem, teach them that they are unique and to be proud of who they are, and finally, love them unconditionally. Then we have to hope that this will help give our children/teens strength and support to stand up for themselves and against peers who are trying to steer them down an ill advised road.

Again, thanks romy86 for sharing this book with us. I have the next participants address and will be sending it off this week.

Dropped this off at the post office today. So now it is on its way to the next reader.

book arrived today with some HGG surprises. Thanks imawinn2 so much. Love the handmade ornament, colorful cow labels,teas, cute cats & books notecards and nice note. you made my day a lot brighter.

A quick informative read. I don't care if it is a real diary or not it packs a powerful message. As a nurse LSD was one of the first street drugs we became aware of in the early 70's and those young kids would be brought in hallucinating, shaking, totally out of it, some left home ,rarely heard from again, one kid stepped out of his apartment window thinking he could fly and plunged to his death. Over the years the drugs changed but the damage they inflicted didn't. Now there are so many street drugs and prescription abuses, that it seems to be everywhere. I think this book could be used in middle school to open the discussion and get kids and parents talking. We have a group of parents, teachers and police working together to educate the community and lobby for local treatment facilities to help those kids but it remains a challenging job.

In the mail to Edwardstreet.

Arrived from Canada - Thanks very much I will read and send on - is this part of a ray or ring ? I cannot remember and if so who is next? Please PM me I am bewildered.

Kobie03 I enjoyed the accompanying wee gifts thank you very much.

Perhaps I spoilt this for myself by reading online reviews and wikipedia.

couldn't finish it, found it so obviously contrived and unreal.

I have worked with youth for 30 years, now I am a human rights advocate.

I care. But this is not that way to change things in my opinion. Anything based on a lie I find distasteful.

Just got this through the post, I'm interested in reading it :) Going to take a little while as I have a few books infront of this one, but will get around to it ASAP

This wasn't my sort of book, it didn;t keep me interested, and I was putting the book down more often than not.

I have nothing more to comment than what others have already said. I'm sorry for keeping this book for so long, and I will be passing it on very soon :)

I have had no reply from linatum, so contacting ring oprganiser :)