About This Book
Steven Sater's 'Alice by Heart' is a poignant young adult novel set during the Blitz in WWII London. Fifteen-year-old Alice is among the refugees sheltering in an underground Tube station, where she confronts the devastating realities of grief and loss, while also experiencing the tender complexities of first love. The narrative cleverly weaves in elements and themes from 'Alice in Wonderland,' as the classic story becomes Alice's primary coping mechanism and a lens through which she interprets her chaotic world. This book is ideal for mature young adult readers (ages 12-18) interested in historical fiction, emotional depth, and literary allusions. Parents should be aware of the wartime setting and themes of loss, which are handled with sensitivity.
Fifteen-year-old Alice confronts grief, loss, and first love with the help of her favorite book, Alice in Wonderland, as she shelters with other refugees in a London Tube station during World War II. Includes photographs of underground shelters used in the war.
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Character Death
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Discussion Prompts
1
How does Alice use 'Alice in Wonderland' to cope with her reality? Can stories help us process difficult emotions?
2
What challenges do Alice and the other refugees face in the Tube station? How do they build a community there?
3
Discuss the themes of grief and loss in the story. How does Alice's journey show different ways people cope?
4
How does the historical setting of WWII impact Alice's personal journey of first love and self-discovery?
5
What does it mean to confront something 'by heart'? How does Alice's internal world reflect her external circumstances?
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