Elizabeth Atkinson - Hey Elizabeth!

Hey Elizabeth!

I can’t wait to read your next book!! I loved how you got the mean girls so right! There is a girl in my grade who is exactly like Hailey!! It was so funny. When ever I pictured Hailey I pictured the girl in my grade!

(Shannon - 6th grade)

Hey Elizabeth!

I can’t wait to see you again. I think you should write a sequel to Alice to Zen. Tell me if you’re going to write another book for my age.

(Allyson – 5th grade)

Hey Elizabeth!

I really loved your book it inspired me in so many ways. I hope you write more books I look forward to more. Thank you!

(Sydney – kid)

Hey Elizabeth!

How did you get your book published? Did you have times when you got stuck, what did you do?
Also, I LOVED the book! It was awesome and was something all middle-school kids could relate to. Thanks for being an extraordinary writer!

(Shannon -- kid)

Hey Elizabeth!

I found your book, From ALICE TO ZEN, when I was at Barnes and Nobles searching for a book to read for my project. My mom and I were looking in the teen section for appropriate book for my age. But, my mom thought that all the books were too old for me or not appropriate. They were for high school readers. We were looking at the Gossip Girl series and other novels that were about “older” situations.

So my mom and I headed for the children section, but there were books that I might have read in 2nd grade. We searched in the back where the cover of your book caught my eye. Well, my mom went away to search again in the teen section, again. I stayed and read the back of your book. All the books that my mom was looking at (I thought) were the same, old same old. The ones where they go on adventure in the woods. Or the books tell the story of their present life about their friends and nothing is really different.

But, as I read the back of your book I was amazed of how different the story was. About a boy who acts more of a girl than the girl does. I thought that the part where Zen says, “I just got a new curling iron and it crimps too” really made me just want to read on. I showed my mom the book and she thought that it would be funny and a good read for my age. So I took it home and once I started reading I just couldn’t stop. I thought that the book was so realistic and tells a real story of what a middle school student really has to go through. Picking what you want to be, or picking to be cool and popular. I really loved your book!

(MALLORIE – 7th grade)

Hey Elizabeth!

I just finished reading From ALICE TO ZEN and Everyone in Between and found it to be utterly delightful. The characters are very likable and believable and I enjoyed the "winks" to our West Newbury locality throughout which makes it fun for kids living around here to read. I found it to be lovely story about unlikely friendships and their special value, peer pressure, the elusive nature of popularity, and ultimately learning to march to your own drummer. If anyone has a special middle school reader in their life, this is the book for them. I am planning on giving it to my 11 year old niece for her birthday this month.

(JEN – Parent)

Hey Elizabeth!

I LOVED your book!! It was GREAT!! Once I read it, I recommended it to my friends because I liked it so much, and they loved it too! I can’t wait for your next book to come out.

(SARAH – 6th grade)

Hey Elizabeth!

"Alice to Zen" is one of the most delightful pieces of young adult fiction that I've encountered in a great while. It addresses issues that are so urgent to middle school aged kids; acceptance, fitting in, and being yourself, with warmth, humor, and great sensitivity.

As the parent of a "tweenage" girl (very much like Alice) I watch my daughter as she attempts to deal with these very issues everyday. It's a great read for parents and kids alike.

(PETE, Sarah’s Dad - Parent)

Hey Elizabeth!

I just read From Alice to Zen on my plane trip ----GREAT book. Perhaps you were targeting a younger
audience, but the book kept me--at 62-- completely engaged and thinking (and smiling) all the way through. The choice points faced by Alice are particularly poignant for young people, and also apply to adults...go with the crowd---or stand for what I know is right.........Thank you for writing this. Please let me know whenever you write more.

(Nancy -- grandmother)

Hey Elizabeth!

I picked up From Alice to Zen at the bookstore when I was looking for a book to give to my 14 year old brother. He doesn’t like to read too much so I thought it would be perfect for him – funny, middle school stuff that involves some sports. Well, I read it first when I got home and I really, really liked it! There weren’t many fun, relatable books like this when I was in middle school. I think anyone at any age would love reading it!

(MADELEINE – College Student)