Review:
Go Ask Alice is the supposed diary of an anonymous teenage girl living during the 1960’s in the United States. The book documents the girl’s journey through high school, family relocation, and her experimentation with drugs. There are detailed accounts of experiences with LSD and other psychedelic substances. The book’s progress and the girl’s drug addiction and chaotic life style have a direct relationship. Furthermore, as she continues to journal her experiences, readers can note the changes in behavior and thought through the girl’s use of vocabulary and grammar. After much turmoil, the girl decides to remain clean from drugs and to refrain from keeping a journal; however, the epilogue states that she died three weeks later from an overdose.

Go Ask Alice is a great book for counselors to recommend to adolescent girl clients struggling with the decision to experiment with substances or currently using. There are realistic accounts of the experiences regarding deciding to use, actually using, and various feelings after using. Caution is recommended when determining if the book is appropriate for clients. The story may seem over exaggerated, and the time frame in which the book took place should be noted. Because it was set in the 1960’s, some societal norms have changed and should be expressed to potential readers. Additionally, caution should be utilized when considering that the main character is pronounced dead in the epilogue. Aside from cautionary details, Go Ask Alice can help clients realize the impact substances can have on their lives.