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Cover of Alice with a Why

Alice with a Why

Anna James

Themes inside · 2 Ages 9–14 NYT Best Seller
Pages
241 pages
Published
2026

Content report card

What's inside

Medium confidence

Violence

Fighting, weapons, death

Language

Swearing, crude humor

Sexual content

Romance intensity, nudity

LGBTQ+ themes

Presence of characters or themes

Scary or mature

Horror, trauma, heavy themes

Substance use

Alcohol, drugs, smoking

What it offers

Positive messages

Kindness, courage, honesty, resilience

Positive role models

Characters who model good judgment and growth

Educational value

History, science, culture, how the world works

A note for parents

This is a thoughtful retelling of Alice in Wonderland set in post-WWI England, where Alyce (Alice's granddaughter) inherits her grandmother's connection to Wonderland and discovers it trapped in conflict. The story addresses themes of loss, courage, and problem-solving in age-appropriate ways, with references to war but no graphic violence. The adventure encourages resilience and empathy, making it suitable for middle-grade readers who enjoy classic literature reimaginings and can handle light fantasy conflict.

Analyzed by AI · 1 hour ago

Parent age guide

Is “Alice with a Why” right for your kid?

Ready from about age 9.

From about 8, okay with a grown-up nearby.

For younger readers

  • Suggested for ages 9+.

Based on this book's content report card and typical guidance by age. You know your reader best.

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From the publisher

A New York Times bestseller! • From bestselling author of the Chronicles of Whetherwhy and Pages & Co. series, comes a retelling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland wherein Alice’s granddaughter finds herself tumbling down into Wonderland. ⋆"A cleverly constructed return to Wonderland...a winner through and through." -... A New York Times bestseller! • From bestselling author of the Chronicles of Whetherwhy and Pages & Co. series, comes a retelling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland wherein Alice’s granddaughter finds herself tumbling down into Wonderland. ⋆"A cleverly constructed return to Wonderland...a winner through and through." --Booklist (starred review) ⋆"This homage sparkles. Delightful in every way."--Kirkus reviews (starred review) ⋆"A worthy reimagined follow-up to Alice in Wonderland, this story will delight new and old fans alike." --School Library Journal (starred review) Journey back to Wonderland . . . England, 1919. Alyce—with a Y—is sent to live with her grandmother, the original Alice, after having lost her father in war. When a mysterious invitation to a tea party hits her square in the face, Alyce realizes that her grandmother’s strange stories of a place called Wonderland might have some truth to them after all. Soon Alyce is tumbling down into Wonderland herself, but the place she finds is not the colorful world she's heard stories of, but a world trapped in its own war. The Sun King and the Queen of the Moon are fighting over a stolen hour, and soon Alyce is tasked with setting it right. With the help of the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and a Sailor Fox, Alyce will have to solve Wonderland’s problems and, eventually, find her way back home. An enchanting adventure through Wonderland, Alice with a Why is both a celebration of Lewis Carroll’s beloved original story and a modern masterpiece.

Shelved under

  • Juvenile Fiction

ISBN 9780593691991 · Penguin Group