Go Ask Alice is a 1971 anonymous diary-style novel that chronicles the struggles of a teenage girl, who remains unnamed throughout the book, as she navigates the dangerous world of drug addiction and peer pressure. The story follows her descent into the throes of heroin addiction, starting with her experimentation with drugs at a party and escalating into a full-blown addiction. As she struggles with self-doubt, confusion, and the haunting grip of substance abuse, her diary entries provide an unsettling look at the emotional and physical toll of addiction. Ultimately, the protagonist’s journey reveals how drugs impact relationships, self-image, and mental health, with a tragic ending that reflects the consequences of her choices. Despite the controversial content, the book remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of substance abuse, particularly for young people.

Go Ask Alice was banned for its explicit content surrounding drugs, sex, and teen rebellion, which were deemed inappropriate for young readers. Many parents, educators, and schools considered the book to be too graphic and feared that its candid depiction of drug culture would encourage experimentation among teens. The book was also criticized for its portrayal of the main character’s inner turmoil and the moral ambiguity surrounding her actions. The unflinching portrayal of drug use and the tragic outcome made it controversial, with some arguing that it was too harsh and would not offer a positive, educational message. Schools and libraries in the 1970s and beyond frequently pulled the book from shelves, citing concerns that it glamorized drug use or presented an overly grim view of teenage life.