Alice McKinley is a thirteen-year-old girl living in Maryland with her father and older brother, Lester. She is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her mother three years ago, and her father's decision to move the family to a new town and purchase a clothing store only adds to her confusion and loneliness.
Alice begins attending a new school, where she struggles to fit in and make friends. She clashes with her strict and uptight core teacher, Mrs. Plotkin, who constantly reminds Alice of her shortcomings. In an attempt to escape her problems, Alice turns to her vivid imagination, often daydreaming and creating elaborate fantasies in her head. However, her escapism occasionally lands her in trouble, such as when she accidentally sets the classroom on fire during a daydream.
Despite her conflicts with Mrs. Plotkin, Alice finds an unlikely ally in the teacher when Mrs. Plotkin discovers Alice's artistic talent. Mrs. Plotkin mentors Alice and encourages her to pursue her passion for drawing. With Mrs. Plotkin's guidance, Alice starts to come out of her shell and make new friends.
As Alice adjusts to her new life in Maryland, she also confronts her father over his inability to move on from their loss. Her father has become emotionally distant and overly focused on the clothing store, neglecting his children in the process. Alice helps her father come to terms with his grief and teaches him to accept their loss and move on into the future.
Alice Upside Down is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about family, friendship, and accepting change. It features a talented cast, including Alyson Stoner as Alice, Lucas Grabeel as Lester, and Parker Posey as Mrs. Plotkin, and is based on the popular children's book series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.