LOOKING FOR ALASKA

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Green, John. 2005. Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Dutton Books. ISBN 0525475060

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Miles “Pudge” Halter has moved from his home in Florida to a boarding school in Culver Creek, Alabama. Pudge’s main goal is to find the “Great Perhaps” and experience a different life. He befriends several kids at school, including Alaska, Chip “The Colonel,” and Takumi. These friends embark on prank wars, smoking, drinking, and confusing teenage romances. One night, Alaska leaves, gets in a crash, and passes away. The boys are left to cope with the death of their dear friend and trying to figure out if they were partly at fault for her crash. In the end, Miles figures out the importance of friendships and relying on others.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSISJohn Green has created a realistic look at the life of a teenager, with the temptations of smoking, drinking, and sexual activities. Boys and girls alike will connect with Miles, who is trying to find a greater life for himself by moving away from his family. Readers who have ever had problems with love triangles and peer pressure can really connect with the main characters of Looking for Alaska. Green captures the uncertainty and guilt that many people feel after the loss of a loved one, and shows how several characters deal with death in their own way. At times, the first part of the book can seem slow going, but after Alaska’s death, the air of suspense and guilt really capture the reader’s attention. This book is definitely for older readers who are in grades 9 or above.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Michael L. Printz Award Winner
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The language and sexual situations are aptly and realistically drawn, but sophisticated in nature. Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Readers will only hope that this is not the last word from this promising new author.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*This would be a great book to use for Reader’s Theater
*Readers can discuss the temptations of high school and how they can completely alter many lives in one instant.
*Other books by John Green:
Green, John. An Abundance of Katherines. ISBN 0142410705
Green, John. Paper Towns. ISBN 0525478183