Looking for Alaska
by John Green
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Book Summary Information
Author: John GreenBrand: Speak
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-12-28
ISBN: 0142402516
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Speak
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780142402511
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Looking for Alaska
Book Review: An excellent debut novel from Green, for Adults and Young Adults alike.
Summary: 5 Stars
"Grade 9 and up." "Young Adult." "Inspire young people." Those phrases all turned me off of this novel, which I had been interested in after becoming a fan of John Green's vlog on YouTube. After becoming so familiar with the author, I was curious as to his writing. However, I'm around 20 years late from being able to claim the title of a "young adult," so I assumed I was too old for this book. I don't really know what classifies as book as "young adult," and could only associate things like Judy Blume, which I read as a kid. But the recommendations from here, and the startling realization that I have already read and enjoyed other YA books (Harry Potter, The Golden Compass, etc) fortunately changed my mind. As it turns out, "Young Adult" literature is mainly characterized by having a young protagonist, fewer characters, and a limited time span. "Looking for Alaska" reads in every way like any other "adult" novel that I might enjoy. My fears that the book would be "dumbed down" for kids or have large text were unfounded.
"Looking for Alaska" revolves around the protagonist, Miles, and his social relationships with some new friends at boarding school, especially the self-destructive and beautiful Alaska Young. They share a common enjoyment of smoking, drinking, intelligence, and pranks. Saying much more would be revealing too much of the plot. I've seen the criticisms that this book is not suited for young adults due to the themes of drinking and sex. While I understand some parents' concerns, I found nothing in this book that any 10 year old does not already know, or sees on TV and in music every day. The language is very limited and fairly mild. 9 years old may be a little young for the subject matter in this book but 11 and up should have no problems.
I initially checked this book out of the library. After finishing, I purchased it on Amazon, which is the first time I've ever bought a book I've already read. I was so impressed with Green's writing that I wanted to own the book so I could let friends borrow it and keep it in my library. With the exception of one or two others, I've never felt such an emotional connection with the characters of a book before. I found myself very involved with their lives in the story, which is a testament to the extraordinary character development that takes place in as little as 100 pages. This novel mainly centers around that character development, however there is enough "action" to keep the plot moving along and the story from getting boring.
While it's not the most entertaining, out of the thousands of novels I've read in my life, John Green's "Looking for Alaska" definitely falls somewhere in the top 10 of the best written. It has already been recognized as such by the Young Adult Library Services Association, having received the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature (Green's follow up novel An Abundance of Katherines, was a runner-up the following year and received a Printz honor). I would definitely recommend this book to any age group, but especially anyone who is interested in writing and wants to see an example of great literature.
Summary of Looking for Alaska
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Quick Pick
A Los Angeles Times 2005 Book Prize Finalist
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
A 2005 Booklist Editor?s Choice
A 2005 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Before. Miles ?Pudge? Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave ?the Great Perhaps? even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . . After. Nothing is ever the same.
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