Bibliographic
Information
Looking for Alaska by
John Green. Speak. (2006).
Price: $18.99 for hardback; $9.99 for paperback
Pages: 160 for hardback; 256 for paperback
Note: This book was originally published in 2005.
Plot Summary
Sixteen-year-old Miles Halter decides to transfer to his
father’s high school alma mater after realizing that his current life is boring
and stale. Moving several states over to Alabama, Miles soon becomes friends
with his new roommate Chip Martin better known as The General. Although The
General seems to take it for granted that Miles will trail after him Miles, for
the most part, does not mind as it puts him in constant contact with
mysterious, beautiful Alaska, a girl with an unknown past and an unpredictable
future. Miles finds himself falling head over heels with Alaska but cannot act
on his newfound feelings as Alaska has a boyfriend. However, this does not
prevent him from pulling pranks with her, the General, and their mutual friend
Takumi. Soon life settles into a predictable pattern with Miles pondering the
new concepts he learns in religion class in between the time he spends smoking and
drinking with his friends. However, their time together is soon broken up by a
horrific event that looms in the not-too-distant future, one that will test
their friendship, loyalty, and faith.
Critical
Evaluation
While Looking for
Alaska is John Green’s first novel many of his subsequent works have a similar
flavor. Green is known for his sarcastic, witty protagonists who have life
changing experiences throughout the course of his novels. Most are narrated by
male teens through first-person perspective with The Fault in Our Stars being the notable exception. Looking for Alaska contains all the
above elements. Teens who are into reading obscure books? Check! Characters who engage in snarky bantering?
Check and double check! Protagonists involved in illegal behavior? Also a
check! In full disclosure I must admit that I’m not a huge John Green fan as I often
find his characters pretentious and therefore insufferable. However, I was
pleasantly surprised by Looking for
Alaska. Here Green explores deeper themes such as the meaning of life, the
place of religion, and the burden of guilt all within the confines of a
boarding school setting. Additionally, while Green’s characters certainly have
quirky and possibly pretentious hobbies (e.g. memorizing countries’ capitals
and reading academic books for fun) these hobbies seem to organically fit the characters.
For example, the General memorizes lists in order to avoid confronting his
emotions while Miles mirrors Green’s own interest in memorizing people’s last
words. Green also manages to create a realistic setting in Culver Creek boarding
school. Pranks are pulled, the dean keeps a vigilant eye out for trouble
makers, and the teachers are geniuses. Perhaps
this is also why Green’s characters within the novels can be excused for their unusual
hobbies. Ultimately, many readers with enjoy Looking for Alaska as it is depicts teens who are simply trying to
find their place in the world while having to confront both comedic and tragic
events along the way.
Side Note: I have no doubt that part of the reason I
enjoyed this novel was because I listened to the audio version of it. Narrator
Jeff Woodman does an excellent job with all the characters’ voices although my
particular favorites were that of the General and the Eagle. I highly recommend
listening to this book on CD!
Reader’s
Annotation
When Miles Halter meets quirky, beautiful Alaska during
his first year at his new boarding school he falls for her immediately but
little does he know the consequences of their friendship.
About the
Author
John Green, possibly one of the best known current young
adult authors, is known for his five novels all of which are poignant and
complex. He is a New York Times bestselling author, a 2006 Printz Award winner,
a 2009 Edgar Award winner, and has been a finalist twice for the Los Angeles
Times Book Prize. Looking for Alaska was
his first novel while A Fault in Our
Stars is his most recent one.
To learn more about John Green visit his website here.
To learn more about Looking
for Alaska visit John Green’s Q & As here:
http://johngreenbooks.com/alaska-questions/
Genre
Coming of age, Realistic fiction, Romance, School story
Readalikes
Paper Towns by
John Green
·
Many readers feel that this is quite similar to Looking for Alaska complete with a
quirky, vibrant girl
The Catcher in the
Rye by J.D. Salinger
·
Also about a boy & a boarding school
The Disreputable
History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
·
Although the main character is a female this
book contains the same level of snarkiness and also takes place at a boarding
school.
Tags
Alabama, boarding school, cliques, death of mother, drunk
driving, hazing, pranks, pretentious, single father, single mother
Awards
Won/Lists On
2005—ALA Teens’ Top Ten
2005—Booklist Editors’ Choice
2005—Book Sense Summer Pick Teen Readers
2005—Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
2005—School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
2006—ALA Best Books for Young Adults
2006—ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
2006—Michigan Library Association’s Thumbs Up! Award
2006—Printz Award
2007—Inky Awards
2009—ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
2009—ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound
2009—Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award
Nominee
NYPL Best Book for the Teen Age
Professional
Reviews
Booklist
Bookpage
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred
review)
Chicago Tribue
Note: Kirkus lists the age range for this book as 19 and
20 year olds
Kliatt (starred review)
Philadelphia Inquirer
Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal (starred review)
Booktalk Ideas
Finding the great perhaps (5)
Not going to living in future but instead the present
(54)
Fascination with Alaska (88)
How Miles felt about Alaska (171-72)
Bibliotherapeutic
Usefulness
*SPOILER ALERT*
This book could be used to help teens who have
experienced the death of a friend.
Reading Level/Interest
Level
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 9th-12th grade
These levels are according to AR Bookfinder
Challenge
Issues
This book includes the following potentially
controversial elements:
·
Breaking of school rules
·
Hazing that could have caused death
·
Mention of masturbation
·
Pornography
·
Profanity
·
Taking God’s name in vain
·
Theft
·
Underage cigarette usage
·
Underage drinking
·
Vandalism
Librarians can point out that while this book can be
controversial it is also excellent for provoking discussions on faith and the
meaning of life.
Why Was This
Included?
While this was required reading for class I’ve always been intrigued by John
Green novels even though I have mixed emotions about the two I’ve read so far!
With Paper Towns and A Fault in Our Stars behind me I was
hoping to enjoy Looking for Alaska.
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