Green, J. (2005). Looking for Alaska. NY: Dutton Books.
Summary
Miles "Pudge" Harper is beginning his Junior year at Culver Creek Preparatory School. He befriends his roommate, Chip (the Colonel), and his group of friends Takumi, and Alaska. Alaska is a troubled girl, but Pudge is smitten with her nonetheless. The group of friends rebel against school rules by drinking, smoking, and pranking. After a night of pranking and drinking, Alaska wakes Pudge and Colonel in the middle of the night to help her escape off campus. They are devastated to later find out that she died in a car accident that night. They feel partly responsible and set out to uncover answers surrounding her death.
Commentary
This book is divided into two parts: Before and After. I feel that readers that have experienced loss can relate to this idea of life before and after the death of a loved one. We have to figure out how to cope with our emotions and accept the unknown, just as Pudge and Colonel had to do. Life is never the same after losing someone important, but we have to figure out how to pick up and move on. John Green does an excellent job of creating characters that the reader can connect with. Young readers can also relate to the choices that Pudge is presented with such as drugs, alcohol, and sex.
Educators Guide: http://www.penguin.com/static/images/yr/pdf/JohnGreen_Guide_june_2014.pdf
Book Trailer:
John Green on the Banning of Looking for Alaska:
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