Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Looking for Alaska, by John Green

In the book Looking for Alaska by John Green, the main character, nicknamed Pudge, is starting school at a boarding school as a junior in high school. He meets a beautiful girl named Alaska, but she can be really emotionally unstable sometimes. Despite that, Pudge is in love with her, even though she has a boyfriend. One day Alaska hurriedly leaves and they are worried about her. Pudge and his roommate spend the last half of the book figuring out why that happened, and more importantly, why it had happened in the first place and so suddenly.

I though that this was a book that teens could really relate to, because it is told from a teenager's point of view. I really liked this book because it was not very formal, I felt like one of my friends was casually telling me a story. The ending was shocking and breath taking. I had never read a book from this author before, but after reading Looking for Alaska, I think I might! This is my all time favorite book that I have ever read in my life. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a laugh and a cry while reading books.

Reviewed by Melody, Grade 9.
Central Library


4 comments:

Teen Speak said...

In the book Looking for Alaska by John Green, the main character, nicknamed Pudge, is enters a new boarding school as a junior in high school. He makes a few new friends thanks to his new roommate, but the one that got most of his attention is a beautiful girl named Alaska. Despite Alaska's emotional instability and the fact that she has a boyfriend, Pudge can’t help but be in love with her. One night Alaska quickly leaves and her friends are worried about her. Pudge and his roommate spend the last half of the book figuring out why everything happened and why it had happened in the first place.

Looking For Alaska was one of those books that once you start it you can't stop reading it until you finish it. I loved the book but honestly it felt a bit empty in the end, I would have liked for there to be a bit more to it. But I mostly enjoyed the way the author created the characters, each one alike but yet had their own personality and it's easy to get attached to the characters. As much as I loved the book, I expected a lot more because I read it since there was such good reviews and I was recommended it. I feel like I held it to such a high expectation that it was a let down, but overall would still recommend it to a friend. If you like to read about teenagers being teens and if you like emotional books, then you should read this one.

Reviewed by Nayri T., grade 10 Casa Verdugo Library

Teen Speak said...

Miles Halter is starting his first year at Culver Creek High School as a junior. It is a boarding school so he befriends his roommate named Chip, who likes to be known as "The Colonel". The Colonel nicknames Miles "Pudge" and takes him to meet his best friend Alaska Young. When Miles first meets Alaska, he immediately falls for her. Throughout the book, the three of them share laughs, wild dares, and fun nights. Miles becomes closer to both The Colonel and Alaska, but soon, something happens that changes everything.

I believe this book was very interesting and unique. It was fun to read because they all hung out together and did crazy things. I also liked how the book was divided into a "before" and an "after" part. It made you want to read more so you would want to know what happens after. I believe teenagers who like books about romance will like it. It showed how not everyone is perfect and that sometimes things don't go your way.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library

Teen Speak said...

Looking for Alaska, written by one of my favorite authors, gets into the struggles of an adolescent’s life. Miles “Pudge” Halter is going to a new boarding school because he felt as if he didn’t fit into his old public school, which is very common for teenagers these days. Although he easily makes friends, it all gets to be a little too tough when he has to deal with all his classes while being madly in love with a girl named Alaska, who will manage to turn his whole world on its head.

I absolutely love John Green’s writing because he uses a small amount of words to say something huge, powerful, and meaningful. The brilliant plot has the reader reading until they no longer can. Looking for Alaska honestly teaches the reader a lot about life, mistakes, and forgiveness that they otherwise would never know. The main thing that pops into my head when i think of this book, is do everything while you can and do not, under any circumstances, give up an opportunity you know you can never get back.

Reviewed by Initials, Grade 10
Glendale Central Library

Teen Speak said...

"Looking for Alaska" by John Green is about a socially awkward teen Miles Halter moving to a whole new school and meeting new friends. Miles soon meets Alaska Young a girl who attends the school. Miles slowly falls in love with her as his new life seems more interesting than the one he had at his old school. Miles and his new friends go on many exhilarating adventures together and make some crucial mistakes along the way.

"Looking for Alaska" by John Green is my favorite book. The many plot twists made the book extremely likable and the quotes and phrases were very meaningful to me. This book gave me a sense of happiness, sadness, and a sense of reality. I think teens and adults aged 14+ would LOVE this book mainly because of the topics the book deals with such as : drugs, sex, and alcohol. All in all, a great read!

Reviewed by Annabel, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library