Looking For Alaska
Written by John Green - Project by Tory Martin
Short Synopsis *No Spoilers*
Book Review
Before reading this book I had enjoyed other John Green books such as Paper Towns and The Fault in our Stars. I already gathered that John Green had a knack for understanding teenagers, but this was realized even more so in this novel. I really enjoyed reading about experiences that Miles aka Pudge and the group go through, combined with their intelligent cynicism and banter. I think that characters are the most important thing in young adult books because without them all you have is the real world. Looking for Alaska does not have characters; it has people that you’ll empathize with and desperately want to know more about.
I admire Alaska so much. She’s not infallible, but this is why she’s loved. She has flaws and annoying habits, but Miles loves her anyway. I didn’t realize how witty and humorous this book would be. Until The Last Day.
Looking for Alaska lives up to its hype: the wonderful, moving novel by a loved young adult author. It’s a novel that will stay with you for a long time, possibly while you are looking for your own “Great Perhaps”.
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Extra Quote
Printz Award
The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.
John Green has won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award for his extraordinary first novel “Looking for Alaska,” published by Dutton Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Tired of his boring existence, 16-year-old Miles “Pudge” Halter heads off to seek his Great Perhaps at an Alabama boarding school, where new-found freedom, guilty pleasures and an enigmatic girl named Alaska hurl him into life. First-time author John Green writes with intimacy, humor, and insight about a world where intense friendship can lead to devastating loss,” says Committee Chair Michael Cart.
The award announcement was made during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio, January 20-25. The award, first given in 2000, is named for the late Michael L. Printz, a Topeka, KS, school librarian known for discovering and promoting quality books for young adults.
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/bookawards/printzaward/previouswinners/06printz