Looking for Alaska by John Green (reviewed by Alanna Cover)

Looking for Alaska by John Green was an amazing addition to my inspiration library. I cracked its spine and found a world of wonder within.

The book is about a boy whose name is really Miles Halter, but for now we'll call him Pudge, as nicknamed in the book-who is looking for something. Have you ever had that sensation, that you're looking for something of great importance? Something that is so important that no one can comprehend why you're looking for it because-guess what?-even YOU don't even know what it is?

Well... That's Pudge's case. Pudge enjoys memorizing people's last words. An odd hobby, you have to admit, but I was enthralled by how amazing the hobby could be, what positive outcomes it could give. Furthermore on Pudge's situation, he doesn't know how to find that Great Perhaps (definitely the appropriate name, kudos to John Green and his obsession with last words as well!!) with a maximum of two friends, and practically no life.

Easy and most reliable solution: Go to the private school your father went to when he was in high school.

And Pudge does just this, and finds himself at Culver Creek in Alabama, far from his Floridan hometown. Who does he meet? A short and gruff roommate, named appropriately, for his sharp tongue and habits, as the Colonel; a beat-boxin' Japanese crunchy-fries-lover who can talk with his mouth full (Wonderful, isn't it?) named Takumi; a pretty, noble-born Romanian girl named Lara; and a beautiful, charismatic, tobacco and alcohol addicted girl named Alaska, whom Pudge falls helplessly head-over-heels for.

Things are getting better in his view as his life becomes normal for a simple teenage boy living in a private school, until a prank occurs. They dye the rich-kids' hair blue, and send out forged progress reports.

At first, it seems even better, as he begins to date the Romanian beauty, Lara. But soon, he finds himself mouth-to-mouth with the girl of his dreams: Alaska. Alaska has dared him to "hook-up with her," and he does just that. And around midnight, they stop making out and she gives him an unkept promise, "To be continued..." And comes in a few hours later, crying and screaming, saying that she forgot something, and she needs Pudge and the Colonel's help to get her off campus. The next day, The Eagle-the principal of the school-calls the entire school into the gym for an important announcement. Alaska is dead.

At this point in the book, I was very depressed at the thought of Alaska having died, it really ruined my entire day, to be honest. But as I continued to read, I found out why this was the only best solution for the story, otherwise, it would be just a boring book about some kid's life.

This is because the Colonel and Pudge go out of their way to find out why and how Alaska died, besides the basics. Yes, she was in a head-on collision with a police officer, but how did she die? What really happened that night?

As they get down to the nitty-gritty of their friend's end, Pudge learns a valuable lesson. Only by the last page does John Green have Pudge learn his entire lesson. And Pudge writes a paper to his teacher with his lesson. After being confused over whether or not he should be mad at her, or himself, he found that he forgave her. And he forgave himself. Why? Because she forgave him. She doesn't care anymore. It's been months since her death, and he forgives her.

This book was amazing, it really had me on the edge of my seat for a month, and I apologize to the library for keeping it overdue! There was certainly more to it than the cover gave away. I definitely recommend it to all teens and up. Preferably above 13, please. It does contain material unnecessary for certain audiences, with heavy sexual and alcohol themes. Now, I'm on to reading An Abundance of Katherines!

--
Thank you, Alanna, yet another superb first time reviewer. I have to admit: I LOVE THIS REVIEW...almost as much as I love John Green's amazing, one-of-a-kind, EPIC book!! What's especially cool is that Alanna decided to read this book after recommendations made during our last Teen Book Club author chat, as both the author (Gail Giles) and her fellow book club members recommended the book. Onward to Nerdfighteria! \o/

Click here to check our catalog to see if Looking for Alaska is on the shelves.