Looking For Alaska

Reader reviewed by Mairi

Miles is a different kid- not quite a full blown geek, but he certainly has some interesting habits, like memorizing last words. The last words of Francois Rabelais (I go to seek the Great Perhaps) inspire him to seek his own Great Perhaps in boarding school, where he will meet Alaska Young, a girl who cannot be described by anyone. She smokes and sells cigarettes, but there is an almost childlike innocence about her.

I first heard about this book in one of those online what-book-are-you quizzes and, though this was my result, I did not go right out and read it, possibly because of the freaky cover. A good friend and I were hanging out in the library before school one day, looking for books to read, and she recommended this author to me, and this book as one of his best. Truth be told it still did not look that great, but I really needed something to read so I checked it out and started it, after which I could not put it down.

The topics make this book middle school- high school, but it is a pretty easy read.

Reader reviewed by Allison

Miles is a high school junior who isfinally tired of his dull, run-of-the-mill life, the onyl enjoyment in it being his love of last words. He convinces his parents to send him to Culver Creek boarding school. There he meets new friends, new opportunities, and his new self-"Pudge". Pudge stumbles upon Tamukai(An Asian boy lost in his friends fun), Chip ("The Colonel"-intelligent leader, known for loyalty, memorizing facts, his hatred ofthe rich and snobby, and his mischief), and most inportantly, Alaska (the beautiful, funny, deep, passionate, ceazy, lustful, moody, selfish girl Pudge finds himself falling in love with.

It's so hard to explain to amazingness of this book. It's a must read, one ofthe bests out there. Hope, love, the future, death, suffering-all concepts in this book. It really makes you think aboutthe world you livein and howyou fit into it. Read. Read. Read.

"Damn it. How do i escape this labyrinth?" -read this book.

Reader reviewed by Kate

I found the beginning of this book to be slow, but I was VERY glad I kept reading. This book is one that I will not soon forget-- its message is one that sticks.

Friendship, betrayal, love, heartbreak-- you'll find it all in this story. It has very diverse and believable characters that were easy to identify and sympathize with. I especially enjoyed the fascination with last words-- kind of ironic and very cool. Alaska's spirit and sense of life made the whole story worthwhile-- her opinions and ideas are ones that really made me think.

This book will definitely get you thinking and make an impact on your whole life perspectives. I know it did for me :) must read!

Reader reviewed by Katrina

"Looking for Alaska" is one of my all time favorite book. I have read the book countless times and each time, I have been emotionally drained. Greene's style of writing is so desriptive and so into depth that I have quoted soo many lines from the book. I highly suggest anyone to read this book if they're looking for something that is real and not "cheesy" as some books are.

Reader reviewed by linda

Miles Halter is fascinated with last words, he seeks the Great Perhaps (from one of his favorite last quotes) and he knows he will need a change of scenery to find it. He heads off to boarding school and meets Chip, an arrogant and fun guy who introduces him to Alaska Young. Alaska is nothing like the girls Miles has met (though he hasn't had much experience with girls. She is infamous at the boarding school for being wild and care-free, or so she seems. She has something to hide and she too is obsessed with quotes, she seeks to escape the labyrinth and everyone is shocked by how she does it. Half the book is about Miles' experiences at boarding school and the other half is about Miles and his new crew trying to figure out the mystery of their lives.

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

LOOKING FOR ALASKA has got to be one of the finest books I've read this year. 16-year-old Miles Halter, memorizer of famous people's last words, has never fit in at his Florida high school. He attends his father's alma mater, Culver Creek boarding school in Alabama, in search of Rabelais' "Great Perhaps." For the first time in his life, he makes an extremely close group of friends: the Colonel, who makes up in brains what he lacks in height; Takumi, the Japanese non-computer whiz; Lara, his sort-of crush/girlfriend/friend; and Alaska, the ineffable character.

To Miles, Alaska enbodies the Great Perhaps: she is hot AND smart, a master prankster and infamous bookworm. But Alaska's tortured by her childhood, and Miles (nicknamed "Pudge" by his friends for being so darn skinny) has trouble keeping up with her extreme mood swings. But when tragedy strikes Culver Creek, Miles and his friends must learn how to handle grief and find their way out of the labyrinth of suffering.

John Green made a brilliant debut with this smartly written book. The language is compelling to teens because everyone can relate to it. I couldn't help but wish I were friends with this amazing group of people. There IS a lot of profanity and sexual references, if that bothers you. But I felt that it lent itself to the story nicely. LOOKING FOR ALASKA should definitely be on every teenager's must-read list.

Reader reviewed by Leah



This book is one of my favorites because it kept me hooked and reading through out the whole thing. This book is about Miles (or pudge) moving to boarding school. He makes friends with the colonel, takumi, lara, and most of all, Alaska. He instantly falls in love with her but she has a boyfriend and a tendency to get into trouble. Just as things are about to go well, tragedy strucks and Miles thinks all is lost. This is funny, sad, suspenceful, and moving. All you could ever want in a book.

Reader reviewed by Wes

This was excellent, a compelling read that will have me thinking about it days afterward. The characters were dimensional and vivid. I liked how unstereotypical they turned out to be. I enjoyed the intelligence of this novel, of Miles' last lines and Colonel's capitals. This book has a lot to offer and I think despite it's intelligence it is highly readable, there is enough deviant behavior, sex, drugs, pranks and drinking to entertain reluctant readers while still challenging them with complex thoughts on religion, history and philosophy.