Looking for Alaska - First Impression

     After finishing the incredibly depressing last book of the Divergent trilogy, I wanted to find something short and sweet for my next read. While looking through the stack of unread novels on my bookshelf, I came across the book I recently bought: Looking for Alaska by John Green. At first I thought it was about trying to survive in the state of Alaska but after reading the synopsis on the back of the book, I knew that I was way off. I chose this book for 3 reasons: 1.) This book won the Michael L. Printz Award, an award given to the "best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit ". 2.) People are obsessed with John Green books these days. 3.) Many of my friends enjoyed this book and recommended it to me.

     The first thing I noticed was the days counting down every once in a while. Of course I have the question "What are the days counting down to?" If you know the answer to this question, please do not give it away. I would like no spoilers. I predict that maybe something tragic or important happens. Maybe a death of a main character or maybe the narrating character, Miles Halter, gets kicked out of the boarding school he is currently in. Another thing that stood out to me was this quote: "'How will I ever get out of this labyrinth!'" (Green, 19) Miles later responds to Alaska's quote by asking what the labyrinth is, but neither of them know the answer. I think this an important event in the book because it points out (to what seems to be) the over arcing question of the story.

     John Green has given this story fascinating, developed, and honest character. Each character is special and unforgettable in their own way. Because all the important characters are teens who are still in school, you can easily relate to them. Miles "Pudge" Halter really stands out to me because although he's the narrator of the story and the main protagonist, he is like the sidekick at the same time. You can tell he's gradually coming out of his antisocial shell thanks to his friends who are defiant and wild. One of those friends is Alaska Young, a beautiful quirky girl that Miles instantly falls in love with. Something she said that really stood out to me was this: "Y'all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." (Green, 44). Why does Alaska want to kill herself at such a young age? She told Miles this with a wide grin on her face which tells me she'll be happy to die. Maybe she accepts death because of a guilt she is facing. Hopefully I'll be able to find out soon.

Let me know if you have read this book. If you have, what did you think of it? But if you haven't, would you consider reading this book and why?