Looking for Alaska by John Green

1. Bibliography

Green, John, and Julie Strauss-Gabel. Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 2019.

2. Plot Summary 

Miles Halter loves last words. His fascination for them is what he uses to explain his reason for heading to the boarding school that his father attended. He is in search of “The Great Perhaps”. At Culver Creek, he meets Alaska Young, an enigmatic, moody, and beautiful girl who shows Miles “The Great Perhaps”. This entertaining coming of age novel explores tragedy, grief, hope, and love. 

3. Critical Analysis

Green writes this coming of age story from the perspective of the protagonist, Miles Halter, who is a unique, reflective, and youthful teenage boy. Miles is in search of something exciting in life, what he has come to call “The Great Perhaps”. He leaves his home to go to his father’s alma mater, Culver Creek, a boarding school. Introduced shortly into the story is Miles’ roommate and new best friend at Culver Creek, “The Colonel” , who is short, mischievous, loyal, and confident. Next at Culver Creek we meet Alaska Young, the enigmatic, devastatingly beautiful, and tragic love interest of Miles. Whereas Miles is cautious, Alaska is reckless. Whereas Miles is inexperienced, Alaska is full of knowledge of where to buy pink wine and cigarettes, sex, and feminist ideas. The trio become their own little dysfunctional family at Culver Creek. What ensues is a year of adventure and mischief cut short by the tragic death of Alaska Young. This leaves the Colonel and Miles to deal with the guilt, grief, and growth that the loss creates. Green writes from the perspective of a slightly self involved, but likable, teenage boy with ease, making it easy for teenage readers to connect. Teenage readers will envision themselves as Miles, root for him as he does life at Culver Creek, and will feel the same sting of Alaska’s death and a path changed forever for Miles. This book touches on some very sensitive topics like suicide, sex, and underage drinking, and this should be kept in mind when considering sharing with younger readers. 

4. Award(s) and Review Excerpt(s)

• 2006 Michael L. Printz Winner
  
• From Kirkus Review: “What sings and soars in this gorgeously told tale is Green's mastery of language and the sweet, rough edges of Pudge's voice.”
  
• From School Library Journal: “Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability.”

5. Connections

Gather these other texts by John Green: 

• Turtles All The Way Down. ISBN 0525555374
  
• An Abundance of Katherines. ISBN 9780142410707
  
• Paper Towns. ISBN 9780142414934
  

Gather these other contemporary YA books: 

• Albertalli, Becky. Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda. ISBN 006234868X
  
• Chobsky, Stephen. The Perks of Being A Wallflower. ISBN 9781451696196
  
• Niven, Jennifer. All the Bright Place. ISBN 0385755910
  

Read aloud sections to discuss author’s style and John Green’s specific voice

Use as a book in a high school classroom library for student choice reading as it is a high interest