Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: YA
Pages: 221
Challenges: What's in a Name, Young Adult
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5 stars

Simple Description: 
Miles Halter isn't the most popular guy, in fact, he doesn't even have any friends.  He has decided to make some changes with his life and that involves finishing highschool at a boarding school in Alabama.  His roommate, Chip, becomes his best friend.  Chip is incredibly smart and also dirt poor.  Chip introduces Miles to Alaska.  Alaska is also appears to be poor and very smart.  Both of these individuals become Mile's best friends.  Alaska and Chip are also into pranks and drinking and smoking.  Miles is being introduced to a lot at this boarding school and he loves it.   He is also falling in love with Alaska, even though she already has a boyfriend.

This book takes us through a school year for Miles.  Miles really grows this year, he is forced to in a way.

I really don't want to say more though, because I don't want to give anything away.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
I thought this book was really really good.  I thought the writing was excellent.  The storyline flowed very well and kept my interest.  You couldn't help but really like Miles.  In fact, while Alaska's mood swings were a bit annoying (but oh so true for a teenage girl!), you loved all the main characters.  It actually made me wish that I had been sent to boarding school so I could experience this too.  Of course, living in dorms in college is probably the same thing.

I read this with a couple other ladies, one of which doesn't really read YA's, and we all loved this book.  Definitely one that I recommend.


This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

5 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I love books set at boarding schools because I always thought it would be so cool to attend one. I'm sure it wouldn't be like the ideal I have in my mind, but I still like to read about it. I'm glad to see this book is good.

Anonymous said...

I read this recently and really enjoyed it too. I really liked the characters and thought the prank with the male stripper was excellent :)

Unknown said...

Bermudaonion - I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thinks a boarding school could have been fun!

Rhinoa - lol! The stripper prank was awesome!

cedar chest said...

I buy this book last week and I am on the last chapter of it. I had a great time reading it and every chapter is so exciting. So far I can say that it is a must read book.

Unknown said...

Cedar Chest - so glad you liked it! It is a great read..for adults and kids.