Review by Andreana Ferro
Miles Halter leaves home to attend Culver Creek Preparatory High School in search of what he calls “The Great Perhaps.” He becomes friends with The Colonel and Alaska Young who are known for rule breaking and pranks. Miles falls in love with the idea of Alaska, but she has a troubled past. When a tragic accident occurs, Miles must uncover what it means to live and love.
I really enjoyed this book because it was realistic. The characters were interesting and believable. The author did a great job with the tough themes of life and death by creating an overarching motif using religion.
A quote that stood out: “When Fillmore was dying, he was super hungry. But his doctor was trying to starve his fever or whatever. Fillmore wouldn’t shut up about wanting to eat, though, so finally the doctor gave him a tiny teaspoon of soup. And all sarcastic, Fillmore said, ‘The nourishment is palatable,’ and then died. No truce.”—Miles Halter (Pudge)
Looking for Alaska is well worth a read and not just for teens or fans of Green’s other novels like The Fault in our Stars. This novel won the Michael L. Printz Award in 2005 and is in development to be a major motion picture.
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About the Reviewer: Andreana Ferro has been an Information Services Assistant at Tredyffrin Library since 2013 and is a Children’s Librarian at the Warminster Library. She enjoys nature hikes, the beach, writing, and singing.
