Green, J. (2005). Looking for
Alaska: A novel. New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Miles Halter leaves his home in Florida and begins boarding
school in Birmingham, Alabama. He has not left behind very much at all as that
he has no friends, just his parents. At 16 years-old, he receives a new
nickname, Pudge. He meets his roommate, Chip, who in turn will introduce him to
Alaska, Chip’s best friend. Alaska is the girl that all the boys fall in love
with, even Pudge. Through his new
friendships, Pudge experiences drinking, smoking, pranks, and his first sexual
encounter with his first girlfriend, Laura. As their stories come to life and
they learn about each others life, Alaska reveals her unhappiness, but it is
how she dealt with it, that caused her life to end. Was it an accident or
suicide? Pudge and Chip look for clues, for answers, anything to help them cope
with the loss of their friend, Alaska.
This book is meant to be read by young adults 16 years and
up. The content of the book contains alcohol, drugs, reference to sex, and
death. Green presents a realistic fiction piece that encounter today’s teens. The
protagonist, Pudge, discovers who he is, makes friends, and deals with grief as
he lost the girl he loved, but never got to really tell. The story is full of
action as pranks are pulled on the students within the boarding school as well
as trying to stay under the Eagle’s radar.
Looking for Alaska
is the 2005 Printz Winner.
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