Looking For Alaska

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For my 2014 summer reading assignment I chose to read “Looking for Alaska” written by John Green, a Printz Award Winner. In this book, the major characters are Alaska Young and Miles Halter.  Miles is nicked named Pudge in the book.  This was a name given to him by his roommate, Chip because of his chicken-legged frame – heavy on the top, skinny legs on the bottom.

The book focuses on the main characters, Alaska Young, who attends to Culver Creek boarding school with his friend Miles aka Pudge.  Alaska and Miles are two completely opposite characters, Miles keeps waiting for things to happen while Alaska is the crazy, gorgeous, clever character who, although screwed up and mislead, MAKES things happen.

The two explore what is possible and impossible going through adolescence and launching into the “Great Perhaps”.  There is also a love story element in that Miles falls for Alaska, both because of her adventurous spirit, but also because she makes him feel more alive and in the moment.

Unfortunately, there is a tragic accident and Alaska loses her life.  It becomes the focus of Miles and Chip to investigate the mystery and find out who and WHY Alaska was removed from this life.

I predict that Miles will spend more time and awakening moments discovering the mysteries of his life while exploring the mystery of Alaska.  There are a lot of connections to a movie I saw this summer, Heaven is for Real.  In Heaven is for Real, a little boy, experiences a near death experience and comes back with the ability to help people answer questions they have regarding people they have loved and lost and questions regarding their own value on earth.

I recommend that you read “Looking for Alaska” it opens interesting discussions on why we are here and what our purpose is.