Looking for Alaska- Summer Reading #4

  Looking for Alaska is a very fascinating book and I think the thing that drew me to it the most was that the characters were around my same age. I thought that maybe I could relate to some of the characters because they are also in high school and I would also learn about their adventures and experiences along the way. Now, after reading the novel, I felt a connection to some of the people in different ways. Like how they have problems with friends and sometimes you have to deal with drama for example. They live a different life while going to a boarding school away from home, but in the end, they are teenagers just like my classmates and I.



  Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a novel that dives into the world of teenagers. It includes friendships, adventures, conflicts, and even love. From beginning to end, this book is a roller coaster that incorporates many different themes and lessons that can be learned along the way.

Looking for Alaska- Summer Reading #3

  "I left. It wasn't the first time Alaska had left me out of the loop, certainly, but after we'd been together so much over Thanksgiving, it seemed ridiculous to plan the prank with the Colonel but without me. Whose t-shirts were wet with her tears? Mine. Who'd listened to her read Vonnegut? Me. Who'd been the butt of the world's worst knock-knock joke? Me. I walked to the Sunny Konvenience Kiosk across from school and smoked. This never happened to me in Florida, this oh-so-high-school angst about who likes whom more and I hated myself for letting it happen now. You don't have to care about her, I told myself. Screw her.
  I chose to share this passage because I do believe that it hooks the reader. It gives the reader an insight on some of the characters, Miles and Alaska. This section shows Miles conflict about his emotions towards Alaska and how they take over him. I think it intrigues the audience enough to make them question why Alaska acts the way she did and why Miles has these confusing feelings for her. Overall, the way this passage was written will draw readers.

Looking for Alaska- Summer Reading #2

  Throughout the beginning of this book, there have been many different characters that have been introduced, however, only a few are considered main characters. Each character desires different things in their life and their time at Culver Creek. Miles, for example, decided to move from Florida to Alabama to find his "Great Perhaps"; which basically is to seek a great adventure and to find himself along the way. The other main character, Alaska, desires adventure, excitement, and danger. She has courage and liveliness and to Miles, she is utterly fascinating.
  The way this book is structured is different than most novels. It starts out where the first half of the book is about Miles and what his life is like before he is completely captivated into the world of Alaska Young. The second half is what occurs after he falls under her spell. I would definitely say I haven't seen this technique before, but I have seen many different structures similar to it.

Summer Reading: Looking for Alaska by John Green

   For my summer reading project, I chose to read "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. This story starts off with the main character, Miles "Pudge" Halter, who moves all the way from his public school in Florida, to a new, exciting boarding school in Alabama. Culver Creek Boarding School. He is interested in the fact that it is gonna be a new school, filled with new people, and new experiences. By the time he ditches his boring life back in Florida, he never expected to meet the people he did in Alabama. Not long after arriving, he met his roommate, Chip, who is also known as "The Colonel". The Colonel is a tough, muscular guy who introduces Miles to his world. Along with that, Miles meets all of the Colonel's interesting friends but one of them, however, makes a lasting impression on him. He gets caught up in the world of Alaska Young, a daring, witty, self- destructive girl who is a handful. Chip has known Alaska for a few years and together, they are friends with Takumi, a skinny, Japanese boy who is all about adventure. All together, these friends hang out, pull pranks, smoke cigarettes, and carry on many other mischievous activities. Miles never expected his life to be the way it was at Culver Creek and eventually, he gets sucked into the world of bullies, Chip, and most importantly Alaska Young.

  At the end of this book, I predict that Miles life will never be the same and he is going to be a completely different person - whether that be good or bad. Culver Creek will change his life forever.