Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Looking for Alaska

Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Review: Read this. If you're in high school (or have been...recently), read this. At times - as a teacher - I thought the language was a bit rough, but it's realistic, too.

Pudge is starting life at a new school. He's convinced his parents to send them to his father's alma mater - a boarding school far away from home. Once he leaves his old self behind he meets some very unique friends, the scholarship kids, the Colonel and Alaska. Not only are these new friends nothing like he's had before, they turn his world upside down.

Pudge is your average out-of-place teen, and his voice in this book is amazing. Halfway through the twist really threw me and I didn't know if I'd want to continue reading, but Pudge and his friends reel you back in.

Sidenote: This book is hilarious. Some of my students caught me laughing while we were reading (silently) in class and wondered what in the world was wrong with me. But really, it's just funny, and true, and heartwarming, and sad, and lots of others. Highly recommend it.

Currently Reading: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

1 comment:

Katie said...

Hi! I found you through 20sb. I've seen a couple of my students read this book. It sounds pretty good. I'm reading the City of Ember series right now, but I'll add this one to my list of YAL to read this year. Nice blog by the way!