Book Review: Looking For Alaska by John Green

Title: Looking For Alaska
Series:N/A
Author: John Green
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books  
Publication Date: 3rd June 2006 
Pages: 263 (changes per edition)
Special Features: N/A
ISBN: 9780007209255

Synopsis:

In the dark beside me, she smelled of sweat and sunshine and vanilla and on that thin-mooned night I could see little more than her silhouette, but even in the dark, I could see her eyes -- fierce emeralds. And not just beautiful, but hot too."  BEFORE. Miles Halter's whole life has been one big non-event until he starts at anything-but-boring Culver Creek Boarding School and meets Alaska Young. Gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, screwed up and utterly fascinating she pulls Miles into her world, launches him into a new life, and steals his heart. But when tragedy strikes, and Miles comes face-to-face with death he discovers the value of living and loving unconditionally.  AFTER: Nothing will ever be the same. 

John Green is quite a well known author in the Young Adult book industry and his books are quite popular. I was excited when I came across this book and instantly bought it, and it wasn't long until I became engorged in it. But currently I'm in the hardest part of my academic life and was stuck reading in between classes, even in classes.

For me Looking For Alaska was a book about self discovery, growing up and friendship.... all which speak directly to teens. It also deals with a large variety of concerning problems for teenagers one main one being grief of a lost friend and another peer pressure. All which make the book relatable for the reader's and had great affect over me.

I was quite surprised by the characters, I never thought I would come across so many different personalities in one book. There is a number of over the top and impressionable characters in the book one being Alaska, another being Chip, or otherwise known as Colonel these are balanced out by much quieter main character Miles/Pudge. Throughout the book we see a big change in all characters especially Miles, who arrived at Culver Creek School as quite a loner, and wasn't expecting any difference by coming here, but instead became a whole new person.

But there are downsides of the book for me. Towards the end of the book I became quite in-interested and I think part of this was due to my confusion of the book (which could just be due my lack of reading time and constant unwilling breaks). Another downside of this book is two slightly graphic scenes which should maybe not be placed in a YA book, I get the necessary need though, as it tackled an important issue of sexual relations. After searching the book I didn't come across any warnings warning off younger children/teens, which I would of highly recommended they do.

All in all the book was pretty good, and carried an assortment of important messages.
It's worth reading, even if I didn't like it as much as I had hoped, there's plenty of people who would completely disagree with me, and argue it is one of the best YA books. So check it out.

I give this book....