• Home
  • Blue Ribbon
  • Pictures
  • Calendars
    • District Activities
    • HS/MS Calendar
  • Pages
    • Band
    • District Website
New Haven Banner
Contact us:

Looking for Alaska: Find This Book

4/20/2015

 
John Green, successful author of novels such as Fault in Our Stars; Will Grayson,Will Grayson; and Paper Towns, released a book long before the rest. The book Looking for Alaska shows how Mr. Green’s style has evolved throughout his books. Being one of his earliest books, it is written in a tone that seems less experienced than his newer books. His book is not a terrible novel, nor is it one you should pass by. However, if you don’t connect with the storyline from the beginning, it may not ever come into clarity.
You have to enter the story with an open mind, ready to be Miles Halter. Some may not be able to connect with this book because of the type of personalities that are encountered.

Looking for Alaska starts off with the character named Miles Halter. Miles leaves his home in Florida to attend Culver Creek Preparatory High School in Alabama. Upon arrival, he meets his roommate, Chip Martin, who has the nickname “the Colonel,” and ironically dubs Miles as “Pudge.” It is Chip that introduces Miles to his old friend Alaska Young. Miles is automatically and instantly attracted to this young and vibrant girl. Alaska will continue to occupy Miles’ thoughts as he narrates the story shaped around the drama of his new friends and the trouble they cause together.

When starting this book, it is easy to sympathize with Miles Halter. Miles is starting a new year in high school, at a preparatory school that he is not even sure he wants to attend. While he is narrating the story, the emotion and honest innocence that John Green portrays in this character cuts the reader to the core. When something so honest is brought before the reader, it is hard to believe the straight forward words being said, but at the same time, it’s appreciated. It is the sincerity in this character that seems to impress so many. Often, it does not enter people’s mind that to be honest  can be one of the hardest things to do. Miles Halter does not try to be anyone except himself.

As the title character, Alaska is a key player in this thrilling story. Throughout the book, she remains a mystery not only to Miles, but also to the readers. Miles describes Alaska’s bi-polar approach to life: ,“From a hundred miles per hour to asleep in a second.” It can be seen that  Alaska also has this overall fascination with the concept of dying. Though she jokes about “smoking to die” and doing risky things, that’s when she feels most alive. Although it comes off a bit morbid, this intrigues Miles, and he doesn’t know how to handle such a twisted girl that still comes off as beautiful.

Another reason you should read this book is because it can teach life lessons on friendship. The way that the book’s group of friends  work, hang out, and support each other is inspiring. There is a balance between what they all know is okay to talk about and what they let sit. Disagreements or arguments don’t last long between them, even if they do seem to occur a lot. It’s almost as if the people in the quarrel just want to get back to the fun. As a unit they seem like a system that can’t be broken. Everyone plays a part-- and Alaska is the piece that doesn’t necessarily keep them together, but makes it seem like there isn’t a better choice.

Once chosen by Alaska or Chip, you’re “in.” Just like on the first day: Miles arrived in his dorm room with Chip; Chip left the door open when he left and turned around five seconds later to ask Miles if he was going to follow. When Miles followed him out that door, he was walking into something he would never forget.

Read this book because, just like Miles, this could be a story you will always remember and hold close to your heart.

-by Tenille Duessler 





Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Book/TV/Movie Reviews
    Clubs/Activities
    Community
    Editorials
    Elementary School
    Feature Stories
    High School
    In The Classroom
    Literary Corner
    Middle School
    Scholar Bowl
    Sports
    Student Council
    Student Spotlight
    Teacher Spotlight
    Trend Stories
    Upcoming Events

Location

New Haven Banner

This site is a news resource for the New Haven, MO community. News on this site is provided by the students and staff in the New Haven School District.  

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have information you want posted or a story idea for our journalism students.

Contact Us

Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now