Looking for Alaska by John Green

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Green, John. (2005). Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN 0142402516

PLOT SUMMARY
Sixteen year-old Miles, tired of his “minor life” in Florida, convinces his mom and dad to let him attend Culver Creek boarding school in Alabama. He is hopeful to meet real friends and to have a “more-than-minor” life as he searches for The Great Perhaps. Miles meets and befriends his genius roommate, Chip (aka Colonel), and a beautiful, articulate, adventurous girl named Alaska. He joins their small circle of friends as they bond over studying, elaborate pranks, and reckless behavior. Midway through the book a tragedy occurs and those left behind spend the latter part of the book trying to make sense of it.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS           
       Looking for Alaska

is an outstanding coming-of-age novel that readers will have a hard time putting down. John Green’s writing is genuine, crisp, passionate, and witty. Characters are intensely real, complex, and likable despite their bossiness (Colonel) and moodiness (Alaska). Readers will appreciate Green’s realistic, insightful writing style, especially in the interactions between the characters that adds both amusement and intensity to the novel –like, the sometimes one-sided interactions and growing friendship between Miles (Pudge) and Colonel.

       The novel is structured around a tragic event, divided into short chapters titled with days before the event and days after the event. The structure allows readers to understand the event’s significance to the lives of the characters. While the text includes explicit language and sexual situations, it is not gratuitous as it aids in the development of believable characters, appropriately portrayed situations, and theme development of self discovery and loss.

        Looking for Alaska is at times both humorous and heartbreaking which further highlights the range of emotions felt by teenagers as they grow into adulthood. Some readers will easily relate to characters and situations in the novel while others may read to expand their own views through the characters’ experiences. Either way, this thought-provoking, moving novel is not to be missed!  

REVIEW EXCERPTS
2006 Michael L. Printz Award

2006 ALA Top 10 Best Books for Young Adults

2006 Teen’s Top 10 Award

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “Like Phineas in John Knowles’ “A Separate Peace,” Green draws Alaska so lovingly, in self-loathing darkness as well as energetic light, that readers mourn her loss along with her friends.”

Starred review in BCCB – “Miles is a witty narrator…he’s also an articulate spokesperson for the legions of teens searching for life meaning.”

CONNECTIONS
*Teachers can use the book in literature circles that address the themes of pride, self-esteem, relationships, and death.

*Teaching notes for the book can be found here.

*Interview with John Green and discussion questions can be found here.

*More books by John Green:

Green, John. The Fault In Our Stars. ISBN 0525478817

Green, John. An Abundance of Katherines. ISBN 0142410705

*Another book that addresses similar teenage issues:

Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. ISBN 1451696191

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

I just have let you know that I LOVED this book! The audio version is fabulous -one of the best. I look forward to reading more books by Neil Gaiman. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gaiman, Neil. (2008). The Graveyard Book. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 9780060530945

Gaiman, Neil. (2008). The Graveyard Book. Narrated by Neil Gaiman. New York, NY: HarperFestival, HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0061551899

PLOT SUMMARY
The Graveyard Book tells the tale of Nobody (nicknamed Bod) Owens, whose family is murdered when he’s just an infant. Nobody inadvertently escapes being killed after climbing out of his crib, toddling out of the house to a nearby “overgrown…unfashionable” graveyard. It is there, the ghostly inhabitants and enigmatic caretaker, Silas, raise the boy and protect him from his family’s killer, “the man Jack” (a strange man who belongs to a mysterious and sinister organization).

CRITICAL ANALYSIS          
     The audio book version is an unabridged, CD format (7 discs). The audio book version is narrated by Neil Gaiman, the much celebrated author of the book. Gaiman creates perfect mood and flawless pacing in the narration of his clever and dark fantasy story about Nobody Owens.

      Each ghost in the graveyard is given a different and appropriate voice for their character and worldly life, such as Caius Pompeius’ elder stature and the poetic discourse of Nehemiah Trot. The revelation of the story’s villain is also fantastically revealed through Gaiman’s tone and pitch change in the character’s voice. The award-winning audio version is clear and without static. A special version of “Danse Macrabre” by Béla Fleck that includes banjo music is played at the beginning and end of each disc. The music perfectly enhances the overall vibe of the novel.

      Neil Gaiman has written a delightfully dark and extraordinary story about embracing the human spirit and life itself. At the end, Mrs. Owens (Bod’s graveyard mom) sings a remembered line from a lullaby to Bod: “Face your life/It’s pain, it’s pleasure/Leave no path untaken” before he leaves the graveyard to “see the world…with his eyes and his heart wide open.” Bringing new meaning to “it takes a village”, the story of Bod and his graveyard family will captivate and entertain readers.

*Guest reader, Logan, claimed he was hooked from the beginning! He said that while the audio offers a “better experience” of the book, he thinks the print version allows for a faster read.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
2009 Newbery Award

2009 Hugo Award for Best Novel

2009 Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel

2010 Carnegie Medal (British literary award)

2009 Audie Award (for audiobook edition)

Starred review in KIRKUS – “Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.”

Starred review in HORN BOOK – “Lucid, evocative prose and dark fairy-tale motifs imbue the story with a dreamlike quality. …this ghost-story-cum-coming-of-age-novel as readable as it is accomplished.”

Starred review in BOOKLIST – “This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming….this is a rich story with broad appeal.”

CONNECTIONS
*Teachers can use the book in literature circles that address the themes of personal identity, family and community, and loyalty.

*Look here for excellent teaching ideas, including suggestions for reading activities, anticipation guide questions, and introductory poems.

*Reading group guide can be found here.

*Watch and listen to Neil Gaiman read an excerpt from the book here at the book’s website. 

*More books by Neil Gaiman:

Gaiman, Neil. Coraline. Ill. by Dave McKean. ISBN 0380807343

Gaiman, Neil. M is for Magic. Ill. by Teddy Kristiansen. ISBN 0061186473

 (Collection of tales for younger readers)

Gaiman, Neil. Crazy Hair. Ill. by Dave McKean. ISBN 0060579080  (Poem)

Gaiman, Neil. Blueberry Girl. Ill. by Charles Vess. ISBN 0060838108  (Picture Book)                                                                                           

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon & Dean Hale

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hale, Shannon, & Hale, Dean. (2008). Rapunzel’s Revenge. Ill. by Nathan Hale. New York, NY: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books. ISBN 1599902885

PLOT SUMMARY
Rapunzel wonders and begins to question what is beyond the huge wall of her massive and lush castle villa. After discovering the truth about Mother Gothel and her own enslaved mother, she is locked into a magical tree tower. Full of pluck and spirit, Rapunzel bravely escapes in search of justice and to bring an end to Mother Gothel’s greed and power.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Set in the Wild West, this graphic novel written by Shannon Hale and her husband, Dean, presents an action-packed, original story featuring witty dialogue and impressive girl power. Rapunzel pairs up with Jack (and his goose) in her efforts to defeat cruel Mother Gothel and free her mother from the oppressive mines. Rapunzel’s self-sufficiency is evident in the way she uses her long braids as rope and weapons to defend both herself and Jack on their many encounters. Nathan Hale’s expressive artwork readily accompanies the story line while creating spirited characters and detailed, fantasy backdrop scenery. Readers are sure to enjoy this fast-paced, good-vs-evil, unique version of familiar fairy tales in a compelling graphic format.

*Guest reader, Reace, liked “all of the action” in the story that created anticipation to the very end!

REVIEW EXCERPTS
2009 American Library Association Notable Children’s Book

2009 YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens

Eisner Award nominee (the Oscars of comics)

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – "The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after."

Starred review in HORN BOOK – "Readers familiar with graphic novels will feel at home...Newbies may not realize how particularly well-matched the Hales' gutsy tale is to its format, but this introduction--with its high action quotient, immediate sensory thrills, and wisecracking heroes--should win many converts. With such a successful debut, one hopes to see more graphic novels from this trio."

Starred review in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY – “With its can-do heroine, witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly everybody."
CONNECTIONS
* Teachers can use the book in literature circles that address the theme of perseverance as well as the role of women and girl characters in fairy tales.

*A teaching guide is available here.

*A readers theatre script can be found here.

*A Newbery Award winning book by Shannon Hale:

Hale, Shannon. Princess Academy. ISBN 1599900734

*Another graphic novel from Shannon and Dean Hale:

Hale, Shannon & Dean. Calamity Jack. Ill. by Nathan Hale. ISBN 1599903733