About This Book
John Green's award-winning debut, Looking for Alaska, follows Miles Halter, a teenager obsessed with famous last words, as he enrolls in a boarding school in search of life's 'Great Perhaps.' He quickly befriends a group of misfits, including the enigmatic and unpredictable Alaska Young, with whom he falls in love. The story is sharply divided into 'Before' and 'After' sections, marked by a tragic event that forces Miles and his friends to grapple with profound grief, guilt, and the search for meaning in the face of inexplicable loss. This novel is a powerful exploration of coming-of-age, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships, but parents should be aware it contains mature themes including a sexually explicit scene, profanity, and significant references to teenage alcohol and tobacco use. It is highly recommended for mature young adult readers (ages 14+) and is often used in high school curricula for its literary merit and thematic depth.
The award-winning, genre-defining debut from John Green, the #1 bestselling author of The Anthropocene Reviewed and The Fault in Our Stars Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award • A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist • A New York Times Bestseller • A USA Today Bestseller • NPR’s Top Ten Best-Ever Teen Novels • TIME magazine’s 100 Best Young Adult Novels of All Time • A PBS Great American Read Selection • Millions of copies sold! First drink. First prank. First friend. First love. Last words. Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words—and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet François Rabelais called the “Great Perhaps.” Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young, who will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps. Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another. A modern classic, this stunning debut marked #1 bestselling author John Green’s arrival as a groundbreaking new voice in contemporary fiction. Newly updated edition includes a brand-new Readers' Guide featuring a Q&A with author John Green
Discussion Prompts
1
Miles is fascinated by famous last words and the 'Great Perhaps.' What do you think the 'Great Perhaps' means, and what might your own 'Great Perhaps' be?
2
The book is divided into 'Before' and 'After' Alaska's death. How does this structure impact your understanding of the story and the characters' journey?
3
The characters grapple with the idea of a 'labyrinth of suffering.' What do you think this labyrinth represents, and how do the characters try to navigate it?
4
Alaska is a complex character. What are some of her strengths and weaknesses, and how do her actions affect those around her?
5
Miles and the Colonel feel immense guilt after Alaska's death. How do they process this guilt, and what does the book suggest about forgiveness, both for others and for oneself?
6
The book depicts teenagers engaging in risky behaviors like drinking and pranks. How does the novel portray the consequences of these actions, and what conversations might this spark about choices and responsibility?
External Reviews
NYT Bestseller
Young Adult Paperback
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