Looking for Alaska

Green, J. (2005). Looking for Alaska. NY: Dutton.  Miles Halter leaves his home in Florida to attend Culver Creek Preparatory High School in Alabama for his Junior year.  Upon his arrival, he soon meets his roommate, Chip, an intelligent rapper, Takumi, and an outgoing but troubled girl named Alaska.  The four become close friends continuously rebelling against the rules of the school by drinking and smoking and by playing pranks on the rich kids of the school. On the anniversary of her mother's death, a drunk Alaska crashes her car and dies.  The gang suspects suicide, and they feel guilty because they did not stop her from driving drunk.  In the end, they forgive Alaska for dying and they put closure to her death recognizing they will never know what truly happened the night of her deadly car wreck.  This is a great book, but it is definitely for mature readers 14 to 17 due to the sexual content and alcohol abuse.  This book really made me think about the mindset of teenagers and how they so often think they are invincible. Teenagers who have lost a loved would be able to relate to this book.  It would be helpful in teaching awareness of teen substance abuse, suicide, and death of a family member. This novel relates to Havighhurst's theory that adolescents must develop morals and values. Soon upon his arrival to Culver Creek, Miles began to smoke, drink, and get involved in sexual situations.