Review Detail

Reader reviewed by mearley

Miles Halter is a new student at an Alabama boarding school.  He is quickly drawn into a circle of friends bound by their prank war against another clique and their quest to find a safe place to smoke where the dean won't bust them.  Miles, like many other boys at the school, falls in love with Alaska, an intriguing girl who is the group's clear leader.  None of them, however, are prepared for the shock Alaska is going to give them.

Graphic discussion of sex and liberal use of alcohol make this only appropriate for more mature high school students.  However, John Green's excellent writing style and examination of the meaning of life, suicide, and the possibilities of life after death raise this novel above the typical sex-booze-and-pranks-at-boarding-school story.