Long List

Looking for Alaska

John Green

"...and we're just chatting and then I'm in the middle of a sentence about analogies or something and like a hawk he reaches down and he honks my boob. HONK. An much-to-firm, two- to three-second HONK. And the first thing I thought was, OK, how do I extricate this claw from my boob before it leavesw permanent marks? and the second thing I thought was God, I can't wait to tell Takumi and the Colonel."

 

Miles Halter (Pudge) is sixteen. He's a good kid. Skinny, smart. Obsessed with famous peoples' last words. He goes searching for the "great perhaps", and ends up at boarding school. Here he meets The Colonel, a boisterous, video-game playing whirlwind. And he meets Alaska.

Miles finds his "great perhaps" in Alaska - wild, crazy, unpredictable, beautiful. But tragedy inevitably strikes, and everything changes.

A funny, tragic, intelligent book about love, death, alcohol, pranks, famous last words and poetry.

Looking for Alaska is longlisted for the Silver Inky. To vote, go here, or SMS ALASKA to 0427 777 759.

Judges' Comments: 

Matthew: A non-gender-specific book, Looking for Alaska appeals to everyone. Vivid, passionate, intensely moving and shocking. An enchanting story.

Ruby: Compelling and involving, this book went straight to my list of favourite books. Tragic and poignant. A must-read for just about anyone. 

Emily: This book is extremely sweet.  For some reason I imagine it to have the faint scent of vanilla, and ever since reading this book, that small has made me think of it.  The first half of this book is best, but the entire book is a really great read.

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