Looking for Alaska
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 Francois Rabelais called the “Great Perhaps.” Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.
Green was awarded the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award for Looking for Alaska. It is taught in many high school and college curricula and has been published in more than fifteen languages.
If you’ve read the book and are completely prepared for spoilers, visit the Looking for Alaska Questions page for much, much more information on the book.
Awards
Winner, 2006 Michael L. Printz Award
Finalist, 2005 Los Angeles Times Book Prize
2006 Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults
2006 Teens’ Top 10 Award
2006 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
A Booklist Editor’s Choice Pick
Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection
Borders Original Voices Selection
Reviews (SPOILER ALERT!)
“Green…has a writer’s voice, so self-assured and honest that one is startled to learn that this novel is his first. The anticipated favorable comparisons to Holden Caufield are richly deserved in this highly recommended addition to young adult literature.”
-VOYA
“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.”
-School Library Journal, Starred Review
“The spirit of Holden Caulfield lives on.”
-KLIATT
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
The first John Green book I read! Love it!
Ha ha, same! I absolutely loved it too.
omg same 2! am addicted to john green now!
Has been my favorite book ever since I read it a year ago. :)
Through the span of my high school career, tragedy struck my city and several friends, peers and classmates passed away. My mother hesitated to even allow me to read Looking for Alaska fearing how my psyche would respond since I’d been battling with depression. This novel gave me a comforting feeling that I wasn’t alone in tragedy, several others have asked the same questions, hurt, and ached as I have- helping me heal and cope.
John’s portrayal of the racing mind of a high schooler facing a struggle of this caliber is spot on, and makes for a great, rich and enjoyable read.
Looking For Alaska changed my life. I was in such a terrible state of mind, but this book, this amazing book, gave me a sense of hope and forced me to actually think about life. I feel like Looking For Alaska is a part of me. Alaska Young may be fictional, but to me, she is and will always be real. Thank you John Green, for writing a book that truly made me feel.
Wonderful Comment. :)
Couldn’t agree more.
this is exactly how I felt about this book <3 changed. my. life.
Truly amazing :)
This is my favorite book EVER! I can’t wait to get Will Grayson will grayson when I got to the store tomorrow!
I am still finishing this book but at the end of the before I cried my eyes out and gave my self a headache the next day from too much weeping…it was worth it. I wish my friend would hurry and read it so we could disscuss it together. TO JOHN: thank you so much for writing this amazing novel.
Are they going to make a movie out of Looking for Alaska or Paper Towns or any of your other books?
I doubt they will but I think it would be a fantastic idea. I’m a guy, and I’m not really into much romance or whatever but when I read Looking For Alaska and Paper Towns, I automatically thought there should be movies for them.
This book made me cry…multiple times…I love it!
The most profound book I’ve ever read…it really changed my life. You’re the best, John.
I love your book, It is my all time favorite book I have like 3 copies of it and have read it about 8 times in the past 3 years. I think its incredible and I just wanted to thank you so much for writing it!! ;)
I absolutley love “looking for alaska”. I read it 4 times and would gladly read it again. If a movie comes out id love to see it, but i doubt it would be a s intruiging and captivating as the book. I look forward to reading more John Green books. :)
Sincerely,
Laura
When I met John Green for the first time, it took everything in me not to cry as I told him how this book, his book, changed my life.
Looking for Alaska came to me in a time of pain and hate for my family.
My parents were going through a terrible divorce, and when I found this book, I locked myself in my closet and read. I read for four hours, and had the book finished. I couldn’t stop crying. And when it was done, so was the screaming and the fighting. I was in a whole new world.
LFA helped me see the good in life. That, no matter how bad things were, they could be worse.
In complete honesty, this book beat out The Outsiders for me as my number one book of choice. I’ve read it twice in a period of less than 4 months…and am planning on reading it again soon. Also, when I come into money, I will be buying the hardcover copy because I liked it that much. Fantastic book!! Even told more people about it, whom said the same thing.
I’ve always been told not to put myself in the character’s place while reading a book, because it’s “unrealistic” and “not worth it”. But in “Looking For Alaska”, i was Alaska. It was amazing how much she and i had in common. My mother passedd away in front of me when i was four of and Asthma attack. Ever scince then, i’ve beeen just as Alaska was. This book showed me the true value of life, and how to live it. Just as Max S., a few comments above mine said, “Looking For Alaska changed my life.” I’m not sure how to descibe how it did, because to be honest, i’m not entirely sure. Thank you, John Green, for giving me what I needed to know. You’re my inspiration.
“Looking For Alaska” I read it about 4 years ago. And I fell in love with the book. And now it has become a habit where I reread it every year. Keep writing lovely books.
One of my good friends died in a car accident January 9, 2009 and I was so lost and heartbroken. After picking up this book, Green’s raw and honest intellectual portrayal of youth and tragedy was the comfort that I was searching for. I passed on the book to others that were grieving and it was a comfort to them as well. Alaska and Pudge were more than just characters, they’re spirits live on.
This is definitely one of the best books I have ever read and definitely my favorite boo you have written, however I haven’t read Will Grayson, Will Grayson yet so maybe that will change.
Looking For Alaska is definitely my favourite book. It has helped me so much to get through life and make me happy. Thank you, John Green, for making my life better, you have no idea how much this book means to me and how lost I would be without it. You inspire me.
When i read this i wanted to be exactly like alaska. i read paper towns first and LOVED it and this book was my last, but was what kept me looking for more. i am a HUGE fan.
I read this book in several hours, it was that good that I could not put it down, even while at work. I fell in love with “Pudge”, “The Colonel”, and Alaska, what amazing characters, I felt I was able to connect to them, whether or not I had been in any situation that was similar or not. Thank you so much for writing a incredible book when really there are so few for teenagers.
I love when books make me cry. And laugh.
I loved this book. I identified with Alaska. I identified with all of Pudge’s feelings after what happened. I think I identified with all of them. This book made me cry, laugh, love… everything.
John I can’t thank you enough for writing this novel. You might have saved my life. “After all this time, it still seems to me like straight and fast is the only way out– but I choose the labyrinth. The labyrinth blows, but I choose it.”
This book was amazing! I started reading John Green’s Paper Towns at the beginning of the Summer. I have read all his books except Will Grayson, Will Grayson and I am awaiting its arrival so I can lol. I love the way he writes. The way he brings you in and makes you fall in love with the characters. When I read I Love trying to figure out plots and reasonings. In other words trying to figure it out before it ends.
{[SPOILER: when Alaska died I felt like I had to Find out why before I could go on once I read about the flowers in the back and the flowers in the creek It all clicked that Green would have her mention the exact date of Alaska's Mom's Death.]}
John Green is Brilliant but obviously everyone in this forumn already Knows that :)
This book was beautiful, and so incredibly accurate with everything, I cried. The message John Green portrayed changed how I though of things, and it changed me, as a person. Any piece of literature that is able to change somebody like that, literally change how they look at things, is incredibly powerful. I reread the last 3 pages almost every week to remind myself that life is life, and we are in fact invincable no matter how much sadness or negativity we are faced with. It’s all gorgeous…every single line. You are gifted John Green, truly gifted. Words cannot express my gratitude towards you.
Best. freaking. book. EVER.
Most completely AGREED
I would love to read this book, is supposedly is very good.
Unfortunately I can’t buy the English version as an eBook. Why? Because I live in Germany.
I either have to read a translation (and I really don’t want to) or I have to wait a long time to get the paperback/ hardcover shipped.
Not the best way to keep people interested in your books.
If I am still interested in your books, maybe I’ll get the eBook when next I am in the US (probably in 2012), if …
It’s almost four in the morning… And I can’t finish this book, even though I stayed up all night to finish it.
I am so utterly overwhelmed with sadness that I’m sick.
You have done an amazingly terrible thing. I don’t cry over books. Ever. But this… It felt like I was there…watching her die. I am afraid to read the rest, because I don’t want to cry anymore.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I’ll read the rest then.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful, horribly sad story.
this book was so good that after i got it at the library i went out and bought it. it really spoked to me. the ending was so powerful i didnt want it to end.i cryed. it was so sad.cant wait for the movie. <33333
Can someone help me find the quote in Looking for Alaska about how people need to live for the present, not for what will happen after death?
This book was absolutely amazing. WHat got me is the character. Each character had an amazing personality and I immediately got attached to them.
To anyone who has not read this book I reccomend it to everyone. This is the only book ive read so far that has made me cry my eyes out and actually get a headache from so much crying. It’s the kind of book that touches you emotionally and you will never forget it.
I love the book. But why John???? Why did you have to make her die?!?!?!??!?! Like it makes me mad why couldn’t she live?!?!?!?!
Ugh please I loved this book up until then, now I don’t even wanna read anymore. But I will anyways.
I just felt so connected to the characters Alaska was awesome I wish I could meet a person like her.
Whenever someone asks me what my favorite book is, I instantly answer “Looking for Alaska”. I have a copy that I take EVERYWHERE with me. It lives in my purse and if someone says something at school that I think could be influenced by it, I will whip out my copy and quote directly from it. Thank you for the book that makes every one of my days better when I re-read it.
I just finished reading the book like 20 mins ago and tears are still streaming down my face even as I type. I truely felt the pain of the characters and i even mourn Alaska’s death. Life’s Labirynth. Im heart broken and the book was so great it feels good. Just wow. </3
This is absolutely one of my favorite books of all time. You have a true gift as an author. I cried my eyes out and felt genuine emotions for these strong characters. How could someone not fall in love with these kids? Your book made me think, and wonder, and live a little. Thank you.
This is the greatest book I have ever read! I suggested it to all my friends and every one of them loves it (probably not as much as I do though). Anyways, I love how I finally found a book/author that takes me on a journey with the story, and also makes me think and feel about how the concepts apply to life in general. This is still the only book that makes me cry. Bravo, John Green. I am a huge, HUGE fan.
Oh my John…
Yesterday I finished Looking for Alaska! It’s fantastic!
I cried so much… because Alaska is my idole. Alaska is free. She’s a diva! She likes reading( like me.) but she’ s a rebel.
I really loved the professor Hyde, because… emh, he can see the real meaning of the faith.
Did you know that the last famous words are my passion too?
Ha Ha Ha…. John ,John, John, I’m crazy! ( yep. )
So now, I must go. My dear John, please contact me!
Kisses from Jenna ;)
I have to admit..This book by far was the most incredible book I have ever read. It inspired me..to live my life. It gave me a different sense of what I should be doing with my life. I related to Pudge in the sense that he is an excellent student..who doesn’t really have a lot of friends at first. I realized I had to stop standing by and watching my life go on without me really participating in it. In fact when I was told to write letter to an author for a school assignment, I chose John Green and this book. This book opened my eyes and made me question everything. It was entertaining and funny. It is by far my favorite book. I’m finally living my life and enjoying it. This book is truly life changing. Thank you for that.
Chuck Norris approves this book. Again.
John Green wrote about very special characters – in all his books.
But there are all likeable.
he’s a very great author.
I have read “Looking for Alaska” five times in less than two years. I cry every time I read it. I followed her words when getting out of my own labyrinth, “straight and fast.” This Book has helped me set a course to find my own “Great Perhaps.” Maybe I’ll find it. Thanks
Never cried reading a novel before until this one. Finished the book in one night and loved it.
Everyone suffers from tragedy, we can’t escape it but we can choose how to respond to it.
Alaska, although the story revolved around her, never got to share her story from cover to cover. At first she was a secondary character, in the “Before”. Then in the “After” she became a metaphor of facts and fantasy from which the Colonel and Miles grew from. She had a story, but she never had a voice. What WAS she thinking or doing the second before she died? Was it suicide? What was she feeling from the beginning of that year up to the point of the accident? What had pushed her to get in the car and drive that night? Was she still guilty about losing her mother? All of these questions can or have been answered from Mile’s point of view, but in my opinion Alaska’s point of view was needed but absent from this story.
i just finished it, i couldt put it down this book make me laugh cry and just about everything in between.
This was my first John Green book and I loved it! It was defenately the best book I have ever read!!!
I read this book a while ago and forgot about it remembering that it was great when I read it. My friend who showed me the book found it because of one of the youtube videos and I re-found it through youtube not even know that the vlogbrother john green wrote it. Now I will read it again and read his other books.
I never read such a great book before! It is my absolute favorite!! And the Translation into German is really brilliant, too!!
It´s a pity that only a few of peoples know this great book… it should be in each reading-list of the schools!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this ingenious book, John Green!
Sorry, I wouln´t say, that the book is generelly nonfamous. I would say in Germany.!
:)
John, Where can I buy Looking For Alaska In The UK which isn’t online?
First book by John Green I have ever read. I LOVED it. It also changed the way that I think about most things. I Currently own two copys and am looking for another hardcover. <3