Predictions- Looking for Alaska

Earlier in the week I started reading Looking for Alaska by John Green. I decided to read this book because The Fault in Our Stars, also by John Green, is my favorite book. Since I liked that book so much, I wanted to see what his other writing is like. So far, I have really enjoyed this book. Green made the characters relatable and likeable, and the storyline is very interesting.

In the beginning of the book, you are introduced to the main character, Miles, and learn that he has decided to go to Culver Creek so he can find his "Great Perhaps" (5). Not long later, you are introduced to Alaska, a girl on campus who doesn't exactly fit in with the norm. As they become friends, you are able to learn a lot about her character through the little things she says. I predict that by spending time with Alaska, Miles will be able to discover what his Great Perhaps is. I think that by learning about her, he will learn things about her that helps him make realizations about himself.

Also, based off of the title "Looking for Alaska", I predict that something will happen to Alaska. Along with the title saying that someone is looking for her, the book is divided into two sections, "Before" and "After", which may mean before and after something happens to her. I'm not positive what will happen to her, but from some of the things she has said, it may have something to do with the things that have happened in the past. On page 80, she said "'I'm just scared of ghosts, Pudge. And home is full of them.'" These two quotes show that bad things have happened to her in the past, and that she is scared to go back to where they happened.

I'm excited to see what happens next!

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Summary

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl wouldn't be as good "if this was some normal fictional young-adult book..." (270).

This book is by Jesse Andrews and is told by the main character, Greg, as he takes you through the events of his senior year. Well, let's just say that the "events" aren't very extraordinary. All Greg wants is to not be noticed. In the beginning of the book, he was perfectly happy - he was acquaintances with everyone, so there was never any reason for anyone to pay attention to him. But then Rachel (or from the title, the dying girl) comes into the picture. She was a childhood friend who he hadn't seen until his mom forced him to spend time with her after she was diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout the book, they develop a strange friendship, if even that.

Well let me tell you, this was definitely not your average book. Greg narrates, which adds humor to the book. Greg eats, sleeps, drinks sarcasm. He also says pretty much everything that comes to his mind. You can tell that it was suppose to be written by a teenager, and Greg even said, "This book is a disgrace to the English language. To all languages" (291). The style of the writing is very casual, which for me could be a little annoying at times. When he is describing a conversation, it is sometimes written to look like a play script. The weirdest thing for me was that it was so different than anything I have ever read.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I thought it was funny, and although there were some things that I didn't like about it, the good things overpowered the bad things. The book was relatable, and you really get to know Greg's character since he narrates. As he put it on page 170, "If after reading this book you come to my home and brutally murder me, I truly do not blame you." I would recommend this book to high schoolers who enjoy a laugh every once and a while.

The Best Thing about the Book- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

I am reading Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. The best thing about this book so far is the voice the author gave to the main character, Greg. Through his voice, you can completely understand his character. He is sarcastic and very random, which makes him very funny. This also makes the book very interesting to read. Also, many high school students can relate to him because they either act like him or know someone who does.

On page 140, it says, "I had this badger imagine in my head for some reason! That badger was awesome!" Here it shows the kind of things that go through Greg's mind. This is very random, and it makes the reader laugh when things like this come out of the blue. Also, on page 119 Greg says, "And that statement immediately became piece #16087 of the Mom v. The Truth." His voice and the exaggeration shows annoyance, which is a common characteristic of him.

Greg's voice helps make the book relatable and fun to read. He is sarcastic, funny, and random, and he makes this book is very unique.