Moderator---Shellie
This novel is geared toward teens. It highlights a group of misfits who have found their niche in each other. The setting is a co-ed boarding school near Birmingham, Alabama. Alaska (from the book's title) is a female student who has aligned herself with the group. Playing elaborate pranks on other students and the school itself is part of the story. The deep friendship and loyalty to each other is another major theme. The group is also very bright. Alaska loves reading. Miles, the main character, has memorized the final words of historical people. Chip, his roommate, knows all the countries in the world.
The author, John Green, is obsessed with people's last words. He attended Indian Springs School outside of Birmingham, Al. The one class most mentioned in the story is a religion class. Green had a double major in English and Religious studies upon college graduation. At one point, he intended to become a Episcopal priest. His own background helps weave this story together.
(From our banned books series)
It appears on the American Library Association list of most challenged books of 2012. Both Sumner and Knox counties in Tennessee banned the book from the school curriculum because of the 2 page oral sex scene. Parents of 9th graders in Colorado (Ft. Lupton) challenged the use of the book in the classroom for not only the sexual content, but also for the consumption of alcohol by some of the characters along with smoking and swearing. The Depew school board in New York allowed its use for instruction with an alternative selection for those opting out of the Green book.
Culver Creek Cuisine
Cheddar cheese ball, cheeses,
sausage and crackers. Peanut butter
kisses, pecan balls, and chocolate/
walnut cookies.
Bans/Challenges???
"Shouldn't be banned. Kids would go
looking for it if they were determined on
reading it."--Shellie
"I agree with it being banned because
of the way sex was depicted."--Judy
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