Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them both legions of faithful fans.

I was talking with one of my students on Friday in the library, and he told me, "Everyone I know is on a John Green kick, including you."  I didn't really think about it until then, but he is completely right.  I am on a bit of a John Green kick, and am enjoying it immensely.  Will Grayson, Will Grayson did not disappoint!

Obviously, as with any Green novel, the characters' hilarious voices are what makes it so special.  Adding in the collaboration with Levithan just made the characters even more charming and unique.  Though the two Will Graysons are the central characters, my personal favorite was Tiny Cooper, the "original" Will Grayson's gay best friend.  His eternal optimism, even in the face of disappointment (not to mention his fabulous song lyrics) made me cheer for him more than any other character.  However, both Wills were also written with such complexity; I felt like they were real.

The plot of this novel is not filled with a whole lot of action, but more the internal conflicts of the two Wills.  However, the narration is so well done that their personal thoughts and feelings seemed very eventful, even though most of what they are experiencing are "typical" teenage doubts.  Relationships, loyalty, trust, and fear of relying on someone else - I found myself genuinely caring about how the characters felt, and that's what compelled me to keep reading.  However, the humor in the novel certainly didn't hurt!

Content-wise, I will be honest, this book could offend some.  Though I absolutely adored it, I'm not sure I could handle the potential issues having it in my classroom could spark.  Language and plenty of sex references ran throughout the book, but added to what I felt were authentic teen voices.  Furthermore, it does explore the issue of homosexuality, which could be problematic in a more conservative school setting (as mine is).  However, I don't think these things were gratuitous, and literature should represent all types, even if some disagree.  In a larger library setting, this book would be entirely appropriate.  Moreover, for the right student, I think this book could have a profound effect and powerful message:  you are appreciated.

For now, I will be leaving my slight John Green kick as I embark on a few TBR books, and then devouring the Virginia Reader's Choice list.  Though no John Green is on there, I am thrilled that another David Levithan book is - Dash & Lily's Book of Dares.  Can't wait to try my second Levithan novel!

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.


I was thrilled when this book came into our school library.  After devouring Green's Looking for Alaska, I was eager to see what else he had written.  His newest offering is certain to satisfy!


Given the nature of this story, the characters have to be what drives the plot.  The narrator, Hazel, is a fantastic character.  Despite the fact that she is dying, she is humorous, insightful, and extremely compassionate.  Green did a great job making her intelligent and self-deprecating to lighten the otherwise dark mood of the story.  Augustus, or Gus as his family calls him, is one of my favorite YA love interests.  He is funny, intellectual, and 100% romantic.  Though these characters are in a situation that many teenage readers (thankfully!) have not encountered, I found them relatable and engaging the entire story.


The plot is simple, yet interesting.  Again, this was largely due to the characters and the fact that readers are invested in their story from the outset of the novel.  There were just enough twists to keep me guessing, which I also appreciated.  I feel as though I knew somewhat what was going to happen, as it is a novel about teens with cancer, but there were still surprising elements.  Watching Hazel and Gus's romance bloom was pure magic, and by the end of the book, I was sobbing (ask my husband - I woke him up!).


Content-wise, this book is actually pretty tame for a John Green novel.  There is a bit of language, but nothing that other YA books don't have.  There is also some sexuality, but everything occurred a bit more offstage than is typical in a Green book (so I understand, at least).  Certainly, there was nothing in this book that would alarm most readers.


My only (tiny!) beef with this book would be the cover art, as it is not necessarily something that would catch the eye of picky readers.  I think a lot of that could stem from the loyalty of Green's audience.  Most readers will pick up his books simply because they are written by him - and readers can probably assume they'll enjoy!  For unfamiliar readers, though, this book might need a bit of "talking up" to get them to take it home.


Overall, I would say this book is a magical novel, one that is both joyous and heartbreaking to read.  I would recommend this to both guys and girls, as it contains a little bit of something for everyone.  This is a 2012 novel not to be missed!

Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

Image and summary courtesy of Goodreads.com:

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.


First of all, a big thanks goes to The Page Sage for turning me on to this fabulous author. This was a book that I bought on a whim (the book aisle in Wal-Mart, especially when you're supposed to be buying a vacuum cleaner, is a very dangerous place), but I am so glad that I did. It truly touched my heart.

Without a doubt, the characters in this book are the best part of it. Green does a wonderful job of giving his characters little eccentricities that make them seem all the more real - and loveable. Miles "Pudge" Halter's is his love of memorizing famous last words; his roomate, Chip aka "The Colonel" loves milk and vodka cocktails and mooched cigarettes; their friend Takumi is a budding rapper. And of course, Alaska Young has so many, many quirks she manages to become as fascinating to the reader as she is to Miles. What I liked best about Alaska is even though she is the love interest, she is not idealized by Green - or even by Miles, most of the time. The other characters are up front about the fact that she can be selfish, moody, and purposefully cryptic. Making the "love interest" seem like a fresh idea, by having her be so flawed and yet sweet and caring at the same time, gave this "boy meets girl" story a welcome slant.

The plot takes a backseat to the characters in this novel, but was also completely enjoyable. Though options are limited with a boarding school as a setting, Green made the ins and outs of high school life humorous and exciting without being cliche. Although never a prankster myself (I am one of the worst liars in history), the practical jokes pulled in this book cracked me up. Perhaps my only concern as a teacher would be the amount of underage drinking (and smoking, which is nearly constant) in the novel. Though Miles himself rarely partakes, the other characters do quite often - and this frequently becomes an excuse for other mischief. Furthermore, the book is narrated by a teenage boy, and one with a very big crush. Sexuality becomes a part of the story as well.

That being said, Miles' voice makes this story compelling. He is funny, quirky, and introspective. I think that he is someone that both male and female readers can relate to, which is always welcome to teachers looking for books! Though the cover art makes more sense after reading the book, this is probably not one that would sell itself because of it. Once readers are hooked, however, they will definitely fall in love.

Overall, I would say that this book is one that can come with a cautious recommendation. The sex and partying make it questionable for all audiences. Though the sex isn't graphic, it leaves very little to the imagination. The drinking is much more in the forefront, which could also be a concern. For a more mature reader or audience though, this book comes highly recommended. I can't wait to read another of his novels!