Journal Entry #1

At the begining of “Looking for Alaska” we are introduced to Miles Halter. Miles seems to be the average teenager but doesn’t exactly fit in as his High school in Florida. Due to this, and the fact that Miles wants a bit more adventure and freedom, Miles decides to attend Culver Creek private school in Alabama. Miles seems like a very relatable character just by his introduction in this first quarter of the book. He is described to be a bit scrawnier, not too popular, trying to fit in and a really good guy. Just reading the first few chapters, you really start to find yourself liking Miles as well as rooting for him.

Once Miles arrives in Culver Creek, the author creates the picture of the school campus with great success. It’s very simple to see the image and scenery that the author is trying to create due to the order in which he describes the school grounds. The six dorm buildings all in a circle, the school building just outside that, a lake nearby, bits of forestry and lastly, the “Eagle’s” spot within the dorm circle ( concluding the tour). After Miles is dropped off and his parents leave, Miles is introduced to Chip Martin (the Colonel) and then also quickly introduced to the beautiful Alaska Young followed by Takumi the following morning. Miles, along with us readers, are also introduced to the idea of “Weekday Warriors”. This is the group of student who live at the school solely on weekdays and then run back home to air conditioning. They’re described as the stereotypical rich snobs and are also immensely disliked by the Colonel and many other students outside of the warrior group.

During his first few days at Culver Creek, we see Miles beginning to take up smoking in order to fit in better with his new “group” and to help him look a bit cooler. I think the way that Miles talks himself into smoking was a great example on how there can be pressure to do something whether your peers or anyone else tries to purposely pressure you or not. Simply being around a certain action can influence someone to think it would possibly be a good idea for them to join in as well to help fit in or create their ideal image.

Reading the first 55 pages of “Looking for Alaska” has been very excited to continue reading the rest of the book.  John Green has done a fabulous job at capturing my interest and attention as a reader and has made me look forward to seeing everything that will happen next. Whenever I pick it up, I can never seem to put it down. I can’t wait to see what else unfolds.

-Lauren