Novel Review Response

            I agree with this review completely. I really liked the way that it summarized the book, adding the key points and interesting things about the book, without spoiling any important events. I really liked how he added that Pudge’s way of looking at things were changed after going through everything he went through with both Alaska and the Colonel. It was clear to us after reading it what he was talking about. The fact that Pudge had no friends at his old school and then went to Culver Creek and had great moments, but also very sad moments, it is quite obvious to us that he is no longer the same boy that he was on the first day.

            I really enjoyed reading this review because it put in to perspective things that I hadn’t previously noticed. He said “The novel is populated with anti-stereotypical characters such as the sex loving girl, Alaska,  the Asian rap-master Takumi, the poor yet loving-mothered Colonel, and a headmaster who punishes the young prangsters, but cares deeply for them.”  I had never really thought about the fact that all of these characters were anti-stereotypical, I understood their character, but never realized this. I love the way that the critic wrote about this specific element of anti-stereotypical in a way that makes it sound exciting and different to read. In my opinion, many books these days include characters that are very stereotypical in one way or another. I enjoyed this book so much because it is unlike anything I’ve read before, and this review speaks about that key point of the book.

            The final thing that the review mentions is that this novel “will have teens thinking about the meaning of life and relationships,” and “the story is told in such a realistic way that readers will be sure to relate”. I agree completely with both of these statements. Many times during this book I stopped and just thought about life and the value of relationships. It really made me open up my thoughts about how other people and I look at life and death. When it comes to understanding the meaning of friendship, I think that the most important thing that I got out of it was that you shouldn’t take your friends, or anybody, for granted because you’ll never know if that will be the last time you see them. In summary, I really liked the review chosen and I could very easily relate to what the author wrote about the novel, Looking for Alaska.

Kira