You Must Find Alaska!

John Green's "Looking for Alaska" is a compelling, well written, well developed novel about friendships, decision making, responsibility, and journey. The main characters in this novel, Miles aka Pudge, Chip aka The Colonel, and Alaska, are beautifully developed and allows for the reader to dive into their stories.
Pudge, the main character, is an upper middle class young man fascinated by last words. He was always kind of a loner and upon moving to Culver Creek, he develops friendships that he will never forget. Pudge has many first experiences through out the novel, his first time smoking, drinking, first relationship, and his first sexual experience and readers have the ability to see into these first experiences right along with him.
The Colonel, is the trouble maker of the boys. He is attending Culver Creek on a scholarship and lives in a trainer park back home. He really enjoys attending Culver Creek and does not want to loose his scholarship, although he comes dangerously close at times. The Colonel is the mastermind behind pranks played on the Weekend Warriors (the wealthier crowd). His laid back personality really helps Pudge is loosen up and become more adventurous.
The young, sexy Alaska Young catches Pudge's eye right away. She is quite a feminist and can certainly stand on her own two feet. Alaska is The Colonel's partner in crime, always wanting to help out with pranks. She is also quite promiscuous and loves to walk the thin line of explosion at Culver Creek. There is never a dull moment around Alaska and little did she know, she would unite her group of friends in a way that she never thought possible.
Definitely a must read YA novel. The book is filled with humor and friendship, however, also filled with sorrow, and iffy behavior.