2014+Looking+For+Alaska

OUR LOOKING ALASKA STUDY SHOCASE DISCUSSION DIRECTOR By doo0006 Pgs. 237-249
 * 1) What went through your head when Dr William Morse/ MAXX started stripping?
 * 2) How did you feel about Alaska Young memorial prank?
 * 3) Did you think building the playground for Alaska Young was a good idea? Or should they only of built swings?
 * 4) Should the Colonel of told Pudge (Miles) about the prank that was planned for Alaska or was it better to not tell him?
 * 5) Was the prank a good prank in the end in memorial for the one and only Alaska Young?

DOO0006;

//Looking for Alaska.// **__ Connector. __** **5/11/14**  __ Text to self; __

Pg.69, ‘you just use the future to escape the past’.

I find this quote a good saying because most people plan a good future and choose good choices mostly because they haven’t had a great past and it is what I do.

Pg.104 ‘I took the first feet approach, and once I got my feet on the ground, I limboed my upper body out of the window. Alaska had said to pudge “well, that looked awkward.”

Has something like this ever happened to me?

Something like this has happened to me, it was while I was going on a trip to Melbourne and let me tell you it is really awkward specially if people are watching and you are in a hurry, so everyone had a break out of the bus and the bus driver had locked us in, thinking no one was on the bus and we really need to go to the toilet so we jumped out of the window. Artist. looking for Alaska. by doo0006



DOO0006 looking for Alaska.
 * VOKI:**

LOOKING FOR ALASKA By GRE0015 __Text Title:__ Looking For Alaska __Author:__ John Green __Discussion Director:__ Come up with 5 open-ended questions about the section of the text you have just read. Pp. ___9-35___
 * What does Pudge (Miles) first notice about Alaska? ||  What is Pudge’s talent?  ||  What else can Chip be named?  ||  What do you think will happen with Pudge and Alaska?  ||  What is another name for the Dean, Mr Starnes?  ||
 * Lyle: she was wearing cut-off jeans ||  Lyle: memorising people last words  ||  Lyle: The Colonel  ||  Lyle: she accidentally kisses him  ||  Lyle: The Eagle  ||

__Connector:__ In 4 sentences that use connecting words, explain connections that you can see between the section of text you have just read and the real world. ¼ “No drugs. No drinking. No cigarettes.” Relates to the real world because it’s similar to something my parents have said to me and as most other parents would say to their kids, “don’t do drugs, do drink, don’t smoke”. They’re just looking out for me making sure I don’t go in the wrong direction.

¼ “I made it through three entire drags before I felt nauseous and dizzy and only semi-pleasantly buzzed.” Relates because it could be something someone said to another person about smoking. They’re strong but not pleased with what they experienced.

¼ “Y’all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die.” This sentence is very deep and powerful, almost as if it’s a suicidal sentence. Obviously this person isn’t happy with their life and where they stand right now. It’s sad but powerful and meaningful.

¼ “You just use the future to escape the present.” It could relate to someone that isn’t happy with their life at that point in time and they’re a bit of a dreamer, they’re thinking ahead because it seems more interesting than their life.

__Artist:__

__Literary Luminary__ Select three special passages from this section of your reading. You might select a passage because it is; humorous, well written, important, surprising, thought-provoking, informative, confusing, controversial or other.
 * Passage 1: **pg.. 218, from __he was gone,__ to __better is useless.__ Word is.. __Labyrinth.__


 * Passage 2: **pg.. 85, from __her sweetie felt condescending,__ to __,not romantic.__ Word is.. __Condescending.__
 * Passage 3: **pg.. 177, from __I am sleeping,__ to __from her body.__ Word is.. __Luminously__
 * Passage 4: **pg.. 233, from __there is only what is,__ to __reached enlightenment.__ Word is.. __Enlightenment.__
 * Passage 5: **pg.. 260, from __she collapsed into,__ to __of herself.__ Word is.. __Enigma.__

__ Labyrinth: __ a complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one’s way: a maze: a labyrinth of passages and secret chambers. An intricate and confusing arrangement: a labyrinth of conflicting laws and regulations.

__ Condescending: __ show feeling of superiority: to be patronizing: take care not to condescend to your reader.

Do something in a haughty way, as though it is below one’s dignity or level of importance: we’ll be waiting for twenty minutes before she condescends to appear.

__ Luminously: __ full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark: the luminous dial on his watch | a luminous glow | //figurative//: her eyes were luminous with joy.

(of a colour) very bright; harsh to the eye: he wore luminous green socks. //Physics// relating to light as it is perceived by the eye, rather than in terms of its actual energy. __ Enlightenment: __ the action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened: Robbie looked to me for enlightenment.

The action or state of attaining or having attained spiritual knowledge or insight, in particular (in Buddhism) that awareness which frees a person from the cycle of rebirth. __ Enigma: __ a person or thing that id mysterious, puzzling or difficult to understand.

__Book Review:__ **__Title:__** Looking For Alaska **__Author:__** John Green **__Genre:__** Young Teenage Novel, Drama, Romance
 * **// Romance //** || Thriller || Action/Adventure || Contemporary ||
 * Horror || Historical || Crime || Science fiction ||
 * **// Drama //** || Comedy || Fantasy || **// Other //** ||

**__This book is about:__** Miles Halter is the type of high-schooler who always faded into the background at his public school in Florida. He had only a few friends and wanted only to study what he desired--memorizing the last words of people who had died. After reading the dying words of Francois Rabelais, "I go to seek a Great Perhaps", Miles is convinced that there's more to life than what he's so far experienced. Miles sets off to spend his junior and senior years at Culver Creek, a private boarding school. There he gains his first nickname "Pudge", meets his first love, Alaska Young and gains two great male friends, Chip "The Colonel" and Takumi. He also experiences getting drunk, the strangeness of smoking cigarettes, and the immature pleasure of playing pranks.

Pudge's new group of friends have their own quirks: The Colonel memorizes countries, capitals, and populations, Alaska collects books for her Life's Library that she hasn't yet read, Takumi relishes being The Fox. They all work together to annoy their teachers, avoid The Eagle (the school's dean) and pull off pranks against the rich Weekday Warriors that are the popular clique at Culver Creek.

But “//Looking for Alaska//” is mostly the story of growing up, falling in love, dealing with loss and getting through life as best as you can. **__The best thing about the book is:__** I think the best thing about the book is the characters and the detail that has been put into the whole story. The words that are used are very beautiful and they are so powerful, it reels you in and makes you feel as if you’re in the book. John Green has put a lot of effort and time into his writing and I think it’s a really really lovely book. Anyone that gets a chance to read it will not regret it, it’s definitely worth the read.

**__I didn’t like the way:__** I didn’t really like the way that it ended. I’m not going to say much because it might spoil it for some people, but I just didn’t like how it ended.

**__You might like this book if you also enjoyed:__** “The Fault In Our Stars” another powerful book by John Green.

**__A good place to read this book would be:__** Anywhere. Literally anywhere. Read it in the bath, outside, on a train, when you’re bored, having a coffee at a café. Anywhere. It doesn’t matter where you read this book, it’s always going to be a good book.

**__If this book had a soundtrack it would be:__** Songs by The Neighbourhood, Jake Bugg, Christina Perri, The 1975, Charli XCX, Mikky Ekko, Ed Sheeran, Paramore, James Arthur. People that sing slow songs that have powerful lyrics.

**__I rate this book and why:__** I rate this book about an 8 because it has so much detail and it’s so touching, powerful, beautiful. It’s just an amazing book because it sounds as if it would relate to the real world. It’s believable.

VOKI - By GRE0015

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**__Looking for Alaska by John Green. __**   **__BY DOR0006. __**


 * Words and images of things I believe the text will (or does) relate to: **




 * __Discussion director: BY DOR0006. __ **


 * Come up with five open-ended questions about the section of the text you have read. **
 * 1) ** How did you feel when you began reading this book?
 * 2) ** What did you feel might happen when Miles (referred to as Pudge throughout the book) decided to go to boarding school?
 * 3) ** Did you expect Miles to behave as his father had asked him too? Or did you think he would break the rules.
 * 4) ** Did you think that Miles and Alaska would ever end up together?
 * 5) ** What sort of emotions did you feel when Alaska passed on?


 * __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Connector: BY DOR0006 __**


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In four sentences that use connecting words, explain connection that you can see between the section of text you have just read and the real world: **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Text to text: Another book you’ve read or a text by the same author. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another text similar to ‘Looking for Alaska’ I believe would be ‘Perks of being a wallflower.’ I say this due to the main character in each book being young males trying to find themselves and experiencing new things in the world. In the beginning of both books, Charlie and Miles are both antisocial and not-so-popular people. However throughout the text they create friends and begin to live their life a bit more. This includes going to parties, trying drugs and alcohol, and both characters eventually fall deeply in love. Another text I find similar and also written by the same author (John Green) would be ‘The fault in our stars’. I say this because John Green uses the same style of writing, creating meaningful characters that are well thought out as well as the story line having to do something with love and death.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A similar experience I have in relation to the book would be moving schools and having to create new friends. Miles did this quite easy with the ‘Colonel’ when he moved to Culver Creek, as I did too when I moved primary schools.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Text to self: A similar event or experience in your life. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel this text has similarities to real world situations too. I say this because many young people in today’s society are trying to find themselves and have or are experiencing what the characters such as Miles and Alaska experienced.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Text to world: a place or time, a person or problem, something that happened at home or school, etc. **


 * __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Artist: BY DOR0006. __**


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Choose five events that take place through the book that you think could be illustrated in some way. List your choices in __chronological__ order. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1) ** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What I pictured Miles’ going away party to be.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) ** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What I believed the boarding school looked like.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3) ** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My personal belief of what Alaska Young looked like.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4) ** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What I pictured the smoking hole to look like.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">**5)** How I pictured Alaska’s room.




 * __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Literary Luminary: BY DOR0006 __**


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Select at least three special passages from this of your reading. You might select a passage because it is; humorous, well written, important, surprising, though-provoking, informative, confusing, controversial or other. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think this quote is very deep and really brings you to think about death and how exactly it occurs. I selected this passage because it can often be a thought that crosses my mind.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1) “What is an "instant" death anyway? How long is an instant? Is it one second? Ten? The pain of those seconds must have been awful as her heart burst and her lungs collapsed and there was no air and no blood to her brain and only raw panic. What the hell is instant? Nothing is instant. Instant rice takes five minutes, instant pudding an hour. I doubt that an instant of blinding pain feels particularly instantaneous.” **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This passage is important because it reminds you that something’s in life need to be done whether or not you want too, but as soon as you do whatever it is that needs to be done you will feel a great deal of weight lifted off your shoulders.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2) “At some point, you just pull off the Band-Aid, and it hurts, but then it's over and you're relieved.” **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I found this passage quite humours due to the sarcasm.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3) “I just did some calculations and I've been able to determine that you're full of sh*t.” **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I selected this passage because the choices of words are intelligent and have an impact towards the reader’s emotions.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4) "So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane." **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I enjoy this passage because the words have been used in a creative as well as clever way. I think passages like these help to understand characters, and give a lot of meaning. I also believe quotes like these cause the reader to think and look more into the story.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5) “She was like the moon; a part of her was always hidden.” **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Word list: BY DOR0006. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"A purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness.”
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Select words from your book, look up their definition and write them down. **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1) ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Endeavour. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving.”
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2) ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Incredulous. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The act of indulging or gratifying a desire.”
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3) ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Indulgence. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“something that provides access (to get in or get out.)”
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4) ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Entree. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Release from entanglement of difficulty.”
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5) ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Extricate. **

=**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Looking for Alaska, by John Green. **= =**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Book review by DOR0006. **= =**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Genre: **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Young adult novel (fiction.) = ====<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Looking for Alaska is a fictional young adult novel written by John Green. The main character is Miles Halter who his friends often refer to him throughout the book as ‘Pudge.’ Miles originally lives in Florida until he decides to move to Culver Creek to attend the boarding school his father did. However it was not an obligation for Miles to attend boarding school like his father, it was choice. Miles chose to attend Culver Creek due to searching for his ‘Great Perhaps.’ As Miles arrives at Culver Creek he creates friends. They go on adventures and get themselves into a bit of trouble here and there. One of the friends that Miles meets is Alaska. But she is more than just a friend. Alaska is an attractive girl however she is emotionally unstable and quite mysterious. Alaska has a boyfriend, Jake, but that doesn’t stop Miles from falling deeply in love with her. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I will stop there. I encourage you to read the book to find out more! ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">I enjoy the way the way the book has been written. The style and word choices are delicate and really pull the book together. Another thing I would like to credit John Green on is how he has created his characters. I like the characters characteristics, personalities and traits. I felt like the characters began to be my friends, like I knew them personally. I felt like I was experiencing what they were during the story. I think John Green thought this book out well. ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">If you liked this book I recommend reading ‘The fault in our stars’ which is also written by John Green. I say this due to both books having the same author and having a few similarities. These similarities include that they both are based around love and death and although ‘the fault in our stars’ is a movie, ‘Looking for Alaska’ will also be in 2016. ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">If I could select a soundtrack for this book I would probably choose ‘Youth’ by Daughter. It is a quite an unhappy song about heartbreak and someone leaving. I believe this applies to the ‘after’ section of the book. ====

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">I give this rating due to it being an incredible read although I had a higher expectation for the ending.

 * __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Voki: BY DOR0006. __**

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__**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Character profile: BY DOR0006. **__

= = =**Text response essay - BY DOR0006.**=


 * <span style="font-family: Century,serif;">Topic: **<span style="font-family: Century,serif;"> Text response essay – Looking for Alaska – John Green.

__<span style="font-family: Century,serif;">Looking for Alaska __<span style="font-family: Century,serif;"> is a New York Times best seller written by accomplished author, John Green. The main protagonist (and narrator), Miles Halter (referred to as ‘Pudge’ during the novel) is aged towards his late teens and attends high school in his hometown of Florida. He then makes the decision to transfer to a boarding school located in Alabama, //Culver Creek Preparatory High// in search for his ‘Great Perhaps//’.// Miles does this in searching for his ‘Great Perhaps’. As Miles arrives at to Culver Creek it is then when the two other central figures of the narrative are introduced; Alaska Young and Chip Martin (often referred to as ‘The Colonel’.) Alaska is an extremely important protagonist due to the novel revolving around her mystery as well as the bond in which she forms with Miles which includes flirting. Alaska is an intriguing character whom displays an attractive appearance as well as an intelligent and humorous personality. However Alaska is self-destructive and emotionally unstable. Chip on the other hand is a straight forward as well as blunt, who plays the role of Mile’s roommate. Due to Chip and Miles sharing a room they form a strong friendship, which allows Chip to provide Miles with stability during __Looking for Alaska.__ All three protagonists interact with each other in a playful, reckless, rebellious, and adventurous ways whilst dealing with friendship, love and grief. Wherever the setting takes place – whether it is in their dull, muggy rooms that contain no air-conditioning or off campus at their secret ‘smoking hole’ they’re bound to make the most of their time by getting into mischief and creating pranks. Green’s ability to cooperate creative writing with his own past experiences is astonishing.

<span style="font-family: Century,serif;">One of the primary themes that occur repetitively throughout the text as well as friendship, love and grief is Miles’s ‘Great Perhaps.’ Miles enjoys reading biographies in order to find out their last words, he has a fascination with them. Francois Rabelais’s last words were ‘I go to seek a great perhaps’ which is what Miles aims to search for while he is at Culver Creek. The characters growing up, learning and figuring out who they are and finding out what their future may hold are a few of the things that make up this ‘Great Perhaps.’ Several things support this as a theme such as events that the characters are involved in as well as quotes that have been spoken such as this one from Miles’s farther: “No drugs. No drinking. No cigarettes.” Miles agrees with what his father says as a principle of behaviour before attending the boarding school. That is until he builds a friendship with Alaska and Chip who both participate in those actions. In order to fit in and feel more involved in his new friendships, Miles backs down to the word he made with his farther (as well as breaking student code and regulations at Culver Creek.) When teenagers are finding themselves they’re often involved with peer-pressure and experimenting (with drugs, alcohol, sex and rebelling) which is what Miles faces while searching for his ‘Great Perhaps.’

<span style="font-family: Century,serif;">Due to rebelling and Miles trying to find himself, he begins to belong to Alaska and Chip’s group of friends. The bond between Alaska and Miles grows substantially. The reason for the fast growth is because of Alaska’s flirtatious personality (which results in Miles creating false hope since Alaska has a boyfriend, Jake.) As Miles falls in love with Alaska a lot of literary devices take place. “I wanted so badly to lie down with her on the couch, to wrap my arms around her and sleep… But I lacked the courage and she had a boyfriend and I was gawky and she was gorgeous and I was hopelessly boring and she was endlessly fascinating. So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that is people were rain, I was a drizzle and she was a hurricane.” Direct quote from Miles Halter. This is a simile being used to express the emotions that are represented in the writing (which are Miles’s feelings towards Alaska such as love, lust and false hope.) He feels as if he cannot compare, that what he is and what he has to offer is not enough. Miles’s does not believe he will ever stand a chance being involved romantically with Alaska. Green has done and extraordinary job at creating a novel where the audience are able to relate and feel emotion.

<span style="font-family: Century,serif;">A horrifying disaster occurs in the ‘after’ section of the narrative. Alaska’s death occurs. She demands to be let off campus and without thinking; Miles and Chip create a decoy to let that happen. Alaska escapes campus driving, //drunk.// Miles and Chip both know this. Alaska collides with a police car (that had its sirens on) which results in an instant death. Not only are the characters filled with grief and guilt, but also the readers. Green has created a novel that is life like and easy to relate too. He has made the opportunity for the reader to be deeply involved in the text feeling as if they were there, witnessing and experiencing the same events as the protagonist. Green writing such a tragedy with such emotive language and literary devices causes the reader to deal with grief and sorrow. It allows the audience to think about losing someone they cared dearly about, as Miles did Alaska. Alaska’s instant death leaves Miles and Chip with many thoughts circling their head. They know how the death happened, but what were the moments leading up to it? What did Alaska have running through her mind? Did she want to escape the labyrinth? Was it a suicide? Or just genuine accidents caused by drink driving? Miles and Chip are left with the mystery and trying to solve it for some security and peace of mind. However Miles morbidly states, “I know all about last words, but I’ll never know hers.”

__<span style="font-family: Century,serif;">Looking for Alaska __<span style="font-family: Century,serif;">is a text that draws you in emotionally by connecting the reader to the protagonists, events, and themes. Connections that the reader might find whilst reading the narrative are moving to a new location, meeting new friends, falling in love, peer-pressure, experiencing new things (rebelling), trying to keep up your grades and unfortunately, losing a loved one. __Looking for Alaska__ connects to the real world and real people such as teenagers and the issues that they face today. __Looking for Alaska__ is a brilliant novel that will bring you to tears of sadness as well as tears of laughter. Green has done a magnificent job at grasping the reader, intriguing them in and making this read an unforgettable one.

__**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bibliography: BY DOR0006. **__ <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[|http://charahub.com] <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[|http://voki.com] <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[|http://www.vocabulary.com/lists/161384#view=notes]

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Artist by all0014: