Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan is the story of young love and a high school play of epic proportions.

Will Grayson has been friends with Tiny Cooper since they were very young. Now, in high school, they are still friends but have different interests. Tiny plays football and is a founding member of his school's gay-straight alliance. Will's is interested in not being noticed, but with Tiny as a friend it is not always possible. For example, Tiny has written a musical about his life and there is a character in it called Gil Wrayson.

Across Chicago, in another suburb, is another Will Grayson. He is also in high school. The highlight his day is when she is online chatting with Isaac. They have been chatting for almost a year. And they are finally going to meet. Will is going to make his way into Chicago and finally meet the guy who has been filling his thoughts.

After getting a fake ID to attend a concert, Will joins Tiny and a new friend Jane, in Chicago. But after not being allowed in due to a math problem, Will goes across the street to the only store that is open - and inside meets the other Will who is looking for Isaac.

Green and Levithan have joined together to write the story of two Wills. The story has many twists and turns as the Wills meet and Tiny works on his play - coming together at the end to create a story about love and appreciating those great people in life.

Green, John and David Levithan. (2010). Will Grayson, Will Grayson. New York: Dutton.

Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska by John Green.

I am not sure what to say about this book. It has a great message, but I felt I had to suffer through most of the book to get that message. If it hadn't been assigned for class I don't think I would have finished it. Of course, different readers will see other things in the story.

Miles, a geek who has never really had any friends, begins attending a private school where he finds friends. His roommate, Colonel, and their neighbor, Alaska, are the other main characters. All of the kids who live at the school are not rich, but the feel that comes across is spoiled, maladjusted teens who have too much time on their hand (for drinking and smoking) and not enough supervision.

The book is divided into to parts - before and after. Before is spent with Miles learning to fit into his new surrounding. After is Miles and Colonel trying to figure out why the dividing line - the event that causes the before and after - occurred. An answer they will never find to their satisfaction.

I guess I just think that the book didn't need so many vices for all of the kids. Though I certainly did not grow up without breaking rules, my childhood was not so desperate in everyday action - even when it was in thought.

Well, it did win the Printz Award, so maybe it is worth reading and deciding for yourself.

Green, John. (2005). Looking for Alaska. New York: Dutton Books.