"Looking For Alaska" by John Green is a well-written, award-winning, beautiful, tragic, introspective, and overall incredible book. It speaks directly to teenagers about critical, yet somehow taboo subjects, going where other books dare not to go. And no, I am not talking about Sex. I am talking about the book's raw discussion of teenagers dealing with death, the grief that results from it, and the entire concept of suffering and forgiveness of that suffering in their lives.
That being said, the book is constantly criticized for the the language used and the few short scenes involving sexual encounters. Since when have schools not taught books because of "inappropriate language"? Are books like "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Catcher in the Rye" not riddled with this same language? Additionally, anyone who actually READS the book would understand that these certain excerpts are awkward, frank, and not in any way erotic. They are in fact used to contrast greatly scenes with intense, genuine emotional connections.
The Knox County School board simply dropped the book thanks to one outraged parent who read "inappropriate passages", seemingly out of context. I believe that students should still be allowed to read the book for class. Its powerful messages and excellent writing provide a unique learning opportunity for readers to become better writers by studying his example, and to gain insight into their own lives and beliefs. Fans of Green everywhere are outraged and saddened to know anyone is being deprived of his fantastic work of literature.
- B