Looking For Alaska by John Green

Miles, the newest face at an Alabama boarding school, has met the love of his life in the first few minutes.   Alaska Young; she moves at a 100 mph and is just what Miles needs to shake up his monotonous under-the-radar life.  Together with Miles’ roommate, chip, and counter parts Lara and Takumi, the five form a close knit clique, pull pranks, and make life tough for the weekday warriors (the rich students who don’t stay on campus for the weekends).    When a tragic accident takes the life of one group member the friends left behind must make sense of the life and all too sudden death of their compatriot.  This often funny an introspective novel will captivate young adults struggling to find their place in the world (who doesn’t fit that bill?).

Looking For Alaska was one the best reviewed books for young adults in 2005 and went on to win the 2006 printz award.  John Green has written two other books held in equal regard: An Abundance of Katherines, and Paper Towns.

Mother, Come Home by Paul Hornschemeier

Mother, Come Home is unlike any other graphic novel you’ve read. No superheros, no tights, and serious as suicide, which is what the book is about. Meet Thomas. His Mother died. Taking it the hardest, however, is his Father. His Father has been figuratively and literally floating through life.

After Father is institutionalized, Thomas goes to live with his Uncle. As the story progresses, I think, readers will be overcome by growth and realization of Thomas. By the end you are so invested in the child that his actions are almost your actions, and you will feel…terrible if nothing else. Not a feel good book, but very well done. Paul Hornschemeier is graphic novelist out of Chicago. This is his first work, he has since published two more. He is a weird cat, but I like that.

This is Paul.