Miles Halter hates his life in Florida. No friends, no hobbies, other than his mental collection of Last words. Knowing there has to be something more out there, he applies to Culver Creek Boarding School in Alabama.

Upon arrival he realizes that his lofty ideals for the place will not in fact be met, but once befriended by his roommate, The Colonel, and after meeting the girl down the hall, Alaska, he starts to realize there's potential after all.

Getting off to a rocky start, having a near miss with drowning thanks to an over-zealous prank, Miles, now "Pudge," has a lot of reservations. The concussion he receives from a Basketball thrown at his head, and the subsequent being sick on his girlfriend-to-be do little to ease his worries. But there are classes he likes, the bufriedos are great, and his small crew of friends make things worthwhile.

Just when he's starting to feel at home with his new world, a shattering blow brings it to pieces around him. Therein follows much avoidance, soul-seeking, unending questions, anger, pain, detective work, and eventually....enlightenment.

_______

Not long after reading this book I stumbled across a post by a woman who had hated it. I was shocked, and rather irate at the time. At this point I can just sit back and say she clearly didn't understand the story. Or couldn't relate. But there's a world of people out there who can and did. Four different staff members in my library have read and re-read this book and count it among their favorites.

I personally think Green's writing style is great, and loved how he could wrap so much philosophy into a teen novel in such a way that you almost don't notice. His characters are smart, self-aware, and likeable. I think the Printz Medal was well-deserved.