Sunday, May 8, 2011

Book Review #2

Title: Paper Towns

Author: John Green

Classification: Mystery

Characters:
Quentin Jacobsen- Neighbor of Margo, social outcast and nerd, loves Margo.
Margo Roth Spiegelman- Neighbor of “Q”, mysterious, runaway, popular girl.
Radar- Computer geek, “know-it-all”, “Q’s” friend.
Ben Starling- Friend of “Q” and Radar, obsessed with fitting in and acting cool.
Lacey Pemberton- One of Margo’s close friends who becomes Ben’s girlfriend.

Summary:
            Quentin Jacobsen and Margo Roth Spiegelman have been neighbors since they were 2 years old, and were best friends until the day they found a man, Robert Joyner, dead in the park. Then the two grew apart as “Q” became the school nerd and Margo became the popular girl in school. Until one night, Margo shows up at Q’s bedroom window dressed all in black, and asks him to help her with an eleven-part plan she has drawn up to issue payback to the “friends” who betrayed her. Q and Margo go on a journey involving fish, spray paint, naked pictures, and sea world. Q and Margo seem to have reconnected, until the next morning it is discovered that Margo has run off, possibly to kill herself. Now Q must follow the clues that Margo left him, discover the significance of the “Paper Towns”, and rush to save the life of the girl he loves.

Review:
            Paper Towns is book number three for John Green. This book immediately captures your attention with the discovery of a man who has committed suicide. Even more shocking than this discovery is Margo Roth Spiegelman’s reaction to the suicide. Rather than being frightened or confused, she wants to investigate what exactly caused all the “strings” in him to break. Furthermore, why was Margo so intent on Q accompanying her on her journey of revenge? More importantly, why did Margo disappear the day after her adventure, when she had seemed so happy the night before? Margo is an intriguing character in that no one seems to really know or understand who she is or how she thinks. Her actions are always unexpected, but appear to have been planned for months. Was she really depressed? Did she leave to commit suicide? Had all the “strings” broken inside of her, like they had in Robert Joyner? This book will never give you a clue as to what will come next, every page has a new discovery, a new surprise. The bond between the characters and the high school setting will allow teens and young adults to appreciate and enjoy this mystery.

9 comments:

  1. I REALLY ENJOYED READING YOUR BOOK REVIEWS CAROLYN!

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  2. Are these books you have already read, or are you reading these books before you do the review on them?

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  3. This is a really good book review.

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  4. I am NOT a huge reader and I hate to read. After reading this review, it seriously makes me want to read the book. Your review was really good and I think I might actually read the book.

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  5. i really do not like to read, but this book surprisingly looks interesting. mysteries are the best, like you said because you never do know. This post also helps the book because you add to the mystery in your review.

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  6. This makes me want to read these books! Keep up the good work. How many books will you be reviewing?

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  7. Eli- I am reading the books, then when I am finished I write the reviews. These were my first times reading "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Paper Towns".

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  8. Skyler- By May 26th I will have read and reviewed 3 books.

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  9. I really like how you review books and make me want to read them. Nice Job :)

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