Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

An ALA Quick Pick

A Los Angeles Times 2005 Book Prize Finalist

A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

A 2005 Booklist Editor’s Choice

A 2005 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (François Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . . After. Nothing is ever the same.

Readers will only hope that this is not the last word from this promising new author. (Publishers Weekly)

John Green attended a boarding school not unlike Alaska’s Culver Creek. After graduating from college in 2000, he worked as a chaplain at a children’s hospital. John’s experiences with patients and their families during intense crises solidified his desire to write for teens about the challenge of confronting loss. John works for Booklist and is also a commentator for National Public Radio’s national afternoon newsmagazine, “All Things Considered,” and Chicago’s NPR affiliate, WBEZ. “Nick,” about John’s experiences as a chaplain, appeared on “Driveway Moments” a “best-of” two-CD set, which NPR released in August 2004. John was recently featured in the Tribune’s RedEye edition and on television as one of Chicago’s “Fabulous 20somethings.” He lives in New York City.

Imprint: Puffin
Distributor: Penguin Group USA, Inc
Publication Date: 12-28-2006
Pages: 256
Measurements: 8.26in X 5.50in X 0.67in X 0.54lb