Turtles all the Way Down by John Green
ISBN :978-0525555360
Bibliography: Green, J. (2018). TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN. Penguin Books.
Plot Summary:
John Green, the acclaimed author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, returns with a story of shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.Aza Holmes never intended to pursue the disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Pickett’s son Davis.Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
Critical Analysis:
John Green tells the story of Aza, a teenager who has a severe case of anxiety, OCD, and more personal triggers. Green describes Aza’s obsession with bacteria and how it makes her feel compulsive thoughts and act with compulsive behavior as a result of it. She has an obsession with C. diff , and believes that there is bacteria everywhere. Aza has a fixation on her finger that she created to feel pain and is a habit of her personal triggers. This obsession makes up a big part of the story, since the author keeps addressing it as it gets in the way of her social life. The author does a great job bringing in a story with so much drama, romance, and mystery.
This story is written in first-person, which is the perspective of Aza Holmes. Green’s characters were strategically put together to ensure interesting and engaging interactions between them. Their similarities and differences made for a captivating reading experience. The characters were friends, some were rich, some were poor, and of course only one had an anxiety problem, but they all had to deal with it. Aza and her friends are figuring out a disappearing case of a classmate's father, and the investigation leads to some unexpected finds. The way the author describes how Aza hides the fact that she does not take her medication on a regular basis and how she must see a Dr. because of these conditions really puts into perspective the struggles many adults and teenagers face when living with a mental illness. Students will be able to relate to this story and make those personal connections. Green captures many emotions, and hopefully this story brings into life the struggle many teenagers are facing and lets them know there is hope at the end of the tunnel.
Review Excerpt(s):
“A richly rewarding read…the most mature of Green’s work to date and deserving of all the accolades that are sure to come its way.” —Booklist
“In an age where troubling events happen almost weekly, this deeply empathetic novel about learning to live with demons and love one’s imperfect self is timely and important.” —Publishers Weekly
“A deeply resonant and powerful novel that will inform and enlighten readers even as it breaks their hearts. A must-buy.” —School Library Journal
Connection:
*While reading the novel, students can analyze the 6 parts of the plot and find scenes/events that fit into each of the parts.
*Students can consider diverse representation with guided reflection on what they see in their world and the experiences they notice in the text. This may include reflecting on concepts such as privilege, power, and/or bias that might be in the text.
Other similar books:
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by: John Green ISBN: 978-0142424179
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