Paper Towns

ALAN Review, Fall 2008 by Koss, Melanie

Paper Towns by John Green Dutton, 2008, 320 pp., $17.99 Friendship/Relationships/Self-Discovery ISBN: 978-0-525-47818-8

Quentin Jacobsen believes everyone gets one miracle in life, and his is living next door to Margo Roth Spiegelman. Margo is the epitome of Quentin's dreams, and he will do anything for her. When she appears in his room in the middle of the night, dressed all in black, and asks him to go on a top secret mission with her, Quentin ignores his better judgment and goes. What follows is a night full of escapades, revenge, dead smelly fish, and the creation of a bind between the two friends. When Margo mysteriously disappears and leaves enigmatic clues for Quentin, he feels he must drop everything and find her.

In his best book date, John Green provides original, quirky dialogue and enough twists, turns, and mystery to keep the reader turning the page. Once again John captures the essence of a geeky high-school boy who is pining for the out-of-reach girl, and fully develops the supporting cast of characters - Quentin's friends and the elusive Margo Roth Spiegelman.

Melanie Koss

Chicago, IL