Green, John. Paper Towns. Dutton Books, 305 pages. $17.99 ISBN: 9780525478188
Plot Summary:
Quentin, “Q,” has lived next door to Margo Roth Speigelman his entire life. Though they were childhood friends, they grew apart in high school, until the night in early May when Margo shows up at Q’s window to plead with him to be her getaway driver for the evening. With little information about what exactly they will be doing Q agrees and Margo leads him on an unforgettable and unpredictable adventure.
The next day Margo does not turn up for school. Q does not think anything of it until a detective shows up at his house asking if he knows anything about where Margo has gone. Margo has run away before, but she always leaves vague clues about where she is going for her parents, only this time she has left the clues for Q. The closer Q comes to finding Margo the more convinced he becomes that he never really knew the real Margo at all.
Critical Review:
Papertowns is a complex mystery and moving coming of age tale. Q’s fascination with Margo changes as he follows her clues. The deeper Q digs the more of a mystery Margo becomes. Q learns little about Margo, but a lot about himself, including self confidence and courage. Q’s story is one about the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Genre:
Mystery
Realistic Fiction
Interest/Reading Level:
Grade 9 and up
Similar Books:
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
Subjects/Themes:
Missing Persons
Coming of Age
High School
Awards/Honors:
Booklist Best Books for Young Adults 2009
Capitol Choices 2009
Children’s Choice Book Award 2009 Finalist
2009 Edgar Award for best young adult mystery
Kirkus Best Books for Young Adults 2008
School Library Journal Best Books 2008
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2009
YALSA Teen’s Top Ten 2009
Author’s Website:
Annotation:
After leading him on an unforgettable night of adventure Q’s neighbor Margo disappears, but she leaves obscure clues for Q to find in her absence.
Book Talking Ideas:
Q has been in love with his neighbor and childhood friend Margo from afar for years. Margo disappears after an unforgettable midnight adventure, in which Q is Margo’s getaway driver, Margo runs away from home. Before disappearing Margo leaves clues that hint toward her location for Q to find. As Q follows Margot’s clue he discovers the real mystery is not where Margo is, but Margo herself.
Why I Chose this Book:
I ran across this book while browsing Good Reads. It had received good reviews from other users and the plot sounded intriguing.
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