The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
ISBN: 0-525-47881-7
Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Dutton Books.
Plot Summary
Hazel is probably depressed, has few friends, and a somewhat negative view of the future. This is all rather understandable as Hazel has an incurable form of cancer and must use an oxygen tank at all times. An experimental drug has stopped tumor growths, leaving Hazel and her parents living in a sort of limbo. She cannot be cured, but if the drugs continue to work, Hazel will continue to live. Hazel’s mother takes her to a Cancer Support Group where she meets Isaac and Augustus. Augustus, a cancer survivor himself, is immediately interested in Hazel, but she is more hesitant, afraid to get involved with someone when she could die at any time. The two share their favorite books, Augustus ends up loving An Imperial Affliction as much as Hazel, and agrees to take her to meet Peter Van Houten, the author, in Amsterdam. Though Amsterdam is not what they expected, Hazel and Augustus make the best of their trip, admit they love each other, and agree to spend as much time together as they can. They will stay together until death parts them.
Critical Evaluation
Green takes a difficult subject, children with cancer, and has managed to create a heart-warming book about love and life. There are plenty of depressing moments, and death plays a heavy role, but as Hazel learns, the love was worth it in the end.
Hazel, Augustus, and Isaac are smart, sarcastic, and great friends. Their language and humor, however, seem rather advanced for their age. When dealing with difficult situations, chemotherapy, cancer, and death, the three are sarcastic, ironic, humorous, and irreverent at times. More than once the impression of 'gallows humor' being used was present. The discussions Hazel, Augustus, and Isaac have are at times mildly esoteric and deal with stars, nature, blindness, and life after. It is difficult to imagine actual teenagers speaking similarly. However, these three all have cancer, and have already faced extreme difficulties in life. The friendships between the three are also extremely positive. These are friendships that have dealt with chemotherapy and death, petty arguments are not important. Their frankness and 'get over it' attitudes reveal that life is not worth complaining about, but is precious enough to get up and do something about it. Augustus and Hazel also have a healthy romantic relationship. All three struggles with cancer are presented realistically, without being maudlin. Of course, a book about cancer will predictably have at least one of the characters die. Though it is not entirely unexpected, there is the hope everything will turn out alright in the end. Make sure to have Kleenex nearby for the last few chapters, they will be needed.
Reader’s Annotation
Hazel is a sixteen-teen-year old girl who takes college classes, loves to read, and has a new boyfriend. She has only one problem, her incurable cancer.
About the Author
John Green was born in 1977 and raised mostly in Orlando, Florida. While writing, Green has lived in Indiana, New York, and Illinois. He is married and has one child. Green attended Kenyon College and double majored in English and Religious Studies. After college, he worked at Booklist, a magazine reviewing hundreds of books every two weeks. During this time, Green realized that normal people wrote books, and considered writing one himself. He credits his editor, Ilene Cooper, as one of the individuals who encouraged him most to begin writing, and see where it led. Green says that his ideas come from realistic situations and people.
John Green has written five books all for young adults. He won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award and 2009 Edgar Award, and has been a finalist twice for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. In 2007, Green and his brother Hank decided to communicate online through YouTube. The two of them still upload videoblogs twice a week and are followed by millions of fans. Green also uses Twitter frequently.
Genre
Contemporary Realistic Fiction/Social Issues/Romance
Curriculum Ties
Literature and favorite books
Science and Cancer
Booktalking
If you were given a Wish, what would you use it on?
Isaac has been seemingly cured of cancer, but is blind. What kind of a trade-off is this?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 7th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include several instances of profanity and brief sexual content.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I read TFiOS for class and absolutely adored the novel! I loved the main characters, their interactions with one another, and the way the author dealt with all their issues.
Others in the Series
N/A
References
Green, J., & Lastufka, A. (2012). John green biography faq. Retrieved from http://johngreenbooks.com/bio-contact/
ISBN: 0-525-47881-7
Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Dutton Books.
Plot Summary
Hazel is probably depressed, has few friends, and a somewhat negative view of the future. This is all rather understandable as Hazel has an incurable form of cancer and must use an oxygen tank at all times. An experimental drug has stopped tumor growths, leaving Hazel and her parents living in a sort of limbo. She cannot be cured, but if the drugs continue to work, Hazel will continue to live. Hazel’s mother takes her to a Cancer Support Group where she meets Isaac and Augustus. Augustus, a cancer survivor himself, is immediately interested in Hazel, but she is more hesitant, afraid to get involved with someone when she could die at any time. The two share their favorite books, Augustus ends up loving An Imperial Affliction as much as Hazel, and agrees to take her to meet Peter Van Houten, the author, in Amsterdam. Though Amsterdam is not what they expected, Hazel and Augustus make the best of their trip, admit they love each other, and agree to spend as much time together as they can. They will stay together until death parts them.
Critical Evaluation
Green takes a difficult subject, children with cancer, and has managed to create a heart-warming book about love and life. There are plenty of depressing moments, and death plays a heavy role, but as Hazel learns, the love was worth it in the end.
Hazel, Augustus, and Isaac are smart, sarcastic, and great friends. Their language and humor, however, seem rather advanced for their age. When dealing with difficult situations, chemotherapy, cancer, and death, the three are sarcastic, ironic, humorous, and irreverent at times. More than once the impression of 'gallows humor' being used was present. The discussions Hazel, Augustus, and Isaac have are at times mildly esoteric and deal with stars, nature, blindness, and life after. It is difficult to imagine actual teenagers speaking similarly. However, these three all have cancer, and have already faced extreme difficulties in life. The friendships between the three are also extremely positive. These are friendships that have dealt with chemotherapy and death, petty arguments are not important. Their frankness and 'get over it' attitudes reveal that life is not worth complaining about, but is precious enough to get up and do something about it. Augustus and Hazel also have a healthy romantic relationship. All three struggles with cancer are presented realistically, without being maudlin. Of course, a book about cancer will predictably have at least one of the characters die. Though it is not entirely unexpected, there is the hope everything will turn out alright in the end. Make sure to have Kleenex nearby for the last few chapters, they will be needed.
Reader’s Annotation
Hazel is a sixteen-teen-year old girl who takes college classes, loves to read, and has a new boyfriend. She has only one problem, her incurable cancer.
About the Author
John Green was born in 1977 and raised mostly in Orlando, Florida. While writing, Green has lived in Indiana, New York, and Illinois. He is married and has one child. Green attended Kenyon College and double majored in English and Religious Studies. After college, he worked at Booklist, a magazine reviewing hundreds of books every two weeks. During this time, Green realized that normal people wrote books, and considered writing one himself. He credits his editor, Ilene Cooper, as one of the individuals who encouraged him most to begin writing, and see where it led. Green says that his ideas come from realistic situations and people.
John Green has written five books all for young adults. He won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award and 2009 Edgar Award, and has been a finalist twice for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. In 2007, Green and his brother Hank decided to communicate online through YouTube. The two of them still upload videoblogs twice a week and are followed by millions of fans. Green also uses Twitter frequently.
Genre
Contemporary Realistic Fiction/Social Issues/Romance
Curriculum Ties
Literature and favorite books
Science and Cancer
Booktalking
If you were given a Wish, what would you use it on?
Isaac has been seemingly cured of cancer, but is blind. What kind of a trade-off is this?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 7th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include several instances of profanity and brief sexual content.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I read TFiOS for class and absolutely adored the novel! I loved the main characters, their interactions with one another, and the way the author dealt with all their issues.
Others in the Series
N/A
References
Green, J., & Lastufka, A. (2012). John green biography faq. Retrieved from http://johngreenbooks.com/bio-contact/
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