The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Author Biography:
John Green is a New York Times bestselling author who has received numerous awards, including both the Printz Medal and a Printz Honor. John is also the co-creator (with his brother, Hank) of the popular video blog Brotherhood 2.0, which has been watched more than 30 million times by Nerdfighter fans all over the globe. John Green lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. Information retrieved from Amazon.com.
Published by: Dutton Juvenile
ISBN: 0525478817
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Grades 7-12
Reader’s Annotation:
Hazel Grace Lancaster doesn’t see the point in living. As a cancer survivor, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she relapses and her condition finally ends her life. Everything changes for the better when she meets Augustus Waters, a fellow survivor who instantly steals her heart. As their relationship develops, Hazel feels life is worth living – until her greatest fears are realized.
Plot Summary:
Depressed about life and loathe to leave her room and spend time with her friends, cancer survivor Hazel Grace Lancaster has all but given-up on her life. Hazel is unable to move around without the assistance of an oxygen tank, which doesn’t help her outlook on life either, nor does her shortened lifespan as a result of her disease and treatment. Regardless, Hazel continues chugging along for her parents’ sake, believing the only worse than being a kid with cancer is having a kid with cancer.
In the meantime Hazel attends a support group for teens with cancer which, unsurprisingly, she absolutely hates. If the teens aren't complaining about whatever is bothering them or talking about how their uneventful days are good days, the leader of the group is talking about how he lost a testicle to cancer. Every. Single. Time.
Hazel’s world suddenly changes for the better when she meets Augustus Waters, another cancer survivor who has started attending the support group. Before long the pair are calling and texting each other, talking about their favorite books, and becoming closer each day. When Augustus learns of Hazel’s favorite author and how she would love to meet him, he asks if she has already used her wish from the Genie foundation. She admits with some embarrassment that she had used her wish years ago on a trip to Disney Land, much to Augustus’s mortification. Luckily he hasn't and decides to use his request of the foundation to visit the author – who just happens to live in France. After some concern from both sides’ parents, they embark on a romantic trip to help Hazel realize her lifelong dream. Upon arrival, however, Hazel learns the reality of the author could never match her dream, and events begin to spiral out of control for the pair following their return.
Critical Evaluation:
The Fault in Our Stars, though dealing with cancer, isn't entirely dependent upon the disease for storytelling. While Hazel is obviously affected by her disease, the story’s focus turns more to her romance with Augustus and her struggles with coming to terms with who her hero is and what she hoped he would be. Fault is also full of John Green’s wit and humor, with Hazel and Augustus constantly exchanging one-liners with each other and waxing philosophic about their situation and those of others.
Parts of the dialog suffer some bumps along the way, as Hazel and Augustus both use vocabulary more likely to be spoken by graduate-level English students than high school students. Though the story explains Hazel, despite being in high school, is taking college level courses it still comes off as a bit strange. Furthermore, many of the events in the book seem to align perfectly for Hazel when she needs it, making some of the twists in the book seem too convenient. For instance, Augustus miraculously having his wish left or Hazel’s author appearing just as she needs him to so she can get a final word across.
Regardless, The Fault in Our Stars is an engaging love story about two star-crossed teens and their trials, triumphs, failures, affections, and tragedies romance enthusiasts will be happy to devour – though it would best to do so with a box of tissues on hand.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talking Ideas:
Ever question what the point of living is? Do you think that it is possible for live to be truly worth living because of a single person?
Why This Book?
The Fault in Our Stars crafts a tragic romance between two star-crossed individuals, making it both sweet and realistic. Fans of tragic romances will want to keep the tissues within reach when reading this novel.
John Green is a New York Times bestselling author who has received numerous awards, including both the Printz Medal and a Printz Honor. John is also the co-creator (with his brother, Hank) of the popular video blog Brotherhood 2.0, which has been watched more than 30 million times by Nerdfighter fans all over the globe. John Green lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. Information retrieved from Amazon.com.
Published by: Dutton Juvenile
ISBN: 0525478817
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Grades 7-12
Reader’s Annotation:
Hazel Grace Lancaster doesn’t see the point in living. As a cancer survivor, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she relapses and her condition finally ends her life. Everything changes for the better when she meets Augustus Waters, a fellow survivor who instantly steals her heart. As their relationship develops, Hazel feels life is worth living – until her greatest fears are realized.
Plot Summary:
Depressed about life and loathe to leave her room and spend time with her friends, cancer survivor Hazel Grace Lancaster has all but given-up on her life. Hazel is unable to move around without the assistance of an oxygen tank, which doesn’t help her outlook on life either, nor does her shortened lifespan as a result of her disease and treatment. Regardless, Hazel continues chugging along for her parents’ sake, believing the only worse than being a kid with cancer is having a kid with cancer.
In the meantime Hazel attends a support group for teens with cancer which, unsurprisingly, she absolutely hates. If the teens aren't complaining about whatever is bothering them or talking about how their uneventful days are good days, the leader of the group is talking about how he lost a testicle to cancer. Every. Single. Time.
Hazel’s world suddenly changes for the better when she meets Augustus Waters, another cancer survivor who has started attending the support group. Before long the pair are calling and texting each other, talking about their favorite books, and becoming closer each day. When Augustus learns of Hazel’s favorite author and how she would love to meet him, he asks if she has already used her wish from the Genie foundation. She admits with some embarrassment that she had used her wish years ago on a trip to Disney Land, much to Augustus’s mortification. Luckily he hasn't and decides to use his request of the foundation to visit the author – who just happens to live in France. After some concern from both sides’ parents, they embark on a romantic trip to help Hazel realize her lifelong dream. Upon arrival, however, Hazel learns the reality of the author could never match her dream, and events begin to spiral out of control for the pair following their return.
Critical Evaluation:
The Fault in Our Stars, though dealing with cancer, isn't entirely dependent upon the disease for storytelling. While Hazel is obviously affected by her disease, the story’s focus turns more to her romance with Augustus and her struggles with coming to terms with who her hero is and what she hoped he would be. Fault is also full of John Green’s wit and humor, with Hazel and Augustus constantly exchanging one-liners with each other and waxing philosophic about their situation and those of others.
Parts of the dialog suffer some bumps along the way, as Hazel and Augustus both use vocabulary more likely to be spoken by graduate-level English students than high school students. Though the story explains Hazel, despite being in high school, is taking college level courses it still comes off as a bit strange. Furthermore, many of the events in the book seem to align perfectly for Hazel when she needs it, making some of the twists in the book seem too convenient. For instance, Augustus miraculously having his wish left or Hazel’s author appearing just as she needs him to so she can get a final word across.
Regardless, The Fault in Our Stars is an engaging love story about two star-crossed teens and their trials, triumphs, failures, affections, and tragedies romance enthusiasts will be happy to devour – though it would best to do so with a box of tissues on hand.
Curriculum Ties:
- Cancer
- Depression
- Coping
Challenge Issues:
- Alcohol usage
- Sexual situations
Defensive Maneuvers:
- Have the library's collection policy on hand and memorized. Even though you may have it committed to memory, being able to show specific provisions as proof with strengthen your position.
- Be familiar with the book. Having great knowledge of it will prove you understand the content and the way the challenged matters interact with each other.
- Cite any awards the book may have. Though the patron may disagree with the book, showing that it is well known and seen as having great literary merit will strengthen your defense.
- Have a few reviews ready from respected sources such as Amazon or VOYA. At the very least, you can prove you understand the material and reviews will corroborate that.
- Have a strong idea WHY that item is in the library. Explain its merits, who the intended audience is, and so on.
- State your library's commitment to providing intellectual freedom as written in the Library Bill of Rights.
- Stay calm. Getting defensive or hot under the collar will only weaken your position.
- And finally, be open to discussion and LISTEN. Even if you do not agree with the patron, their concerns are still legitimate and you should show that you are engaged with them. Listening to their concerns may be enough to take the edge off.
Book Talking Ideas:
Ever question what the point of living is? Do you think that it is possible for live to be truly worth living because of a single person?
Why This Book?
The Fault in Our Stars crafts a tragic romance between two star-crossed individuals, making it both sweet and realistic. Fans of tragic romances will want to keep the tissues within reach when reading this novel.