Looking for Alaska

Miles, Alaska, the Colonel, and Takumi plan and pull off several pranks. The pranks build on themes in the novel, including Guilt and Forgiveness and Friendship and Loyalty. How do these pranks go beyond the act of getting attention or revenge? How do the pranks create meaning for the friends? Consider these points as you reflect on the text to answer the question.

• What different pranks do you remember in the novel?
• What led to or caused each?
• What was the purpose of each prank?
• How did the friends work together to accomplish it?
• Where do the characters reflect on their pranks?
• What are any additional effects of the pranks?

Teaching Suggestion: Rereading key scenes involving the pranks like the hair dye, Barn Night, and Speaker Day could guide students to use specific details in the discussion. Also, pointing out differences between the scene where the Weekday Warriors throw Miles in the lake and other pranks that do not involve physical danger might provide an interesting compare and contrast opportunity.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who have executive function or organizational challenges, it could be helpful to give them a graphic organizer with three columns (for example). The first column could list the prank, the second what led to it and its purpose, the third what it accomplished and any additional effects.