Memphis Reads – Paper Towns by John Green


Staff Book Reviews

Each month library staff members learn about different book genres during “What’s Your Flavor,” a series of Reader’s Advisory classes. After each session participants must select a book from that genre to read and profile.

The book below was selected by a staff member who attended the Young Adult fiction session.

Teen/Young Adult Fiction Genre Spotlight

PAPER TOWNS by John Green (Dutton Books, 2008)

Paper Towns by Green is a very quick read. What is interesting is that every line is important to the continuation of the story.

There are quick retorts and funny comments as the story is told from the perspective of a high school senior boy called Q. This mysterious adventure is driven by a sense of hope to find out who Margo Roth Spiegelman is for real. And since she has disappeared so quickly, yet leaves so many clues for Q to find her, is Margo still alive? Where is she and how can he and his friends find her? Why did she leave the clues for him specifically? Does she want him to find her?

Anna, Library staff