Fiction author Robin Brande talks about writing, reading, and other vital matters

I am a big prude. I write for teens, but I’m deathly afraid of using the f- word. I don’t write about sex. My teens don’t smoke. They don’t drink or do drugs (unless they are the bad guys). I hate teen novels that glorify any of those things. I think part of our job as young adult novelists is to lead and inspire the next generation, rather than point the way toward further degradation.

With all that in mind, I LOVED Looking for Alaska. It was funny, honest, real, true-to-life, emotional, inspirational, informative (especially in its depiction of the waste that is suicide, and the incredible destruction that follows such a rash and selfish decision). The plot is so absorbing—so entertaining and suspenseful–it keeps teens from noticing that their minds are secretly being enriched by the great literary aspects of the novel.

Even though I could never write some of the scenes John Green does (again, because of my big prudishness), I would have no hesitation giving this novel to my teenage niece or any of the other young people in my life. Looking for Alaska provides a strong and essential argument against teen suicide—that permanent solution to a temporary problem–and might be just the voice a child needs to hear at a critical time in his or her life.

I support the teachers, administrators, and parents of Depew High School who want to include Looking for Alaska in their curriculum this year. Bravo to you!