Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - OPTIONAL

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green, 286 pages. Dutton Books (Penguin), 2017. $20. 

Language: R (44 swears, 24 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13( a couple of sexual references);Violence: PG. 

BUYING ADVISORY:  MS, HS-OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Sixteen-year old Aza struggles with anxiety and spiraling thoughts ever since her father died.  She spends a lot of time in her head trying to talk herself out of obsessing about diseases and cleanliness.  Her friend, Daisy, helps her at least participate in life. When they find out that billionaire Russell Pickett is missing, Daisy convinces Ava to use her years ago connection to his son Davis to investigate his dad’s disappearance and earn the $100,000 reward money.  Davis’ story of a rich kid with an absent dad, is also heartwrenching.

Just like in other John Green novels, the characters were both real and quirky.  The language was not overpowering and suited the moments, but probably could have been milder without hurting the story.  Many fascinating ideas were discussed in the dialogue, including an explanation of the title.  Aza’s spiraling thoughts and compulsions were clearly written with an insight into how mental illness feels and especially how it isolates.  John Green is an advocate for mental illness awareness and any student or adult who suffers from anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, or OCD will absolutely relate to the character and maybe even feel less alone in the world.  This book would work for many middle school and high school students and though it has romance in it, it is secondary to Aza’s issues and grief.

Stacee S.  Reading Teacher