Sunday, September 21, 2008

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Green, J. (2006). An Abundance of Katherines. (p. 272). Puffin.

ISBN : 0142412023


Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: fiction, friends, identity, love story


Reader's Annotation: Child prodigy Colin attempts to write a mathematical formula to explain why he has been dumped by 13 girls named Katherine.


Summary: Always a prodigy, never a genius. This seems to be a problem for Colin Singleton, an anagram loving child prodigy who wants to leave a mark on the world to prove he's attained genius status. Aside from an ability to learn quickly, the most remarkable thing about Colin is that he's dated and been dumped by thirteen girls named Katherine. After his last breakup, his friend Hassan convinces him to take a roadtrip. They leave Chicago and end up in Gutshot, Tennessee, where they stop to visit the grave of the Archduke Ferdinand. Colin decides his work of genius will be a mathematical formula to predict the outcome of any romantic relationship, given specific information about the people involved.


Reviews / Awards:

Teenreads Review
An Abundance of Katherines and John Green's first book, Looking for Alaska, both were Printz Honor books.


Author Info:
John Green's website

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, sex


Readalikes:

  • The Beautiful Miscellaneous by Dominic Smith
  • Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This book is great for anyone who's ever felt like they were on the outside of things, and covers three characters who are all trying to figure out how to achieve to their full potential. Or even if they want to achieve to their full potential. It's funny and approachable, and readers should be warned not to be put off by the math.

Other:

Fans of John Green should also check out his "Brotherhood 2.0" website, a collaboration with his brother, Hank, and the Nerdfighters website.


Evaluation:

5 stars

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