John Green

Grew up in?

Orlando, Florida and Birmingham, Alabama

Childhood ambition?

For a little while, I wanted to be an earthworm scientist. But from about the age of six on, I wanted to write.

Desert island book?

My favorite books _about_ a desert island is “Lord of the Flies.” The book I’d take to a desert island would be “The Collected Works of Shakespeare,” because it is long (and therefore excellent kindling) and can be read again and again.

Favorite city?

Chicago

Favorite movie?

Rushmore

Where do you write?

In a little office off of our bedroom.

What made you decide to write Looking for Alaska?

I always wanted to write a novel, but I guess I started writing that particular one because I was thinking a lot about loss.

What would you like readers to learn from Miles?

I’m not sure I want anyone to learn anything from reading my books necessarily, but I do hope that Miles’ story gets readers thinking seriously about what our values and priorities should be.

What adjectives would you use to describe Looking for Alaska?

Oh jeez. I’ll leave that to the critics. I like it a lot when people call it “salingeresque” and “funny” and “not too long.”

Favorite food?

Sushi

Favorite song?

“New Partner,” by the Palace Brothers

Favorite item of clothing?

My lucky boxers. i was wearing them when I got engaged, when I got married, and when I won the Printz Award. (And no, I do not wear them every day.)

Greatest achievement?

Getting married, I think. Publishing a book is extremely difficult, but getting married is–at least in my experience–even more difficult.

Most embarrassing moment?

One time I got into thee separate car accidents (all minor) with three separate cars during a 12-hour period, and the same police officer showed up at the scene of all three accidents. I was pretty embarrassed when I saw her for the third time in an day.

Smartest thing you ever did?

The smartest thing I ever did was choosing to go to boarding school.

Life motto?

Either: “amor vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori.” (Love conquers all, and so we shall yield to it.)

Or: “illigitimis non caroborundum” (Don’t let the bastards get you down.)

Or: I go to seek a great perhaps