Reading Response- John Green

I recently began reading a book called The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, which is about a young girl named Hazel who suffers from thyroid with met cancer in her lungs. She also has to use an oxygen tank which helps her breathe. The focus of the book is on the youth group that Hazel attends and how her point of view changes from negative to positive because of one boy named Augustus.

           

In the book I noticed that Hazel attitudes change about the youth group. At the beginning of the book it states, “The support group, of course, was depressing as hell”pg.4. This shows how Hazel feels about the group, but the part that interested me most that the purpose of Hazel attending the group so that she would be around friends and not be depressed. Hazel and her mom did not see eye to eye, because hazel’s mom thought that she was depressed because she did not go outside, and spent a lot of time in bed. Hazel on the other hand thought that her mom was exaggerating, because in Hazel’s word everything is aside effect dying including depression and cancer. I agree with hazel because her mom shouldn't just judge her on what she does, maybe Hazel enjoys being by herself, doesn't mean she is depressed.

I also noticed that Hazel’s feelings towards the support group changed when she meets a friend.  For example in the book Hazel’s mom said, “I told you Support group would be worth your while’ (pg.39)” .This shows that Hazel’s feelings has changed, because she would argue with her mom and try to prove that it is pointless, but instead she replied; “ ‘ Did you just wait outside the entire time?’ (pg.39).” This other quote shows that Hazel tries to change the subject, whereas before on page 7 Hazel tried to pursue her mom into thinking that the support group is not a good way for her to make friends.
            These observations are important to me because it shows how a person could change Hazel’s perspective from looking at the support group in a negative way to a positive way.