The Fault in Our Stars

• Genre: Fiction; young adult contemporary
• Originally Published: 2012
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 850L; grades 7-12
• Structure/Length: 25 chapters and author’s note; approximately 352 pages; approximately 7 hours, 13 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl living with cancer, and Augustus Waters, a fellow cancer survivor, meet at a support group. Their budding relationship and shared experiences form the core of the narrative. The central conflict revolves around their battles with illness, their quest for meaning in their lives, and their love for each other. The story explores love, mortality, and the human condition.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Chronic illness, mortality, and loss; emotional depth; sexual content; profanity; alcoholism

John Green, Author

• Bio: Born 1977; American author known for his young adult novels, many of which have become bestsellers; celebrated for his relatable and authentic portrayals of teenagers facing complex issues; co-creator of the popular YouTube channel “Vlogbrothers” and a prominent figure in online educational content
• Other Works: Looking for Alaska (2005); An Abundance of Katherines (2006); Paper Towns (2008); Turtles All the Way Down (2017)
• Awards: Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth (2012); TIME magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Sentimental Cancer Narratives
• The Heroic Observer

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: