rgz

readergirlz is a literacy and social media project for teens, awarded the National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize. The rgz blog serves as a depot for news and YA reviews from industry professionals and teens. As volunteers return full force to their own YA writing, the organization continues to hold one initiative a year to impact teen literacy. All are welcome to "like" us on Facebook!

Monday, June 7, 2010

June: PAPER TOWNS: Who's your accomplice?












John asks, "Why do you think Margo picks Q as her accomplice on her campaign of revenge in Paper Towns? Whom would you choose if you went on such a mission?"


17 comments:

Lorie Ann Grover said...

I'd say for their history, his total dependability, and the fact she could manipulate him. He also had what she needed. That's sad. But really, when she enlisted him, she was viewing his paper version.

My daughters are awesome accomplices. My hubbie, of course. And my divas have some pretty sweet skills.

Martha Brockenbrough said...

Lorie Ann, good points. I think there are a lot of Margos out there--girls who hang on to boys that adore them, even if they don't intend to return the love, just because it's intoxicating to have that power over someone.

I can't wait till my kids are really old enough to be accomplices. I did once dress the three of us in bunny suits so we could hand out candy on Valentine's day (love bunnies!). But otherwise, no real shenanigans yet.

elfarmy17 said...

I think Margo wanted to tie it back to their childhood together, since she was leaving.
My accomplice...um.

Lauren said...

I think because she could trust him. He knew her before her popularity and such; they have a shared history (esp. regarding their "find"). He's reliable, definitely, and she probably knew he'd do it anyway.

As for my accomplice, instinctively i'd say my boyfriend because...of course. But really I'd probably pick my friend Katie. When we went to Italy together, we wound up in Paris for a weekend. It's that randomness and quest for adventure that i'd want.

Shelf Elf said...

My accomplice would be my best friend. She's the opposite of me in many respects, which I think you might want in an accomplice - someone who will push you in a direction you would be scared to go if you were alone. She's someone who has the same values, but she's gutsier than I am. I think gutsy is a quality you need in an accomplice, for sure.

Dia Calhoun said...

I can imagine going on a campaign of revenge against someone who once did me great harm. But I only imagine it. I couldn't, however, imagine asking someone to help me hurt others. And if I did, I hope my friends would dissuade me.

Erin said...

If it could be anyone in the world, my accomplice would be either my best friend in North Carolina or my bestie in Idaho. But if I had to pick someone here in Phoenix, probably one of my theater guy pals, because they're amazing. =)

Little Willow said...

I agree with Lorie Ann: They have a history, and she feels as if she can trust and/or direct him.

Little Willow said...

I neglected to answer the second question! Who is my accomplice? No one now, but when I was younger, my cat, Twinkie. :)

Wheat said...

It was probably was combination of trust, history, power and personal thrill. In the end Margo did tell Q about how she once envisioned him as superhot hero boy, so maybe she was trying to find that part of him again

I would go with my friend Jasmine as we already are two devious schemers, bent on making our own fun. :)

Unknown said...

I have nothing to add to everyone's conversation about why Margo chose Quentin; you guys have articulated that a lot better than I've ever managed to. (And then in talking about how poorly I articulate it, I go and end a sentence with a preposition.)

As for my accomplice: My friend Chris is an excellent accomplice, although I think I'm more the Robin to his Batman in our friendship. My favorite accomplice is my wife, though. That's why we married each other, I think.

Lorie Ann Grover said...

It's perfect to marry your accomplice!

I tend to like to be the Robin, rather than the Batman, myself.

Holly Schindler said...

I love the mix of words that are used here: "manipulate" AND "trust" to describe Margo's relationship with Q! It's almost like Margo can be more herself with Q because she doesn't care what he thinks. She can let it fly--and trust him more--because she's not trying to impress him...

As for my accomplice, I'm completely with LW...animals all the way. I'd take my dog Jake! (Come on...animals never rat you out!)

Shelby Ostergaard said...

I think I would take my own version of Q. We have a family friend that's my age and I would take him. I've known him my whole life but at the same time we aren't friends. We aren't close and he doesn't really know me well enough that he would ask me why I was going on this crazy revenge scheme. Any of my best friends would want to know what was wrong and would want to talk about it. At the same time, he knows me well enough that he would still come with me, the same way Q does.
However, I'm pretty sure this kid isn't in love with me in the slightest so I guess that changes things a little.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.