Book #1 Project

         Introducing the Favorite Items Box that includes Augustus’s favorite video game Counterinsurgence 2: The Price of Dawn, An Imperial Affliction Hazel’s and later Augustus’s favorite novel, a basketball trophy that Gus won, Peter Van Houten’s letters to Hazel and Gus, the last letter Gus ever wrote, and a box of tissues for the sad parts in the book. This is everything you will need to fully enjoy and experience The Fault In our Stars by John Green.

Throughout the whole book Hazel talks about and refers to her favorite book, An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. Hazel practically bases her whole life off of this book and the way Peter describes how we are all just a “side effect” of death. She firmly believes there is no hope, and she will die in the near future, she uses this book as a way to come to terms with her early death, and accept it fully. Augustus’s favorite video game of all time is also included in this wonderful box! Counterinsurgence 2: The Price of Dawn included in this box is the exact same game that Gus plays throughout the book! Hazel even played it! It was one of the first great memories they created with each other, and became a fall back thing to do; it was comfortable and familiar.  Before Gus was diagnosed with cancer he was a basketball star, and won many many trophies. You have the choice of getting one of the trophies that survived Isaac’s (Gus and Hazel’s friend) rage or you can get one of the trophies Isaac smashed himself! But there are only a limited number of smashed trophies so you need to order your box as soon as they go on sale! The emails sent between Hazel, Gus, Van Houten and Van Houten’s assistant have been transferred to paper in real handwriting, so every fan of the book can have copies of these important plot points! The last letter Gus wrote before he passed away is also included. All Gus ever wanted was for Hazel to be happy and content with the life she has. Even though she didn't love him till almost the end of the book he loved her from the beginning saying to her “I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the

business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things.” He even spent his “cancer wish” on her so she could travel to Amsterdam to meet her favorite author Peter Van Houten. They traveled there hoping Peter would tell them what happens at the end of his book, since it suddenly ends, but he ends up being a rude drunk, who is suffering from several mental illness. They leave insulted and with no answers to their questions and disappointed, but Gus loved Hazel so much he sent Peter a death wish stating that Peter come back to the US and give Hazel’s the answers she deserves. Gus is determined to keep his promise to Hazel: she will get the answers she wants by saying “That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway.” Peter accepts Gus’s wish, and does return, to Hazel’s dismay, but she is very pleased and heartbroken when she finally gets a hold of Gus’s last letter. This item is what readers will really buy the package for: Gus’s last words. The box of tissues is there for the tear-jerking moments, whether they be happy or sad.

           The Favorite Items Box is the perfect way to get readers to read not only this book, but get introduced to reading itself. With these physical items readers would be able to come in contact with pieces of the characters, and connect to the book more. These connections and artifacts enhance the whole reading experience. Without this box, the book would not be as interesting to read. Since this is a sad story this box helps brighten up the mood by giving the readers extra visuals, and allowing them to fully appreciate the thoughts/ feelings of Gus and Hazel. The readers will feel as though they are actually down in the basement with Gus and Hazel playing video games, or will feel as though they were shadowing them when Isaac broke a bunch of Gus’s basketball trophies. As Gus says “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book. And then there are books like An Imperial Affliction, which you can't tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like betrayal.” This is the box and book that will help complete, and put back together their story while remaining special enough to want to be kept it a secret.