Central to the story is the search for meaning. Their pilgrimage to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten, the reclusive author of Hazel’s favourite book, serves as a metaphor for the search for answers that life rarely provides. The disappointing encounter highlights a harsh truth: life doesn’t always offer closure or a grand purpose. Instead, the characters—and the audience—must find peace in the small, "infinite" moments shared with others.
Visually and tonally, the film balances the clinical atmosphere of hospitals with the vibrant, fleeting experiences of youth. It shifts from the lighthearted banter of a first date to the devastating physical decline of a loved one without losing its emotional core. The "Okay? Okay." refrain becomes a powerful symbol of their pact—a simple word transformed into a profound expression of commitment. Central to the story is the search for meaning
Ultimately, The Fault in Our Stars is not just a story about dying, but a testament to living meaningfully. It argues that a short life is not a lesser life and that the pain of loss is a necessary price for the privilege of having loved. Through Hazel and Augustus, the film reminds us that while we cannot choose our circumstances, we can choose how we love through them. While the narrative is rooted in the tragedy
The film excels in its refusal to sentimentalise the reality of being a "cancer kid." Hazel, played with grounded sincerity by Shailene Woodley, initially views herself as a "grenade" waiting to explode and hurt those she loves. Her cynical but pragmatic outlook is challenged by the charismatic Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), who fears oblivion more than death itself. Their romance is built on intellectual connection and shared vulnerability, moving beyond the tropes of typical young adult dramas.
With your LA County Library card, you can download or stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, music, and movies on your computer, tablet, or phone. It's free and you'll never have to worry about overdue fines!
You'll need a library card in good standing and a PIN to access most downloadable & streaming content.
Have you walked into a library and wished you could check out more books than you could possibly carry? Check out a Kindle Paperwhite at participating libraries with a collection of titles that you are sure to enjoy. Each Kindle has been loaded with expert-selected books.
You don’t need internet access - all the books are pre-loaded onto the Kindle so you are ready to read.
Three week checkout
Renew up to 3 times, as long as no one else is waiting
Must be 18 or older (or under 18 with parent permission)
eBooks cannot be added to this device by user
How do I get one?
Visit a participating library to check out or place a hold on a Kindle Paperwhite. Kindles are not sent to other libraries for pick up.
Note: Selection of genres varies per library. Click on a library below to see the list of genres.
Library Locations with eReaders
Click on the library to view list of genres available.
Many of our libraries offer enhanced resources, computers, and online services to support your homework needs. Check with your local library!
A Family Place Library is a center for early childhood information, parent education, emergent literacy, socialization, and family support. Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parent involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in young children's growth and development. Each Family Place Library features the following core elements:
A bright, colorful, and welcoming space for young children and their parents.
A collection of books, toys, videos, music, and other materials for babies, toddlers, parents, and service providers
Access to resources that emphasize emergent literacy, reading readiness, and parent education.
Developmentally appropriate programming, such as baby and toddler storytimes for younger children and their parents.
Outreach to new and underserved populations.
The Parent-Child Workshop is a five-week workshop featuring local professionals, such as nutritionists, speech and language therapists, and child development experts, who serve as resources for parents.
The first three years of a child's life lay the foundation for learning. Get the tools and resources you need to give your child the best possible start.
Great! Thank you for sharing your photos with Catalina PhotoShare, a community history project of LA County Library.
Your photos will be reviewed and if they meet the criteria, they will be added to the Catalina PhotoShare online collection.
If you have any questions, please contact: digitalprojects@library.lacounty.gov
Central to the story is the search for meaning. Their pilgrimage to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten, the reclusive author of Hazel’s favourite book, serves as a metaphor for the search for answers that life rarely provides. The disappointing encounter highlights a harsh truth: life doesn’t always offer closure or a grand purpose. Instead, the characters—and the audience—must find peace in the small, "infinite" moments shared with others.
John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars (2014) is a poignant exploration of the fragility of life and the enduring power of love. Directed by Josh Boone, the film captures the journey of Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, two teenagers whose lives are inextricably linked by their battles with cancer. While the narrative is rooted in the tragedy of terminal illness, its true focus is on the human desire to leave a mark on the world and the beauty of finding "forever" within a numbered amount of days.
Visually and tonally, the film balances the clinical atmosphere of hospitals with the vibrant, fleeting experiences of youth. It shifts from the lighthearted banter of a first date to the devastating physical decline of a loved one without losing its emotional core. The "Okay? Okay." refrain becomes a powerful symbol of their pact—a simple word transformed into a profound expression of commitment.
Ultimately, The Fault in Our Stars is not just a story about dying, but a testament to living meaningfully. It argues that a short life is not a lesser life and that the pain of loss is a necessary price for the privilege of having loved. Through Hazel and Augustus, the film reminds us that while we cannot choose our circumstances, we can choose how we love through them.
The film excels in its refusal to sentimentalise the reality of being a "cancer kid." Hazel, played with grounded sincerity by Shailene Woodley, initially views herself as a "grenade" waiting to explode and hurt those she loves. Her cynical but pragmatic outlook is challenged by the charismatic Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), who fears oblivion more than death itself. Their romance is built on intellectual connection and shared vulnerability, moving beyond the tropes of typical young adult dramas.
Consumer Health Information Program
The Consumer Health Information Program assists the public with medical research by providing information from reliable sources. Customers are invited to use the Norwalk Library collection which consists of books, magazines, videos, and online databases related to health topics. We also provide individualized research services.
Please be aware, we do not provide medical advice, nor are the materials we provide a substitute for a professional medical opinion.
What Can We Do for You?
We can provide you with information on topics such as:
Medical conditions or diseases
Prescription medications
Surgical procedures
General physician and hospital information
Book and website recommendations for further reading
The Californiana Collection is in closed stacks at the Norwalk Library located at 12350 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk, CA 90650.
About the Collection
The Californiana Collection consists of over 24,000 books and over 200 magazine and newspaper titles in paper and on microfilm as well as a collection of state documents including state and county budgets. The goal of this collection is to present a complete picture of the history, culture, environment and artistic expression of the people of California and to some extent, the western United States.
Collection Highlights
California Census Schedules from 1850 to 1910
Copies of The Alta California newspaper 1849-1891, as well as dozens of other 19th century newspapers from Gold Rush boomtowns, the Owens Valley and San Francisco
Official city and county histories from the 19th and 20th centuries
Materials on the Donner Party, California water projects, famous California crimes, Hollywood culture, biographies of Californians, pioneer narratives of the early days of California, and histories of the state written over the course of 150 years
