Looking for Mr. Goodbar (film) in the novel as somewhat of a "Plain Jane". Author Judith Rossner "detested" the film, although she praised Keaton's performance. Rossner added, "I feel like the mother who delivered her 13-year-old daughter to the door of Roman Polanski and didn't know what was going to happen." Robert O. Friedel, MD, has suggested that Theresa's behavior in the film is consistent with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" introduced Richard Gere, LeVar Burton and Tom Berenger, all as men whom Theresa encounters. The film also inspired the music video for the 1993 Madonna song "Bad Girl". In
Looking for Alaska reviewers agree that this is a coming of age story that is appealing to both older and younger readers. There has been much controversy surrounding this novel, however, especially in school settings. Parents and school administrators have questioned the novel's language, sexual content, and depiction of tobacco and alcohol use. "Looking for Alaska" has been featured on the American Library Association's list of Frequently Challenged Books in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016. The novel was awarded the Michael L. Printz award in 2006 and has also won praise from organizations such as the American Library Association, School Library Journal,