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Alaska
Quando Parker scopre che Alaska è diventato l’animale da terapia di quel bullo orribile di Sven, non può sopportarlo. Così una notte, di nascosto, decide di riprendersi il suo amato cane. Il piano, però, subisce una svolta imprevista e i due ragazzi finiscono per la prima volta faccia a faccia, senza protezioni. Ora sono costretti a parlarsi e a conoscersi veramente. E le certezze che avevano fino a quel momento, cominciano a sgretolarsi.
Dopo il successo di Tess e la settimana più folle della mia vita, Anna Woltz torna a raccontare gli scossoni emotivi e le difficoltà dell’adolescenza. Un romanzo toccante sulla ricerca del proprio posto nel mondo e sulla strada da fare per sentirsi amati e riconosciuti.
Dopo il successo di Tess e la settimana più folle della mia vita, Anna Woltz torna a raccontare gli scossoni emotivi e le difficoltà dell’adolescenza. Un romanzo toccante sulla ricerca del proprio posto nel mondo e sulla strada da fare per sentirsi amati e riconosciuti.
148 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2016
43 people are currently reading
838 people want to read
About the author
Anna Woltz
43 books117 followersAnna Woltz (b. London, 29 December 1981) is a Dutch writer. She has written twenty-eight books for young readers. Some of her books are adventurous stories for ten-year-olds, others are challenging young adult novels. Her books have been translated into twenty-seven languages (English, German, French, Swedish, Italian, Slovenian, Czech, Slovak, Serbian, Albanian, Croatian, Turkish, Arabic, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Norwegian, Danish, Russian, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Taiwanese) and have won many prizes.
Woltz’s books are loved by both children and adults. Children enjoy the exciting, funny and sometimes crazy adventures and the lovable characters. Adults have praised Woltz for her beautiful language, psychological depth and fresh, humorous narrative voice.
Themes that are particularly close to Woltz’s heart are family relationships, growing up and the question all people have to face sooner or later: how am I going to do this – this amazing and complicated thing called life? Quite a few of her books are about young characters who discover their parents are no different from all other human beings: sometimes they make mistakes and sometimes they have no clue what to do. Part of growing up is about accepting this. (Source: https://annawoltz.nl/english/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealanna...
Woltz’s books are loved by both children and adults. Children enjoy the exciting, funny and sometimes crazy adventures and the lovable characters. Adults have praised Woltz for her beautiful language, psychological depth and fresh, humorous narrative voice.
Themes that are particularly close to Woltz’s heart are family relationships, growing up and the question all people have to face sooner or later: how am I going to do this – this amazing and complicated thing called life? Quite a few of her books are about young characters who discover their parents are no different from all other human beings: sometimes they make mistakes and sometimes they have no clue what to do. Part of growing up is about accepting this. (Source: https://annawoltz.nl/english/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealanna...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
December 11, 2025
“She’s not just a dog whisperer, you see. She’s secretly a human whisperer too. She can see right through you.”
Pick for the Middle Grade March prompt for “Neurodiverse Character” and this one is so fine!
Am so happy now. Every Middle Grade March prompt pick is awesome so far!
This is the story of Parker whose dog Alaska had to given away. When she realises Alaska’s new home, she decides to steal the dog. But things turn out quite different than she hoped for. Sven has epilepsy and Alaska could predict the episodes beforehand. Things have to change and everyone has to do something to help.
Mortal enemies to best friends. The story of a guide dog who changes school rules and well… the lives around.
The book is really short but it’s written so well. Worth it. I would totally recommend this book.
Pick for the Middle Grade March prompt for “Neurodiverse Character” and this one is so fine!
Am so happy now. Every Middle Grade March prompt pick is awesome so far!
This is the story of Parker whose dog Alaska had to given away. When she realises Alaska’s new home, she decides to steal the dog. But things turn out quite different than she hoped for. Sven has epilepsy and Alaska could predict the episodes beforehand. Things have to change and everyone has to do something to help.
Mortal enemies to best friends. The story of a guide dog who changes school rules and well… the lives around.
The book is really short but it’s written so well. Worth it. I would totally recommend this book.
March 16, 2020
Since I'm now teaching 5th and 6th Grade, I decided to write articles with the students in my classroom about the books we read in class.
Today we finished Alaska by Anna Woltz, which is a Dutch book.
We highly enjoyed this read, I actually asked the students to score the book and the majority gave it 5 stars.
A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
This was a highly enjoyable book to read with the students in my classroom. It contained topics that are good to discuss with children in 5th/6th grade. The book had some nice cliffhangers, which made it easy for me to make the kids enthusiastic for the next reading lessons.
Today we finished Alaska by Anna Woltz, which is a Dutch book.
We highly enjoyed this read, I actually asked the students to score the book and the majority gave it 5 stars.
A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
This was a highly enjoyable book to read with the students in my classroom. It contained topics that are good to discuss with children in 5th/6th grade. The book had some nice cliffhangers, which made it easy for me to make the kids enthusiastic for the next reading lessons.
July 23, 2022
Це неймовірна книжка! Дарма я думала, що це якась підліткова історія дружби. Все набагато глибше! Рекомендую!!!!!!
May 21, 2020
Thank you to Rock The Boat for sending me an ARC for review!
All opinions are my own and by no way influenced by the publisher.
Talking To Alaska is a short yet heart-warming book about friendship (including the furry kind) and invisible disability.
The story follows Parker, a young girl that's had a difficult summer where she had to give her dog away due to her brother having allergies to pet hair. Sven developed epilepsy a year ago and is nervous about starting his first day at school, he doesn't want to be defined by his epilepsy and needs to do something crazy cool in front of the whole class so he's not seen as the weird kid that has seizures.
Parker and Sven find themselves in the same class and immediately do not get along due to Sven's teasing towards her when she embarrasses herself in front of everybody during a 'two lies and one truth' class exercise.
After a terrible first day at a new school Parker's spirits are about to rise massively after she spots a white-haired fluffy dog that looks identical to Alaska. She realises it is her dog that she has spent the last 4 months missing but when Sven walks straight up and tugs on her lead her heart drops.
Parker only has one thought - she needs to steal Alaska back and will anything to do so.
I found this to be an adorable story that packs a powerful punch in regards to the awareness to invisible disabilities. I started off not liking Sven's character because of his outward attitude towards other classmates and Alaska but as the book went on I came to understand is outlook in the way the author shows the reaction people have to his seizures. He sees Alaska as being a huge 'look at me I am disabled' when she becomes a working dog in her high-vis coat instead of seeing him for himself.
I found the character development was immense and my opinions on both characters changed dramatically throughout the chapters as they alternate between Sven and Parker's point of view.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this lovely book made all the cuter by the cutie Alaska!
All opinions are my own and by no way influenced by the publisher.
Talking To Alaska is a short yet heart-warming book about friendship (including the furry kind) and invisible disability.
The story follows Parker, a young girl that's had a difficult summer where she had to give her dog away due to her brother having allergies to pet hair. Sven developed epilepsy a year ago and is nervous about starting his first day at school, he doesn't want to be defined by his epilepsy and needs to do something crazy cool in front of the whole class so he's not seen as the weird kid that has seizures.
Parker and Sven find themselves in the same class and immediately do not get along due to Sven's teasing towards her when she embarrasses herself in front of everybody during a 'two lies and one truth' class exercise.
After a terrible first day at a new school Parker's spirits are about to rise massively after she spots a white-haired fluffy dog that looks identical to Alaska. She realises it is her dog that she has spent the last 4 months missing but when Sven walks straight up and tugs on her lead her heart drops.
Parker only has one thought - she needs to steal Alaska back and will anything to do so.
I found this to be an adorable story that packs a powerful punch in regards to the awareness to invisible disabilities. I started off not liking Sven's character because of his outward attitude towards other classmates and Alaska but as the book went on I came to understand is outlook in the way the author shows the reaction people have to his seizures. He sees Alaska as being a huge 'look at me I am disabled' when she becomes a working dog in her high-vis coat instead of seeing him for himself.
I found the character development was immense and my opinions on both characters changed dramatically throughout the chapters as they alternate between Sven and Parker's point of view.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this lovely book made all the cuter by the cutie Alaska!
June 1, 2020
Knap YA boek! Ondanks het weinige aantal pagina's weet Anna Woltz een mooi verhaal neer te schrijven met boeiende personages.
July 17, 2018
Mooi boek over hulp nodig hebben, hulp aanvaarden en hulp geven. Nu mijn zonen overtuigen om het te lezen, ook al is het niet cool meer als je mama leestips geeft blijkbaar. Tips hoe dit best aan te pakken steeds welkom :-)
February 5, 2017
Goed geschreven boek van Woltz waarin verschillende onderwerpen op een mooie manier bij elkaar worden gebracht. Ook zie ik leuke woordspelingen terug in het boek, zoals 'ik zit op epilepsie'. Origineel dat een hulphond centraal staat in een boek, maar zo goed beschreven. Applaus voor Anna Woltz (en ook voor hulphonden, omdat ook zij fantastisch werk verrichten!)
September 16, 2021
Mooi verhaal, in 1 ruk uitgelezen
October 30, 2021
Gentle but sharp exploration of family and friendship.
The dog wins, of course. As it should.
The dog wins, of course. As it should.
October 29, 2019
Wat een mooi verhaal over vriendschap, anders zijn, epilepsie, aanvaarden van angsten. Heel sterke personages! Ver weg van clichés. Heel mooi!
May 10, 2025
Lief verhaal
March 9, 2020
Zooo leuk ❤
January 29, 2021
Prachtig boek. Mooi bijzonder verhaal over Sven, Parker en Alaska en de verhalen komen heel slim samen. Ook de zinnen als ‘Als er een sport was die epilepsie heette, dan zou ik nooit op epilepsie gaan’ en ‘Ik kan Jingle Bells blaffen’, zijn bijzonder. Echt een aanrader!
September 15, 2018
WARUM WOLLTE ICH ES LESEN? Anna Woltz ist bekannt für tolle und tiefgründige Kinderbücher. Das allein hätte aber noch nicht gereicht, um mich zum Lesen zu bewegen. Grund dafür war Alaska. Wer könnte einem Hund schon wiederstehen?
HAT ES MEINE ERWARTUNGEN ERFÜLLT? Ja und sowas von. Ein tolles Buch!
WAS HAT MIR GUT GEFALLEN? Für immer Alaska ist ein schönes und kurzweiliges Kinderbuch, das man allein aufgrund seines Unterhaltungswertes schon sehr gerne liest. Was ich außerdem sehr mochte war die Tatsache, dass sowohl die Protagonistin Parker als auch der Protagonist Sven ihre ganz eigenen Probleme mit sich herumtragen, die sie während des Buches bewältigen und an denen sie wachsen. Auch Alaska als tierische Protagonistin war wahnsinnig süß und tatsächlich der Star des ganzen Geschehens,
WAS HAT MICH GESTÖRT? Nichts abgesehen von der Länge. Es sollte mehr Kinderbücher nehmen, die wichtige Themen (Krankheit, Epilepsie, Angststörungen) auf einer so wundervollen Ebene und so schön zu lesen vermitteln und gleichzeitig den Lerneffekt so unbemerkt in den Fokus stellen. Hier hätte ich noch ewig weiterlesen können.
FAZIT. Für immer Alaska ist – nicht nur für Kinder – ein tolles, lehrreiches und fesselndes Buch, das man so schnell nicht aus der Hand legen will. Während ich mich fragte, ob ich die unerschütterliche Parker oder den zurückhaltenden Sven lieber mochte, fiel mir immer wieder auf, dass der wahre Star des Buches ganz klar die Hündin Alaska war. Es braucht mehr solcher Bücher! | ★★★★★
HAT ES MEINE ERWARTUNGEN ERFÜLLT? Ja und sowas von. Ein tolles Buch!
WAS HAT MIR GUT GEFALLEN? Für immer Alaska ist ein schönes und kurzweiliges Kinderbuch, das man allein aufgrund seines Unterhaltungswertes schon sehr gerne liest. Was ich außerdem sehr mochte war die Tatsache, dass sowohl die Protagonistin Parker als auch der Protagonist Sven ihre ganz eigenen Probleme mit sich herumtragen, die sie während des Buches bewältigen und an denen sie wachsen. Auch Alaska als tierische Protagonistin war wahnsinnig süß und tatsächlich der Star des ganzen Geschehens,
WAS HAT MICH GESTÖRT? Nichts abgesehen von der Länge. Es sollte mehr Kinderbücher nehmen, die wichtige Themen (Krankheit, Epilepsie, Angststörungen) auf einer so wundervollen Ebene und so schön zu lesen vermitteln und gleichzeitig den Lerneffekt so unbemerkt in den Fokus stellen. Hier hätte ich noch ewig weiterlesen können.
FAZIT. Für immer Alaska ist – nicht nur für Kinder – ein tolles, lehrreiches und fesselndes Buch, das man so schnell nicht aus der Hand legen will. Während ich mich fragte, ob ich die unerschütterliche Parker oder den zurückhaltenden Sven lieber mochte, fiel mir immer wieder auf, dass der wahre Star des Buches ganz klar die Hündin Alaska war. Es braucht mehr solcher Bücher! | ★★★★★
February 6, 2017
Ik hou dus helemaal niet van honden. En als het boek niet door Anna Woltz geschreven was, zou ik het nooit zijn gaan lezen. Maar ja, het wel van Anna en het is weer net zo mooi en ontroerend en grappig als 'Gips' en 'Honderd uur nacht'. Anna is gewoon de Nederlandse John Green.
January 21, 2020
Wat een fantastisch kinderboek! Ik heb dit boek voorgelezen aan Rens (11 jaar). We hebben er allebei van genoten. We werden gegrepen door het verhaal en vooral Rens hoopt op een tweede deel. Dit was een spannend, grappig en soms ontroerend verhaal.
March 13, 2020
Много плакала, хочу обнять дома пса
April 12, 2022
dit kinderboek is misschien wel mijn fave van het jaar tot nu toe?? 😭 zo wholesome
August 11, 2022
Как прекрасно! Я опять начала просить собаку у мужа, в прошлый раз, когда я просила собаку у нас появилась Таисия.
November 26, 2023
Incredible book with important messages to the readers 💛
January 30, 2019
Da mein Herz mir im Gegensatz zum in meinem Pass stehenden Geburtsdatum immer wieder zu verstehen gibt, dass ich sehr wohl zur Zielgruppe solcher Bücher gehöre, konnte ich nicht anders und ich wollte diese Geschichte unbedingt lesen. Ich war gespannt zu erfahren, warum Alaska , die davor Parkers Hund war, Svens Assistenzhund wurde. Die verzweifelte Parker hat dann nur noch einen Wunsch: Alaska von diesem schrecklichen Mitschüler zurück zu holen. Mutig machte sie sich daran, ihren ausgeheckten Plan in die Tat umzusetzen.
Meiner Ansicht nach ist Anne Woltz hier ein wunderbares Buch gelungen, dass viele verschiedene, auch aktuelle Themen (z.B. Mobbing) aufgreift und miteinander verknüpft, ohne dass der Plot jemals zu überladen wirkt. Ihre klare, jugendliche Sprache und Ausdrucksweise entspricht dem Alter der Protagonisten, so dass man Parker und auch Sven, die jeweils abwechselnd die Geschichte aus ihrer eigenen Perspektive erzählen, lebendig vor sich sieht. Die Beschreibungen sind so lebensnah, dass ich als Leser förmlich mittendrin bin und am liebsten selber die Hand ausstrecken würde, um Alaska zu streicheln. Die Autorin erzählt unaufdringlich und dennoch sehr intensiv was Toleranz und Akzeptanz bewirken können. Es ist eine Geschichte, die mich berührt hat und die schlussendlich viel zu schnell zu Ende war.
Fazit: Eine wunderschöne Geschichte mit sehr intensiven Momenten und Protagonisten, die man gern haben muss, auch wenn sie ihre Ecken und Kanten haben – eben wie im richtigen Leben. Es war mein erstes Buch von Anna Woltz; aber bestimmt nicht mein letztes. Und ich vergebe sehr gerne die volle Punktzahl.
Meiner Ansicht nach ist Anne Woltz hier ein wunderbares Buch gelungen, dass viele verschiedene, auch aktuelle Themen (z.B. Mobbing) aufgreift und miteinander verknüpft, ohne dass der Plot jemals zu überladen wirkt. Ihre klare, jugendliche Sprache und Ausdrucksweise entspricht dem Alter der Protagonisten, so dass man Parker und auch Sven, die jeweils abwechselnd die Geschichte aus ihrer eigenen Perspektive erzählen, lebendig vor sich sieht. Die Beschreibungen sind so lebensnah, dass ich als Leser förmlich mittendrin bin und am liebsten selber die Hand ausstrecken würde, um Alaska zu streicheln. Die Autorin erzählt unaufdringlich und dennoch sehr intensiv was Toleranz und Akzeptanz bewirken können. Es ist eine Geschichte, die mich berührt hat und die schlussendlich viel zu schnell zu Ende war.
Fazit: Eine wunderschöne Geschichte mit sehr intensiven Momenten und Protagonisten, die man gern haben muss, auch wenn sie ihre Ecken und Kanten haben – eben wie im richtigen Leben. Es war mein erstes Buch von Anna Woltz; aber bestimmt nicht mein letztes. Und ich vergebe sehr gerne die volle Punktzahl.
April 4, 2023
Een onweerstaanbaar goed jeugdboek. Anna Woltz weet als geen ander door te dringen in een puberhoofd en maakt het door beurtelings in de twee hoofden van haar personages Parker en Sven te kruipen ook afwisselend én spannend.
July 25, 2018
YAboek dat je als volwassene perfect kan lezen zonder een seconde stil te staan dat het voor young adult geschreven is. Knap!!
November 17, 2022
3.5 stars
February 9, 2025
Jeugdboek, probeer meer jeugdboeken te lezen om de kids leestips te geven. Was een mooi boek over een jongen met epilepsie!
May 19, 2021
6/5🌟
Before I start: I promise I’ll make an aesthetic reel for this. It deserves one for sure.
If there’s one book everyone needs to read, it’s this one. So crazy fucking good and wholesome and sad and intense and lighthearted and beautiful and amazing. There’s not one thing I didn’t like in this.
Parker, Sven and Alaska have my heart <3 they wat their relationship is built, and what they feel for each other, I’m so sure, wherever they are in life and whatever they go through, they’ll always be each other’s.
I loved how the author dealt with invisible disabilities and PTSD and trauma and friendships and bullying and families - it was so real and amazingly mind-blowingly well done.
WHY IS THIS BOOK SO LESS TALKED ABOUT?
Song I associate with it: Turnaround (The Little Prince)
There’s a whole world I could say for this book, but I can’t so here’s some quotes because they’re too fucking adorably EVERYTHING:
“You know, maybe you just happen to be a massive idiot. Or a coward. And in that case, you’re better off being someone else.”
“Criminals do not respect parental guidelines.”
“And now, on Day One, they already know more about me than I do.”
“And they’re here. They protect me. At least that’s what they tell me.”
“Just when I’m so scared that I want to scream, I realise that I’m there.”
“He used to be a human being. And now he’s just empty packaging.”
“Imagine walking around on Mars for the rest of your life. And having to explain how you work to every Martian you meet: how you breathe. That’s my life. But I don’t have to go to Mars for it.”
“I don’t want to save the world. The world can’t be saved.”
“The hairy beast must be thinking: Seizures? Robberies? What can I do? I’ll lie here. I’ll give them a bit of a lick.”
“How do people do it? How do they just go on with their lives when they know everything could go wrong at any moment?”
“I can see the ordinary human boy who’s stuck on Mars for the rest of his life. The boy who had to explain every day how he breathes.”
“Every thirty seconds, I think: I want to leave. But I stay.”
“In this world, you’d better make sure you have a fun in your hand.”
“And I look up. Without street lights, you can see the universe.”
“A seizure. It’s a bit like being dead. But the advantage of being dead is that you don’t wake up again after a while, covered in drool and with a concussion.”
“Look around you, Barker. Everyone is scared. Everyone knows the world is a scary place. So why are you allowed to be more scared than everyone else? Why are you allowed to whinge about it constantly while the rest of us have to get on with living?”
“Just be glad, that you can be scared of a man with a gun. I have to be scared of myself.”
“But when the beast is lying next to me, I know everything’s OK.”
“You think you’re the only one but that’s not true. Everyone is walking around on Mars. You said yourself that everyone is scared. Well, it’s the same with being different. We’re all different. I have to spend all day explaining how I breathe too. And still no one gets it.”
“Everything that I was is gone.”
“Every stupid, lame seizure I have, they come racing up with their sirens wailing, but when Parker sees the man who shot her dad, it’s not an emergency.”
“I thought I was never going to see Sven and Alaska again. And now they’re walking beside me, as if we belong together.”
“I’m me, remember? I can’t help attracting attention. It’s what I do.”
“There’s something weird going on with those two.
I don’t have to explain anything to them.
They know my planet.
They’re u s e d t o m...”
“But don’t forget that Benjamin can take off his colander. You can stop barking. I live on Mars - remember?”
“When you make an online call, they sometimes ask how many stars you’d give the connection.
Well, Alaska?
Seriously?
More stars than there are in the universe.”
“If Balaclava Girl were a dog, I’d give her ten steaks.”
“Look at that, I whisper. They know us. The whole school knows us.
Sven grins. So what next? Are we young to save the world?
We’ve got french first, I say. But who knows? Maybe after that.”
<3
Before I start: I promise I’ll make an aesthetic reel for this. It deserves one for sure.
If there’s one book everyone needs to read, it’s this one. So crazy fucking good and wholesome and sad and intense and lighthearted and beautiful and amazing. There’s not one thing I didn’t like in this.
Parker, Sven and Alaska have my heart <3 they wat their relationship is built, and what they feel for each other, I’m so sure, wherever they are in life and whatever they go through, they’ll always be each other’s.
I loved how the author dealt with invisible disabilities and PTSD and trauma and friendships and bullying and families - it was so real and amazingly mind-blowingly well done.
WHY IS THIS BOOK SO LESS TALKED ABOUT?
Song I associate with it: Turnaround (The Little Prince)
There’s a whole world I could say for this book, but I can’t so here’s some quotes because they’re too fucking adorably EVERYTHING:
“You know, maybe you just happen to be a massive idiot. Or a coward. And in that case, you’re better off being someone else.”
“Criminals do not respect parental guidelines.”
“And now, on Day One, they already know more about me than I do.”
“And they’re here. They protect me. At least that’s what they tell me.”
“Just when I’m so scared that I want to scream, I realise that I’m there.”
“He used to be a human being. And now he’s just empty packaging.”
“Imagine walking around on Mars for the rest of your life. And having to explain how you work to every Martian you meet: how you breathe. That’s my life. But I don’t have to go to Mars for it.”
“I don’t want to save the world. The world can’t be saved.”
“The hairy beast must be thinking: Seizures? Robberies? What can I do? I’ll lie here. I’ll give them a bit of a lick.”
“How do people do it? How do they just go on with their lives when they know everything could go wrong at any moment?”
“I can see the ordinary human boy who’s stuck on Mars for the rest of his life. The boy who had to explain every day how he breathes.”
“Every thirty seconds, I think: I want to leave. But I stay.”
“In this world, you’d better make sure you have a fun in your hand.”
“And I look up. Without street lights, you can see the universe.”
“A seizure. It’s a bit like being dead. But the advantage of being dead is that you don’t wake up again after a while, covered in drool and with a concussion.”
“Look around you, Barker. Everyone is scared. Everyone knows the world is a scary place. So why are you allowed to be more scared than everyone else? Why are you allowed to whinge about it constantly while the rest of us have to get on with living?”
“Just be glad, that you can be scared of a man with a gun. I have to be scared of myself.”
“But when the beast is lying next to me, I know everything’s OK.”
“You think you’re the only one but that’s not true. Everyone is walking around on Mars. You said yourself that everyone is scared. Well, it’s the same with being different. We’re all different. I have to spend all day explaining how I breathe too. And still no one gets it.”
“Everything that I was is gone.”
“Every stupid, lame seizure I have, they come racing up with their sirens wailing, but when Parker sees the man who shot her dad, it’s not an emergency.”
“I thought I was never going to see Sven and Alaska again. And now they’re walking beside me, as if we belong together.”
“I’m me, remember? I can’t help attracting attention. It’s what I do.”
“There’s something weird going on with those two.
I don’t have to explain anything to them.
They know my planet.
They’re u s e d t o m...”
“But don’t forget that Benjamin can take off his colander. You can stop barking. I live on Mars - remember?”
“When you make an online call, they sometimes ask how many stars you’d give the connection.
Well, Alaska?
Seriously?
More stars than there are in the universe.”
“If Balaclava Girl were a dog, I’d give her ten steaks.”
“Look at that, I whisper. They know us. The whole school knows us.
Sven grins. So what next? Are we young to save the world?
We’ve got french first, I say. But who knows? Maybe after that.”
<3
November 23, 2020
This was a really sweet book for me. I wish more children's books were translated to reach a wider audience. I found this incredibly interesting that this novel was translated from Dutch.
I found this book to either be on the older side of middle grade or a very young YA. If you have readers from 11-13, this seems like a great book to fill the gap in the market for tween readers. Especially if you work in bookselling and regularly have to give recommendations to children/young adults.
While the writing and some of the issues the main characters talk about seemed quite juvenile to me, I have to remember that I'm many years out of school and this novel isn't targeted towards me specifically. However, what I am specifically impressed with is the more serious and real-life subject matter that this author discusses.
Invisible illness and anxiety is a topic that's very close to my heart and to see it represented in not only fiction but children's fiction was incredibly important to me. Whatever invisible illness may be afflicting a person, to read from a character going through this builds empathy and understanding with the reader. The author didn't talk down to children or write as if they wouldn't understand what the characters were going through.
Our characters definitely have a growth arc from the start of the book to where they end up. Both helped along by the love they have for Alaska. Firmly reinstating that animals are better than people and that we don't deserve them.
I'm sure it must be so heart-breaking to raise and have a puppy as part of your family to then have to watch them go to another family as an assistance dog. The bitter sweetness of missing a best friend while also being incredibly proud that they are helping someone in such an amazing way.
I really appreciated the representation of an assistance dog in both the hard and joyful ways. Normalising the presence of assistance animals as well, which is such a key part of awareness. Sven has a hard time accepting that he needs an assistance dog like Alaska, he struggles to come to terms with the reality of his illness and is, at first, quite resentful to Alaska. This portrayal was so realistic to me as it's so common to deal with these feelings upon receiving a diagnosis that changes your whole life.
Meanwhile, Parker, our other protagonist is dealing with the aftermath of an armed robbery that she witnessed. You can clearly tell that she is dealing with symptoms of PTSD and extreme anxiety, however, it doesn't feel as if the author just threw this aspect in to make it "edgy". You're not beaten over the head with constant reminders and told that this is PTSD. We're definitely shown and not told, which was an aspect of the writing that I really liked.
There definitely also seems to be themes of identity in this novel. Sven doesn't just want to be seen as the sick kid or the kid in the "epilepsy club" as he says. In the same vein, Parker is tired of being seen as the weird kid, and being bullied over something so unimportant. Yet she can't change people's image of her.
There's a very slow friendship build within this novel. Helped along mostly by the bond they both have for Alaska. Showing again the powerful love that animals bring into our lives.
Overall I will definitely go on to recommend this book to not just young readers. I think older readers would enjoy elements of this just as much
I found this book to either be on the older side of middle grade or a very young YA. If you have readers from 11-13, this seems like a great book to fill the gap in the market for tween readers. Especially if you work in bookselling and regularly have to give recommendations to children/young adults.
While the writing and some of the issues the main characters talk about seemed quite juvenile to me, I have to remember that I'm many years out of school and this novel isn't targeted towards me specifically. However, what I am specifically impressed with is the more serious and real-life subject matter that this author discusses.
Invisible illness and anxiety is a topic that's very close to my heart and to see it represented in not only fiction but children's fiction was incredibly important to me. Whatever invisible illness may be afflicting a person, to read from a character going through this builds empathy and understanding with the reader. The author didn't talk down to children or write as if they wouldn't understand what the characters were going through.
Our characters definitely have a growth arc from the start of the book to where they end up. Both helped along by the love they have for Alaska. Firmly reinstating that animals are better than people and that we don't deserve them.
I'm sure it must be so heart-breaking to raise and have a puppy as part of your family to then have to watch them go to another family as an assistance dog. The bitter sweetness of missing a best friend while also being incredibly proud that they are helping someone in such an amazing way.
I really appreciated the representation of an assistance dog in both the hard and joyful ways. Normalising the presence of assistance animals as well, which is such a key part of awareness. Sven has a hard time accepting that he needs an assistance dog like Alaska, he struggles to come to terms with the reality of his illness and is, at first, quite resentful to Alaska. This portrayal was so realistic to me as it's so common to deal with these feelings upon receiving a diagnosis that changes your whole life.
Meanwhile, Parker, our other protagonist is dealing with the aftermath of an armed robbery that she witnessed. You can clearly tell that she is dealing with symptoms of PTSD and extreme anxiety, however, it doesn't feel as if the author just threw this aspect in to make it "edgy". You're not beaten over the head with constant reminders and told that this is PTSD. We're definitely shown and not told, which was an aspect of the writing that I really liked.
There definitely also seems to be themes of identity in this novel. Sven doesn't just want to be seen as the sick kid or the kid in the "epilepsy club" as he says. In the same vein, Parker is tired of being seen as the weird kid, and being bullied over something so unimportant. Yet she can't change people's image of her.
There's a very slow friendship build within this novel. Helped along mostly by the bond they both have for Alaska. Showing again the powerful love that animals bring into our lives.
Overall I will definitely go on to recommend this book to not just young readers. I think older readers would enjoy elements of this just as much
January 17, 2017
Wauw! Wat een prachtig boek waarin zoveel verschillende onderwerpen op een geweldige manier met elkaar in verbinding worden gebracht. Sowieso de spanningen van starten op de middelbare school en dan daarbij nog epilepsie hebben of iets verschrikkelijks te hebben meegemaakt in de zomervakantie. Anna Woltz begint een van mijn favoriete schrijfsters te worden.
December 12, 2022
Це душевна та чуттєва книга, яка грає на всіх струночках душі. Вона про відданість, про співпереживання, про підтримку собаки. Вона про хворобу, яка може зіпсувати все життя, якщо поряд з тобою не буде чотирилапого помічника та справжніх друзів. Вона про те, що як би важко не було в цьому житті завжди є те, що буде тримати вас на плаву, головне це побачити.
Історія про 2 дітей: Паркер й Свена, та одну собаку Аляску, яка спочатку жила в сім’ї Паркер, а потім опинилася у Свена. У хлопця була епілепсія, йому потрібна була службова собака, яка завжди буде поряд. По іронії долі Паркер та Свен стають однокласн��ками. Паркер після довгої розлуки знову бачить Аляску і в неї назріває геніальний план з визволення своєї улюбленої собаки, але щось пішло не так.
Також ця книга про хворобу, яка може зіпсувати все життя, яка не дає нормально ходити до школи, гуляти, навіть спати, бо приступ може статися в будь-який момент. А однокласники можуть не зрозуміти серйозності цієї проблеми й глузувати через це.
Є тільки 2 шляхи — злитися на долю та проклинати все, або намагатися жити та збирати щасливі моменти в скарбничку спогадів.
Історія про 2 дітей: Паркер й Свена, та одну собаку Аляску, яка спочатку жила в сім’ї Паркер, а потім опинилася у Свена. У хлопця була епілепсія, йому потрібна була службова собака, яка завжди буде поряд. По іронії долі Паркер та Свен стають однокласн��ками. Паркер після довгої розлуки знову бачить Аляску і в неї назріває геніальний план з визволення своєї улюбленої собаки, але щось пішло не так.
Також ця книга про хворобу, яка може зіпсувати все життя, яка не дає нормально ходити до школи, гуляти, навіть спати, бо приступ може статися в будь-який момент. А однокласники можуть не зрозуміти серйозності цієї проблеми й глузувати через це.
Є тільки 2 шляхи — злитися на долю та проклинати все, або намагатися жити та збирати щасливі моменти в скарбничку спогадів.
June 15, 2022
4,25 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Via via al veel goede reacties gehoord over dit boek. Nu eindelijk eraan toegekomen om hem zelf te lezen. Had ik veel eerder moeten doen. Wat een geweldig boek! Vanuit de twee personages Sven en Parker blijf je nieuwsgierig wat er verder zal gebeuren. Niet voorspelbaar, maar steeds weer verrassend goed.
Op de voorkant van het boek staan Sven, Parker en Alaska klein afgebeeld. Dat Alaska een (hulp)hond is en in feite de hoofdrol speelt en eigenlijk de verbindende factor is, valt niet op te maken uit de afbeelding op de voorkant van het boek. Dat vond ik jammer.
Dit boek is een echte aanrader voor leerlingen in de bovenbouw, maar zeker ook voor jongeren en volwassenen.
Via via al veel goede reacties gehoord over dit boek. Nu eindelijk eraan toegekomen om hem zelf te lezen. Had ik veel eerder moeten doen. Wat een geweldig boek! Vanuit de twee personages Sven en Parker blijf je nieuwsgierig wat er verder zal gebeuren. Niet voorspelbaar, maar steeds weer verrassend goed.
Op de voorkant van het boek staan Sven, Parker en Alaska klein afgebeeld. Dat Alaska een (hulp)hond is en in feite de hoofdrol speelt en eigenlijk de verbindende factor is, valt niet op te maken uit de afbeelding op de voorkant van het boek. Dat vond ik jammer.
Dit boek is een echte aanrader voor leerlingen in de bovenbouw, maar zeker ook voor jongeren en volwassenen.
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