Scan barcode
leia_litdeslivres's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The idea was okay, but the random bits of sexism were a bit too much for me
lemonaves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anne_l's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Boek voorgezen aan mijn klas. Wat een prachtig verhaal met mooie boodschappen. De kinderen hingen aan mijn lip elke keer dat ik voorlas.
abi73x's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
crystalmethany's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
nienke_de_koning's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smamato2's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC. 5 Stars for Talking to Alaska. Winner of the Zilveren Griffel literary prize for Dutch Children's book. Talking to Alaska is a heartwarming tale that examines the friendship between Parker and her previous beloved dog Alaska, Parker and Sven, and between Sven and his new assistance dog Alaska. Parker and Sven attend school together and at first despise each other. They form a friendship when Parker sneaks into Sven's house determined to steal her old dog Alaska back. Sven is epileptic and needs Alaska to help him and keep him safe. Being Dutch by heritage I appreciated the Dutch references in the book and was laughing and smiling the whole way through.
gingerbread_void's review against another edition
4.0
This book was not what I was expecting but in the best way possible. I was definitely expecting a soft and easy book about a dog and the two kids who care for her but this book was so much more than that. This book actually explores some pretty tough subjects and it does so in a way young kids can understanding.
I appreciate the exploration of an invisible disability most of all. The way it can be isolating even from those you love and who care about you. The discretion of it as making you feel like you are constantly on Mars really hit home for me. The always having to explain how and why you do something. The only thing I do wish had been explored a bit more is the disbelief those with an invisible disability face but that didn't bring the book down for me.
I will say the one thing that did bother me was the characters. I found them very unlikable for probably 70% of the book. I'm unsure if this was done on purpose or not. Is some places it felt purposeful especially with Sven but I also found Parker to be very annoying. Her constant self-righteousness really bothered me in places. By the end of the story I was less bothered by them but I also felt as if their personality made a major flip. It didn't feel like a casual growth thing either but more like it was almost out of nowhere.
Overall this was a really good middle grade book that explores some great subjects. I would recommend this book solely based on the elegant way it handle a pretty challenging subject. The characters did rub me the wrong way but they may have just been me. I would say as someone with an invisible disability this is a book I was I had growing up even if it didn't have my exact disability I still felt seen even now as an adult.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early review copy.
I appreciate the exploration of an invisible disability most of all. The way it can be isolating even from those you love and who care about you. The discretion of it as making you feel like you are constantly on Mars really hit home for me. The always having to explain how and why you do something. The only thing I do wish had been explored a bit more is the disbelief those with an invisible disability face but that didn't bring the book down for me.
I will say the one thing that did bother me was the characters. I found them very unlikable for probably 70% of the book. I'm unsure if this was done on purpose or not. Is some places it felt purposeful especially with Sven but I also found Parker to be very annoying. Her constant self-righteousness really bothered me in places. By the end of the story I was less bothered by them but I also felt as if their personality made a major flip. It didn't feel like a casual growth thing either but more like it was almost out of nowhere.
Overall this was a really good middle grade book that explores some great subjects. I would recommend this book solely based on the elegant way it handle a pretty challenging subject. The characters did rub me the wrong way but they may have just been me. I would say as someone with an invisible disability this is a book I was I had growing up even if it didn't have my exact disability I still felt seen even now as an adult.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early review copy.