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A review by amybibliophile
Talking to Alaska by Anna Woltz, Laura Watkinson
4.0
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!