Talking to Alaska
(15 reviews with an average rating of 5 out of 5)
Publisher: OneWorld
It only takes one day at their new school for Parker and Sven to become mortal enemies. Parker’s had a terrible summer and just wants to be invisible, while Sven is desperate to make an impression and be known as anything other than ‘that kid with epilepsy.’
When Parker discovers her beloved dog Alaska – who she had to give away last year – now belongs to Sven, she’s determined to steal her back. Of course, that’s much easier said than done…
Meanwhile, Sven is mortified when Alaska is brought to meet him wearing her fluorescent Assistance Dog vest. Having epilepsy feels like he has no control over his life anymore, so when Parker – face covered and in disguise – arrives in his bedroom at midnight to take Alaska back, there’s something new to think about. But after spilling all his secrets to her, what’ll happen if he uncovers her real identity?
Told in alternating chapters between the two characters, this is a heartfelt story about understanding others. It’s a relatively short read, but Anna Woltz packs a lot in, including themes of bullying, trauma, and coping with life-altering situations, while the characters make unexpected discoveries about friendship – and a special discovery about Alaska too.
-
Favourite translated children's books
If you're interested in exploring children's books in translation, these well-loved favourites and award-winning titles offer the perfect places to start.
-
Books to help your child get ready for the big move to secondary school
The transition to secondary school can be both exciting and difficult. These books aimed at 11-13 year olds contain themes around friendships and overcoming a variety of challenges, as well as starting at a new school.
-
Books about epilepsy and seizures
This booklist includes books with characters who have epilepsy and books with characters that have seizures. The cause is not always explained or known, nor is it the same in every case. It’s important to note that those books set in historical times do show some ignorance and subsequent ill-treatment, which can be hard to read about. However, these are exce…
What you thought...
Average rating:
-
Lex, 09 June 2021
-
I love this book, its very heart warming . this made two enemies friends by a love of a dog. I couldn't stop reading this book .I'm so glad I read this book I learnt so much more .I simply couldn't put the book down. A style that makes you feel if you are in the characters shoes
angela, 28 January 2021
-
I didn't like this story to start with as I hated the idea of kidnapping a dog but it was gripping and intense right from the start so I couldn't stop reading it regardless. I am so glad I did. It is a fantastic tale of coping with all life throws at you and learning how to deal with it and an unexpected friendship. I read it in one sitting as I found I simply couldn't put it down!
Mrs Beckett, 18 January 2021
-
I think its a good book with a good entertaining intense story the story is basically about Parker and Sven and they don't like each other parker had to give her own dog away but it turns out her arch nemeses Sven is actually the one who adopted Parker's dog Alaska so Parker is willing to steal her back
Finlay, 01 January 2021
-
For all of read so far, I think the diaries of both Parker and Sven are truly marvellous, as their personalities are so different. It truly was like reading a much better version of a diary!!!
Emilia, 24 November 2020
-
This is a very good book that I 100% recommend to a lot of people. It’s about a girl called Parker that had to sell her best friend/ dog to someone else and the person Alaska went to was Sven a boy she knew. I have not read all of it but so far it is great.
Charlotte, 24 November 2020
-
I really enjoyed this book, I think that is so amazing how the author describes so much emotion and love between Alaska and Parker, and also all the feeling thats are expressed in a way that makes you really understand how the characters are feeling, I really loved this book.
Sofia, 24 November 2020
-
I haven't read that much but I think it's a very good book. I like that it's told from two character perspectives.
Marla, 24 November 2020
-
Its a amazing book that made two enemies friends by the love of a dog, this book has two point of views, it has Sven (the kid that doesn't want to be known as the nerd of the class) and Parker (that had a dog named Alaska 4 months ago but had to have a new owner). Sven doesn't want to be known as 'that boy with epilepsy', so he started to bully Parker to be 'cool'. Parker just found out that Sven is Alaska's new owner so she wanted to kidnap her at night.
Paulina, 23 November 2020
-
It is a very exciting book that keeps you on your feet the whole time.I enjoyed it very much.
Harry, 22 November 2020
-
It's amazing I'm still reading it but would definitely would get this it's just so amazing. It flips between two characters every chapters and I think it really works with the story. 100% recommend!!!!!!
Bethany, 22 November 2020
-
Basically the characters start a new school. And then Parker and Sven become mortal enemies. Parker had a very bad summer and just wanted to come invisible, While Sven is desperate to make an impression and be known as anything other then “the boy with epilepsy”.
Poppy, 21 November 2020
-
'Talking to Alaska' is inspiring because it is written in an amazing style. A style that makes you feel as if you are in the characters shoes.
Katie, 20 November 2020
-
I relly enjoyed this book. It has so much going on and it's so sad that it's actually stuck on my mind! There is a girl called Parker and a boy called Sven. Parker had to give her dog Alaska up last year because her brother was ellergic. But turns out Sven adopted Alaska as an assistance dog. Also... Sven and Parker are in the same class! So yeah this book is really good.
Bo, 19 November 2020
-
I like this book it is very heartwarming.
Cameron, 18 November 2020
I do not really read books since I never find the right ones but as I read this book, I couldn't take my eyes off it. It's an amazing, wholesome story that has a lot of twists and turns. Definitely recommend for all ages!