Astrid the Unstoppable

October 1, 2018
At nine years old, free-range Astrid Glimmerdal has the whole wide world (or at least her tiny Norwegian town) “in front of her skis.” As the only child around, the small songstress (“It is important to sing when you’re skiing”) has to get creative about finding friends—her best friend is her 74-year-old godfather, Gunnvald—but she’s managed to turn Mr. Hagen, the owner of Hagen’s Wellness Retreat who’s more fond of quiet than of children, into her nemesis. As she speeds toward her 10th birthday, Astrid discovers that her beloved Gunnvald has a secret, a daughter she doesn’t know about, that may change her view of the world forever. Imbued with a Scandinavian sensibility, this novel by Parr (Adventures with Waffles) presents fun alongside concepts such as death, physical distance between friends, and estrangement in an age-appropriate format, and both encourages readers to question new ideas and offers a fertile foundation for imagination. Fans of Pippi Longstocking and the Moomins will delight in Parr’s indomitable Astrid. Ages 7–10.

Starred review from November 1, 2018
Grades 3-5 *Starred Review* Nine-year-old Astrid is the only child living in Glimmerdal, Norway, which boasts a forest and a river, as well as a few small farms, houses, and shops. It's not a quiet place, though, not with Astrid, the little thunderbolt of Glimmerdal, skiing or sledding down hills and across roads with reckless abandon while singing loudly to keep up her courage. When cranky old Gunnvald, her godfather and best friend, creates a heartrending problem, she tries to set things right. This fierce, lovable girl bravely takes action, even when she's trembling inside. More than once, she confronts adults who are about to make irrevocable mistakes out of greed, stubbornness, or emotional distress. While Johanna Spyri's book Heidi has a small role in the story, the main character here has much more in common with the irrepressible, unconventional heroine of Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking. Drama and humor are interwoven throughout the well-paced narrative, which transports readers to a distinctive locale and introduces vividly drawn, memorable characters. Small drawings at chapter headings and a double-page map add visual appeal. Norwegian writer Parr, whose Adventures with Waffles (2013) has been translated into many languages, offers another original chapter book with a strong sense of place and international appeal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
Boisterous ten-year-old Astrid is the sole child inhabitant of a tiny Norwegian village. When her best friend, elderly curmudgeon Gunnvald, breaks his leg, his hitherto-unknown (to Astrid) grown daughter shows up. Humor and pathos result--lots of both--all grounded by the specificity of the setting and the clarity and depth of the characterizations. Although there are homages to Heidi and Pippi Longstocking, Parr has crafted a fresh tale all her own.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2019
In the tiny Norwegian village of Glimmerdal, ten-year-old Astrid?whose unflagging energy and boisterousness have earned her the nickname the little thunderbolt of Glimmerdal ?is the sole child inhabitant. She is the bane of grouchy Mr. Hagen's life (owner of a wellness retreat that advertises peace and quiet) and the light of elderly curmudgeon Gunnvald's (Astrid's best friend). Life continues apace, with Astrid hurtling down mountains on various skis and sleds and generally wreaking havoc, until disruption arrives in the form of: a mysterious letter that throws Gunnvald into a funk; two young brothers, visitors to the wellness retreat; a freak accident in which Gunnvald breaks his leg; and the arrival of Gunnvald's hitherto-unknown (to Astrid) grown daughter. Humor and pathos result?lots of both?all grounded by the specificity of the setting and the clarity and depth of the characterization. The action scenes are riveting, but it's the relationships that deepen the story and make it memorable. Although there's no missing the homages to Heidi (Gunnvald resembles Spyri's novel's grandfather; Gunnvald's daughter is named Heidi; and Astrid reads Heidi throughout) and Pippi Longstocking (with Astrid's flaming red hair, self-confidence, and almost-an-orphan independence, not to mention her shared first name with Pippi's author), Parr (Adventures with Waffles, rev. 5/15) has crafted a fresh and original tale, all her own. martha v. parravano

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)