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.)