Parker and Sven struggle when starting a new school. Sven has epilepsy and is desperate to not have a fit in front of his classmates. Parker is afraid; of what, we’re not sure at the start of the book, but that is gradually revealed as the story progresses. The thing they have in common is Alaska, a golden retriever who used to belong to Parker but who had to be rehomed because one of her brothers was allergic, and who is now Sven’s assistance dog.

When the two children don’t get off to a good start, Parker decides she wants Alaska back.

This is a lovely story which explores hidden disabilities and the need to belong and feel accepted.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

‘Talking To Alaska’ is a middle grade novel about the power of friendship and two people’s shared love of a dog named Alaska. This book splits between two point of views, Sven and Parker, who are both in class 1B, after Sven moves to his new school. Sven has epilepsy and has his own service dog, Alaska, who also happens to be Parkers old dog, who she was forced to get rid of. Alaska ends up being the connection between both Sven and Parker, who begin a strong friendship because of her.

I really liked this book. It was such a quick read, but I was entertained the whole time and wanted to know what was going to happen next to both Sven and Parker. I really enjoyed the discussion of Sven’s epilepsy and how he felt different and left out because of his seizures and how throughout the book, Sven, with the help of Parker, Alaska and the other kids in his class, starts to realise that his epilepsy is not something which he should be ashamed about.

My favourite aspect of ‘Talking To Alaska’ was the relationship that both Sven and Parker had with Alaska. I liked seeing Sven grow to love Alaska and seeing Parker come to accept that Alaska is not her dog anymore but that she can still love her and see her.

My only negative of this book was that the ending felt a little rushed and that a lot of things were left unanswered. I found myself wanting a little bit more from the ending and from the book overall.

‘Talking To Alaska’ was a cute, light-hearted book that I really enjoyed reading and will definitely appeal to a younger audience and anyone who loves dogs.

Thank you to Oneworld Publications for providing me with an advance copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

This was a really sweet book for me. I wish more children's books were translated to reach a wider audience. I found this incredibly interesting that this novel was translated from Dutch.

I found this book to either be on the older side of middle grade or a very young YA. If you have readers from 11-13, this seems like a great book to fill the gap in the market for tween readers. Especially if you work in bookselling and regularly have to give recommendations to children/young adults.

While the writing and some of the issues the main characters talk about seemed quite juvenile to me, I have to remember that I'm many years out of school and this novel isn't targeted towards me specifically. However, what I am specifically impressed with is the more serious and real-life subject matter that this author discusses.

Invisible illness and anxiety is a topic that's very close to my heart and to see it represented in not only fiction but children's fiction was incredibly important to me. Whatever invisible illness may be afflicting a person, to read from a character going through this builds empathy and understanding with the reader. The author didn't talk down to children or write as if they wouldn't understand what the characters were going through.

Our characters definitely have a growth arc from the start of the book to where they end up. Both helped along by the love they have for Alaska. Firmly reinstating that animals are better than people and that we don't deserve them.

I'm sure it must be so heart-breaking to raise and have a puppy as part of your family to then have to watch them go to another family as an assistance dog. The bitter sweetness of missing a best friend while also being incredibly proud that they are helping someone in such an amazing way.
I really appreciated the representation of an assistance dog in both the hard and joyful ways. Normalising the presence of assistance animals as well, which is such a key part of awareness. Sven has a hard time accepting that he needs an assistance dog like Alaska, he struggles to come to terms with the reality of his illness and is, at first, quite resentful to Alaska. This portrayal was so realistic to me as it's so common to deal with these feelings upon receiving a diagnosis that changes your whole life.

Meanwhile, Parker, our other protagonist is dealing with the aftermath of an armed robbery that she witnessed. You can clearly tell that she is dealing with symptoms of PTSD and extreme anxiety, however, it doesn't feel as if the author just threw this aspect in to make it "edgy". You're not beaten over the head with constant reminders and told that this is PTSD. We're definitely shown and not told, which was an aspect of the writing that I really liked.

There definitely also seems to be themes of identity in this novel. Sven doesn't just want to be seen as the sick kid or the kid in the "epilepsy club" as he says. In the same vein, Parker is tired of being seen as the weird kid, and being bullied over something so unimportant. Yet she can't change people's image of her.

There's a very slow friendship build within this novel. Helped along mostly by the bond they both have for Alaska. Showing again the powerful love that animals bring into our lives.

Overall I will definitely go on to recommend this book to not just young readers. I think older readers would enjoy elements of this just as much.