Astrid the Unstoppable

by Maria Parr

Hardcover, 2018

Genres

Description

"Speed and self-confidence, that's Astrid's motto. Nicknamed "the little thunderbolt," she loves to spend her days racing down the hillside on her skis or sled, singing merrily as she goes, and drinking hot chocolate made from real chocolate bars with her grumpy best friend and godfather, Gunnvald. She just wishes there were other children to share in her hair-raising adventures. But her world is about to be turned upside down, first by the arrival of a family with children to her village, and then by a mysterious woman whom everyone but Astrid seems to know. Gunnvald has been keeping a big secret from her --one that will test their friendship. Astrid isn't happy about all the changes in Glimmerdal. Luckily, she has a plan to set things right."--Jacket.… (more)

Publication

Candlewick (2018), Edition: Illustrated, 320 pages

User reviews

LibraryThing member mabith

Astrid is the only child living on Glimmerdal, and spends her time annoying the health retreat owner, skiing, and sledding. The book is being posed alongside Pippi Longstocking, Anne Shirley, etc...

Unfortunately the book didn't work for me. It seems to be trying too hard and Astrid never felt like

a fully developed character. Her bad behavior didn't seem warranted or explainable in the way Pippi's is (having been raised by pirates), so just appeared rude and entitled (but it's not at all a "spoiled child unlearns bad behavior" book either). The deeper story line also felt very contrived and extremely rushed in characters suddenly opening up or liking each other after all. I don't think it comes anywhere close to the classics of children's lit or the great girl heroines.

Show Less

4 more

LibraryThing member amyghilton

Adorable and heartwarming story that takes place in a Norwegian town.

They call her the little thunderbolt of Glimmerdal. Nine-year-old Astrid is the only child in the tiny town of Glimmerdal. She spends most of her time with her best friend, Gunnvald, a cranky but loveable 74-year-old man. He has

taught her so many things, like how to make the fastest sled around and how to make venison stew, but it's Astrid who teaches him the most important lesson of his life.

This book was lighthearted and humorous, yet so deep with emotion. Each chapter is a new adventure. The main character is full of spunk and overflowing with confidence in herself. Great read for girls ages 8-11.

Show Less

LibraryThing member niaomiya

This absolutely delightful and touching story has been quite accurately described by critics as Pippi Longstocking meets Heidi meets Anne Shirley. Who can resist that description?

Astrid is a not-quite-10-year-old girl living in the village of Glimmerdal. As the only child living in the village, she

is well known to everyone in her hometown. Her indomitable spirit and sense of adventure have earned her the nickname "The Little Thunderbolt," and she makes sure she lives up to her nickname. Her best friend is her godfather Gunnvald, with whom she loves to spend time, but she wishes there were other children in town. When two children unexpectedly show up, and then another strange woman appears in town, Astrid's life all of a sudden gets very exciting, and she discovers that even best friends have secrets they don't share.

I have to mention that this book was beautifully translated from Norwegian by Guy Puzey. Puzey does an incredible job of capturing Astrid's spirit. He somehow is able to translate songs that rhyme in Norwegian into songs that still rhyme in English. Quirky collequialisms are also deftly translated into English. I was incredibly impressed with the quality of the translation. In most books, you can tell that something is lost in translation, but in the case of "Astrid the Unstoppable," Guy Puzey proves himself a very capable translator who does Maria Parr's book the justice it deserves.

Show Less

LibraryThing member sweetiegherkin

Nine-year-old Astrid is the only child in her small mountain village and her best friend is her grumpy, elderly neighbor Gunnvald. Astrid's impishly mischievous ways get in her to various scrapes, but she's also a staunch friend of Gunnvald's, which is needed when he faces some issues.

This book

had a slow start (for me at least) but it picked up when it got to the main thrust of the story about Gunnvald and his past. I did find the quirky characters interesting, even if they are a bit one-dimensional. The small village life aspect was sweet, along with the close family bonds and friendship ties.

The writing style and basic storyline were such that this book would be accessible to fairly young readers (whether being read aloud to or reading to themselves). However, there were definitely some questionable things, such as an alcoholic neighbor, frequent use of snus (a tobacco product), the shooting of animals (both for sustenance and for sport/other reasons), sledding in the street dodging traffic, and physical fighting. So I would say you really have to know your child reader and what they can handle/what they know is fiction (and not something to replicate!) before recommending it.

Show Less

LibraryThing member hooligansmama

I love a book with a quirky girl who gets after life. This book doesn’t disappoint. Scandinavian setting, outdoor adventure and a little girl larger then life bringing people together and tackling life’s challenges head on. It’s a fun one.

Fewer