Astrid the Unstoppable

I want to forget this book and read it all over again for the first time. Never has a middle-grade book made me feel so much. My heart flip-flopped with every chapter and I often caught myself holding my breath as I turned the pages. Each revelation was more dramatic than the last.

Having an “Astrid” of my own, each outburst and tantrum were both endearing and familiar. The relationships were unique and heartwarming. I didn’t know I could love fictional characters this much. Each chapter evoked tears and laughter.

Astrid is a modern day Heidi, full of charm and tenacity. She made me laugh out loud, champion for her causes, and love her more each page. She tackles problems with a ferocity that I admire and envy.
The author paints a show more picture of breathtaking scenery, beautiful vistas, and imposing, snow capped mountains. You can vividly imagine the roar of the river and feel the snow crunch beneath your feet. Warm spring air fills your nostrils as you breathe in the heady scent of new grass and spruce.

Everything about this story was magnificent. It is not a story that can be rushed, but must be thoroughly digested, thought about, reflected upon. It’s written age appropriately with themes that an adult can enjoy and appreciate. I would love to see this made into a film or a written series. I want more of the little thunderbolt of Glimmerdal. show less

The only child in the valley of Glimmerdal, nine-year-old Astrid is delightfully impulsive -- a Pippi Longstocking for the 21st century. Her best friend and frequent conspirator in adventure is her elderly neighbor Gunnvald, though one day she is surprised to meet two children at the nearby resort. How is that possible, when Hagen's Wellness Retreat is strictly adults only? And who is the strange woman who arrives in the valley when Gunnvald is hospitalized? I loved the humor and Nordic spirit in this charming children's novel, though I could have done with fewer references to snus.

I received this ARC via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.

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 show more 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

When critics compared Astrid to Pippi, Heidi and Anne Shirley, I remained skeptical.

What a pleasant surprise to find out that the critics were correct!

"Astrid the Unstoppable" blends important life lessons -- the value of friendship, family and forgiveness -- with enough fun and adventure to be appealing to any child. This book is just plain fun, and I will most definitely be adding it to the collection of the public library I direct ---and will be giving copies to my great nieces ---- because that's what a good auntie would do.

I was absolutely charmed by this book. Astrid is the type of heroine you want to keep reading about, so I hope it becomes a series. The depiction of Norwegian rural life seems so realistic, and the depiction of the various characters from a child’s viewpoint is affecting without being too overly sweet.

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 show more children's lit or the great girl heroines. show less

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 show more 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