Something about Alaska is a young adult
book about a boy visiting his estranged father. It is an adventurous, emotional
story about growing up.
Zac is a fourteen-year-old boy who goes to spend Christmas with his estranged father. They haven’t seen each other in some time and to make things complicated, his father lives in remote Alaska.
Things are a little awkward between Zac and his father, but Zac has hopes they will get along. His father likes to live alone and remains away from other people.
Zac has a hard time understanding and finds it difficult to
reach his tormented alcoholic father who is stuck in the past. Soon Zac feels
he can do nothing right in his father’s eyes.
After a sledding incident, his father crosses a line, and Zac runs away, right in the middle of a storm. He has to hitchhike and tries to find a way back home, to his mum.
The story transports us to the white snow and freezing winds of
Alaska. Zac's journey includes lost cabins, dog sledding and terrifying storms.
The remoteness of the setting works well and reflects both father and son's isolation
from each other. Although it was quite sad, it also had beauty and focused on
growth and was quite spiritual at times. Zac is a likeable character, although
he is troubled and makes mistakes, he remains brave and willing to grow.
Something about Alaska is a raw atmospheric story that will intrigue a young audience. The danger and fear never feel far from the page and propel the story forward, but underneath this, it is an emotional coming-of-age book about knowing your worth and forgiveness.
Title: Something About Alaska
Author: J A Cooper
Publisher: MidnightSun Publishing, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780987380975
For ages: 12+
Type: Young Adult Fiction
