365 Days to Alaska

Cathy Carr's 365 Days to Alaska is a charming middle-grade novel about a girl from off-the-grid Alaska adjusting to suburban life. Rigel Harman loves her life in Alaska but has to move with her family to the Connecticut suburbs to live with a grandmother she's never met. She befriends a crow living behind her school and finds beauty, hope, and connection in the world, even in Connecticut. The novel is a wise and funny reflection on finding beauty, hope, and connection in the world no matter where you are.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Abrams

"365 Days to Alaska" is a delightful middle-grade novel that delves into the captivating journey of a young girl from off-the-grid Alaska as she adapts to suburban life. Eleven-year-old Rigel Harman cherishes her idyllic existence in the remote Alaskan wilderness, where she engages in thrilling rabbit hunts, takes correspondence classes through the mail, and enjoys lively dominoes games with her family in their cozy two-room cabin. She finds joy in the simplicity of living without electricity or running water, surrounded by towering trees, pristine streams, and an expansive sky. However, her world is turned upside down when her parents announce their divorce, forcing Rigel and her sisters to relocate to the Connecticut suburbs to live with their grandmother they have never met. Rigel finds herself disheartened and despondent in her new surroundings, yearning for the tranquility and beauty of her Alaskan home. But amidst the chaos, she holds onto a secret pact she made with her father: if she can endure one year in Connecticut, she will bring her back home.

At first, surviving the year seems insurmountable. Rigel struggles to adapt to the noisy, crowded, and urban environment, feeling disconnected from everyone around her. But then, in a surprising turn of events, she forms an unlikely friendship with a crow that lives behind her school. The crow, with its resilience and adaptability, becomes a source of inspiration and guidance for Rigel as she navigates the challenges of suburban life. Through their interactions, Rigel begins to see the beauty and wonder in the world around her, even in the seemingly mundane suburbs of Connecticut.

"365 Days to Alaska" is a profound and uplifting debut novel that explores the themes of beauty, hope, and connection. It offers a poignant reflection on the importance of finding our place in the world, no matter where we are. Rigel's journey is filled with suspense, as she navigates the complexities of middle school, forms new relationships, and confronts her own fears and insecurities. The novel is filled with witty dialogue, memorable characters, and heartwarming moments that will leave readers feeling inspired and uplifted.

John David Anderson, the author of "Ms. Bixby's Last Day," praises Rigel's "big heart" and describes the novel as a "funny and poignant fish-out-of-water tale with all the right feels." Francisco X. Stork, the author of "Marcelo in the Real World," praises Rigel's journey as one that will help readers discover the beauty and uniqueness of their own surroundings.

In conclusion, "365 Days to Alaska" is a captivating middle-grade novel that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Through the eyes of Rigel Harman, we witness her transformation as she learns to embrace the beauty of the world around her, even in the most unexpected places. The novel's themes of beauty, hope, and connection resonate with readers of all ages, reminding us that no matter where we are, we can always find our way home.

Dimension: 203 x 140 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781419743818