Awards

• Kirkus Best Middle-Grade Book
• Kirkus Best Middle-Grade Fiction Book
• Winner of Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (German Youth Literature Prize) 1994 (Germany)

Overview

Why doesn’t Berra have a grandfather? And how can he get one? There are plenty of old men at the retirement home, Ulf suggests. They go there together to find one—ideally one who eats pig’s trotters, invites you to tea and can teach you to whistle. Can You Whistle, Johanna? is an international award-winner and classic in many countries by one of the world's great writers. Best Middle-Grade Fiction 2021, Kirkus.

Full Product Details

9781776573257

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Reviews

"""Together, the words and illustrations... tell a story that is sad and happy at the same time. It’s a story that makes sense to everyone who ever had - or wanted - a grandfather."" -- The School Magazine (NSW) ""This is an extraordinarily tender, beautiful story of friendship and loss. Stark combines searing poignancy with joyous humour and the most lyrical phrases to produce a quirky, endearing story that deeply touches the heart"" -- The Sunday Tasmanian (AU) ""This story touches the heart. It manages to be charming, warm, funny, poignant and sad all at once and it’s told in such a way that a grandparent can reminisce and a young person can understand about friendship and loss not just through their own eyes but through the perspective of a much older person."" -- PETA Starred review. A sweet, tender, never maudlin evocation of an intergenerational friendship. -- Kirkus Reviews 5+ One of those rare perfect ones. -- Youth Services Book Review Can You Whistle, Johanna?... is a heartwarming and emotional tale of human connection, and its importance at any age. -- NetGalley Reviewer A book that demands to be shared and enjoyed. -- IBBY UK"

When his friend Ulf describes the fun he has with his grandfather, Berra wishes for his own grandfather. To find him one, Ulf brings Berra to an old folks home, where they meet Ned, and Berra introduces himself as his grandson. Ned is lonely, so he willingly accepts the relationship. They have tea with the other residents, to whom Ned proudly introduces his newly acquired grandson. At first, recalling Ulf's tales, Berra asks Ned for money, which he gladly gives. After several more visits, Ned takes them to the park, where Ned builds a kite made from sticks and his wife's silk scarf while speaking lovingly about his wife, Johanna, and whistling the pretty tune that is also the title of this book. Berra's relationship with Ned grows deeper. He tries to whistle just like Ned and plans a birthday surprise for him that pleases and delights the old man. Ned tires easily and gets confused and lost, but the 7-year-olds don't really see the ramifications. Berra waits until he can whistle before his next visit but discovers that Ned has died. In a tribute to his adopted grandfather, he whistles his favorite song for him at his funeral. In this Swedish import, the author's namesake Ulf, who is observer, participant, and good friend, narrates the tale in a direct, matter-of-fact tone. Hoeglund's deceptively simple, colorful cartoons beautifully capture the characters' emotions and actions. Characters present white. A sweet, tender, never maudlin evocation of an intergenerational friendship.--starred, Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (2/15/2021 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

Ulf Stark (1944–2017) is one of the world's great writers. Author of over 30 books for children and young adults, he has won many prizes, including the German Youth Literature Prize and the Astrid Lindgren Prize. He was shortlisted for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2018. Anna Höglund is a Swedish illustrator and author. Her work has been recognized with Swedish and international awards. She has worked with many well-known authors including Barbro Lindgren and Ulf Stark.

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