'The most important things in life are speed and self-respect!' - this is the opinion of ten-year-old Tonya Glimmerdal, the heroine of the second book by the brilliant young Norwegian writer, author of the bestseller 'Waffle Heart' Maria Parr.

Tonya is the only child in a Norwegian mountain village near the sea. She has a snow scooter, skis, a large family that only gets together on holidays, and mountains, pastures, and a river - all around her. When she flies on skis, singing at the top of her voice and flashing her red hair, the whole village knows that the most important person in the valley is riding. Tonya's best friend is old Gunvald, who bakes cupcakes for her and plays the violin. But Tonya's life is not always carefree and full of fun. On the contrary, she has plenty of troubles. Firstly, there is not a single child in the area, and Tonya so desperately wants to find friends her own age. Secondly, the new owner of the tourist camp doesn't allow children—they make too much noise, and his guests value peace and quiet. But once Tonya has decided on something, she won't back down. After all, the most important things in life are 'speed and self-respect!'


Red-haired Tonya lives on a Norwegian farm lost high in the mountains and is friends with an old musician who bakes her cupcakes. She has a dad with a huge red beard who herds sheep, and a mom who worries about the melting glaciers in Antarctica. Every day for Tonya is an adventure. Like any teenager, she, of course, makes mistakes.

Author: Maria Parr