My One Square Inch of Alaska: A Novel

Donna Lane has a lot on her plate; she's about to graduate high school but, she's also a mother figure to her younger brother Will. Their mother took off when they were young and their father drinks a bit too much. Donna has dreams of her own but, it's her brother she is most concerned with.Brother Will is obsessed with collecting enough cereal box tops for a chance to win a contest - "one square inch of Alaska." Will is also obsessed with protecting and giving a better life to a neglected, mute, Siberian Husky that lives nearby. When Will is diagnosed with childhood leukemia - (it's the 1950's-60s) and recovery is not looking very good for Will, Donna is determined to make her brother's dream come true.This book sat on my shelves far too long and I'm so happy that I finally got to read it. It's a story that started slightly slow and at times seemed geared more to the YA genre but, oh my did it ever stir up many emotions as I read - such a good story - worth reading. Rating - 4/5 stars

My One Square Inch of Alaska is a touching, heart-warming story about growing up in Ohio during the fifties by Dayton author Sharon Short. The characters are strong and believable, and the story was so compelling I really could not put the book down once I started. Short tells the story of teenager Donna Lane and the difficult responsibility of caring for her younger brother Will and her alcoholic father. She dreams of having more than her small town life offers, yet she never shirks her responsibilities. Both Donna and Will have dreams. Will, infatuated with his favorite television show, Sergeant Striker and the Alaskan Wild, is determined to save enough box tops from Marvel Puffs cereal to receive his certified, official deed to one square inch of Alaska, while Donna dreams of becoming a famous fashion designer in New York. When Will becomes sick, Donna and Will set out for their Alaskan adventure with Trusty, Will’s adopted husky in tow. While growing up in the 60s in the Dayton, Ohio area may have made Short's novel even more fascinating to me, the beauty of any story is to transcend the setting to make the story resonate with anyone in any setting. She achieves that beautifully. My One Square Inch of Alaska may just leave you with the courage to follow your own dreams wherever they may take you!

If you are looking for a charming and heart-warming, book....look no further. This novel is just a good book and you will enjoy every moment.I really liked that not only was it a good story, it was also very well written. The characters were realistic and the plot was nearly always realistic, too. (ok..I had one question about how they could cross the border into Canada as minors and with a dog without papers to show that shots were up-to-date).Donna is a typical high school senior who wants most to get out of her small town Ohio life. She lives with her mother's memory and an alcoholic father while taking care of her younger brother who develops a terminal illness.The title of the story refers to a cereal box contest where someone can turn in ten box tops and win a deed to one square inch of Alaska. Her brother - Will - has a fascination with Alaska and dreams of winning and seeing his one square inch.There is some sadness and disappointment in the book (like real life!) but you will finish it with a warm feeling.As soon as I finished I went to Amazon to see if the author had more books...I hope she gets to work on her next novel soon. I will definitely buy it.

A coming of age story that spoke to me as one presumably long past that time of life. My enjoyment of Sharon Short's previous books predisposed me to appreciate this one, but I was not expecting to be drawn into it as emotionally as I was. Tears before work are not good for the professional grooming....Another major theme is there is hope, even if it isn't what you want it to be.Although the basic plot might sound facile, she doesn't take the easy, sentimental path so often indicated. Maybe that is why I believed in the characters and liked most of them despite their flaws. Sometimes I wanted to hit Donna upside her head, but I wish I had been far more like her than I was. Or am, for that matter.As a papermaker's wife, the mill's role interested me, and seemed quite real. As if I didn't already know that Ms Short has lived in a paper town.

This was a very pleasant read, aimed for a teen audience, much like Fault of Our Stars. I really enjoyed it, however and felt myself rooting for the main characters. It was written in the 1950s setting, so the relationship to my age added to the attraction. While the characters suffered angst, it is still a very charming read. It is well done and ends well, via the epilogue.

I'm so glad I heard about Sharon Short's book on Facebook. It's a terrific read. I wanted to devour it and make it last forever at the same time. The book brought me back to the 50's while reminding me that so many of the issues remain the same today when it comes to our dreams. Being an adventuresome person, I could really appreciate the trip to Alaska in a convertible pulling a camper, completely unprepared physically for the journey, but having what it takes emotionally and psychologically to succeed. The plot was intriguing and the characters real and interesting. Thanks, Sharon, for a great read.

This is a novel with "meat," lots of thought and character development, fiction at its best. The story line is unusual yet typical for the '40's and '50's cereal box giveaways. As a child of the '40's, I collected my share of rings, Dick Tracy watches, "official" proclamations, etc., all junk and prized. The determination and fortitude of big sister Donna and little brother Will, the adults in their lives, and the directions they take, are rather amazing, but real. If someone is looking for a good read and writing, try this one. I look forward to more books from Sharon Short.