''Achtste-groepers huilen niet'' (English: ''Sixth Graders Don't Cry'', also known as ''Kule Kidz Gråter Ikke'', ''Cool Kids Don't Cry'') is a 1999 Dutch children's book by Jacques Vriens. The book was first published in September 1999 as ''Achtste-groepers huilen niet'' and has since been translated into Norwegian and German.

Synopsis

Akkie is a happy-go-lucky sixth grader that's obsessed with soccer, her friends, and the upcoming school trip. She's known for being tough and always up for a challenge, so when Akkie is diagnosed with

leukemia Leukemia ( also spelled leukaemia and pronounced ) is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called ''blasts'' or ' ...

she refuses to let it slow her down. Her classmates are in shock, but Akkie refuses to allow them to treat her as if she were broken. As time passes it becomes clear that her illness is very far progressed and it becomes harder for Akkie to do everything she wants to do in the time she has left.

Background

Vriens, who formerly worked as a schoolteacher, drew inspiration for the book from one of his students named Anke, who suffered from

. One of his students joked that he should write about Anke, to which the girl eagerly agreed. After she died in 1991 Vriens had difficulty approaching the subject matter, but Anke's mother encouraged him to write the book. It took him several times before he could begin writing, as the story was deeply personal to him and he would grow sad when he knew that the book's main character of Akkie would have to die. To distance himself from the work, Vriens changed the name of the book's main character and made Akkie's teacher female instead of male.

Adaptations

''Achtste-groepers huilen niet'' has been adapted for the screen twice. The first adaptation was the 2012 Dutch film ''

Achtste Groepers Huilen Niet ''Achtste Groepers Huilen Niet'' (English: ''Eighth Graders Don't Cry'', also known as ''Cool Kids Don't Cry'') is a 2012 family drama that was directed by Dennis Bots. The film is an adaptation of the Dutch book Achtste-groepers huilen niet, of t ...

'', which starred Hanna Obbeek as the main character of Akkie. It was nominated for several awards and won a 2012 '' Golden Film Award'', a 2012 '' Golden Calf Audience Award'', and the 2012 ''

Rembrandt Award The Rembrandt Award was a Dutch film award. Initially created in 1993, it was not awarded between 1999 and 2006, but was recreated in 2007 by René Mioch.. It has not been awarded since 2015. 2007 *''Zwartboek'' – Best Dutch Film * Daniël ...

for Best Dutch Youth Film''. The second adaptation was the 2014 Norwegian ''

Kule Kidz Gråter Ikke ''Kule kidz gråter ikke'' (English: ''Cool Kidz Don't Cry'', also known as ''Kick It!'') is a 2014 Norwegian drama film directed by Katarina Launing. It is a remake of the 2012 Dutch film '' Achtste Groepers Huilen Niet'', which was based on the b ...

'', which was also a remake of the 2012 Dutch film. There are currently plans to adapt the novel for American, Chinese, and Indian audiences.

Reception

Bergens Tidende ''Bergens Tidende'' is Norway's fifth-largest newspaper, and the country's largest newspaper outside Oslo. ''Bergens Tidende'' is owned by the public company Schibsted ASA. Norwegian owners held a mere 42% of the shares in Schibsted at the end ...

'' gave the book a positive rating.

Awards

*''Prijs van de Nederlandse Kinderjury for 10-12 jaar'' (2000)

References

{{reflist

External links

Kule Kidz Gråter Ikke
at

Cappelen Damm Cappelen Damm AS is a Norwegian publisher established in 2007. The present company resulted from the merger of J.W. Cappelens Forlag, founded in 1829, and N.W. Damm & Søn, founded in 1843. Cappelen Damm is jointly owned by the Bonnier Group ...

1999 novels 1999 children's books Dutch children's novels Dutch novels adapted into films Cancer in fiction