Achtste-groepers huilen niet

Akki 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 Akki is diagnosed with leukemia she refuses to let it slow her down. Her classmates are in shock, but Akki 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 Akki to do everything she wants to do in the time she has left.

Vriens, who formerly worked as a schoolteacher, drew inspiration for the book from one of his students named Anke, who suffered from leukemia.[2] 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.[2] 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 Akki would have to die.[2] To distance himself from the work, Vriens changed the name of the book's main character and made Akki's teacher female instead of male.[2]

Achtste-groepers huilen niet has been adapted for the screen twice. The first adaptation was the 2012 Dutch film Achtste Groepers Huilen Niet, 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 for Best Dutch Youth Film.[3][4][5] The second adaptation was the 2014 Norwegian Kule Kidz Gråter Ikke, which was also a remake of the 2012 Dutch film.[6]

There are currently plans to adapt the novel for American, Chinese, and Indian audiences.[7]

Bergens Tidende gave the book a positive rating.[8]

• Kule Kidz Gråter Ikke at Cappelen Damm