New Swedish Books, spring 2017 1
New Swedish Books 52 If I Can Stay How is it to l
ive year after year in a country where you’re not really allowed to live? And how does it feel to be the best friend with a right to live here that’s taken for granted and who has everything? Do you need to feel guilty because your life is good? Kajsa Gordan’s new book is a touching and straightforward story about society today and friendship. Ilona and Stella are twelve years old and best friends. They’ve known each other since they started in the same class almost seven years ago. But Ilona goes to school in secret. Her and her family fled their home country for Sweden when it became too dangerous for them to stay there. They live hidden in a monastery together with other families waiting for their right of asylum, and no one knows whether they will be allowed to stay. If I Can Stay is a story told through a dual perspective, and the technique is effective. The contrasts between Ilona’s and Stella’s lives become crystal clear, and the situation they’re in is depicted realistically – with its complexity and repeated injustices. Kajsa Gordan (b. 1958) If I Can Stay Publisher Rabén & Sjögren info@rabensjogren.se www.rabensjogren.se Rights Koja agency carin.bacho@kojaagency.com Selected Works Kjelle i fjällen illustrated by Mia Maria Güettler (Berghs 2016) Picture book Sam blir arg illustrated by Nino Keller (Hegas 2016) Chapter book Sam och Disa illustrated by Nino Keller (Hegas 2016) Chapter book Photo: Viktor Gårdsäter