\New Swedish Books, spring 2019 1
New w S edish Books 32 Slangbellan Slangbellan is
awarded by The Swedish Writer’s Union for the best children's or Young Adult debut of the year. In 2018 the prize was given to Lisa Lundmark for her book Shark-Jenny (Natur & Kultur). The story depicts “the great challenge in life – to stand up for who you are – even if that person doesn’t occupy the largest space or speaks loudly in class like everybody else does”. The August Prize Y A This year’s best book for children or young adults was Emma Adbåge’s The Hole Behind the Gym (Rabén & Sjögren), which with its “hilarious humour and fantastic imagery demonstrates how the imagination will grow precisely in the unmonitored and the wild”. Sveriges Radios litteraturpris Y A Barnradions (the Children’s Radio) literary prize 2018 was awarded to Jenny Jägerfeld for her depiction in the book Comedy Queen (Rabén & Sjögren) of life at its toughest moments. The jury consisted of five children between the ages of 9 and 12 and they chose Comedy Queen because “it makes the reader understand how important it is to talk to each other when things get really tough”. “ Its hilarious humour and fantastic imagery demonstrates how the imagination will grow precisely in the unmonitored and the wild.” The August Prize jury about Emma Adbåge's The Hole Behind the Gym. The Nordic Council Children and Young People Literature Prize The nominated books from Sweden were: The Bird Inside me Flies Wherever it Likes by Sara Lundgren (Mirando Bok) and Norra Latin by Sara Bergmark (Rabén & Sjögren). Norra Latin depicts how “two teenage girls are drawn into a chain of events where lust for power, ancient forces and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream play central roles”. Photo: Sara Mac Key Photo: Richard Gustafsson Photo: Hugo Thamberg Photo: Henric Lindsten