More Swedish Books for Young Readers 1
Elin Lindell (b. 1981) The World’s Worst Sister,
children’s fiction, 174 p., 2023, Alfabeta Dani knows she would be the best sister in the world. If only Mum could give her a baby brother or sister. A tiny, cute sibling – that’s not too much to ask, is it? One day Dani meets Elton. He is the spitting image of Dani and probably a donor baby too, just like her. Could Dani have found a real sibling? That Jonny Jonsson Johnson (The series about Jonny, 3 volumes), children’s fiction, 174 p., 2018, Alfabeta If your name is Jonny Jonsson Johnsson, there are two things you know for sure. One: Your lame parents couldn’t even agree on a last name. Two: People whose first names end in “y” always wind up in prison. A warm, funny, fast-paced series rife with awkward situations.situations and warmth in the vein of Jeff Kinney and Liz Pichon. Lost: Cat, Friend, Pants (The series about Jördis, 4 volumes), children’s fiction, 124 p., 2014, Alfabeta Jördis is best in her class at football and has a really nice best friend, a cute cat, parents who only embarrass her once in a while, and a younger brother who is quite sweet. But Jördis sometimes gets tangled up in lies and embarrassing situations, even if her intentions are always good. More Swedish Books for Young Readers Author and illustrator Elin Lindell uses the everyday as an ingenious springboard for stories about children and teens that take place in an environment that is markedly realistic and commonplace, yet never dull or uneventful. The title of her book That Jonny Jonsson Johnsson is a perfect example. Jonsson is the most common last name you can have in Sweden, but it turns absurd when your mother’s last name is Jonsson, your father’s is Johnson, and you get saddled with both. In Sweden, as well, first names that ends in “y” are associated with children who act up or pull pranks, which gives the reader an exciting glimpse into the main character’s personality. Lindell’s series about the boy with the somewhat peculiar name Jonny Jonsson Johnsson has turned out to become a great success among readers in the age group 9-12. In Come on, Jonny! (2020) Lindell masterfully demonstrates her literary skills. Jonny, now 12, describes his daily life with hyperbole and wit. Both books have received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Critics have particularly praised Lindell’s genuinely funny storytelling and the universal and important underlying themes. When Jonny turns 12, everything changes. His best friend is suddenly more interested in girls than in being friends. His mum gets a new boyfriend. And maybe Jonny himself should get together with Naimal? The books are written for ages 9–12 (Jonny’s age). Lindell is also the author of the Jördis series, aimed at readers a little too young for Jonny. The Jördis stories also rely on humour as well as on the portrayals of Jördis’ relationships with the people closest to her. Elin Lindell eschews idylls and is free-spoken while remaining within the experiential world of her young readers – two qualities that will make her books relevant and unique for years to come. Martin Hellström Rights: Alfabeta Rights sold: Norwegian, Danish, German 22 Foto: Lars-Erik Kohrs