New Swedish Books, autumn 2019 1
25 Autumn 2019 Anette Eggert (text) b. 1975 Sofia
Falkenhem (ill.) b. 1982 The Final Kick Chapter book, easy-to-read, 6–9 years, 52 p. Publisher Opal Bokförlag www.opal.se Rights Opal Melina Nordstrand melina@opal.se Anette Eggert Works Tisteltankar, YA novel, 2017 Kan vi inte bara låtsas som om ingenting har hänt, YA novel, 2011 Sofia Falkenhem Works Serien om Kalle Skavank 2007– 2012, chapter books Stella skaffar ett syskon, chapter book, 2013 The Final Kick When looking for books that are easy to read popular subjects are rewarding as they help the process of decoding along. That is why there are so many books about horses and football. Anette Eggert’s The Final Kick gets its edge from the world of sports – the winning and the losing and the challenge of the game. Yet, Eggert’s book differs favourably from the genre. On the one hand she manages to maintain the tension when describing football games, results and how the central character performs. Not always easy when it comes to such a well-worn narrative. On the other hand she includes a different kind of tension beyond the win or lose storyline. This other narrative conflict revolves around Adam and his anger issues. “If you get that angry again, you have to stop playing football”, says his mum. Adam loves football, which makes the following games doubly challenging to him – not just because of the opposing teams but also because of his own impulsive emotions. To keep one’s anger and frustration in check is difficult, even for adult sportsmen and women. Here the subject is explored for children. What transpires is that it’s not the result of the game that’s important but the relationships between the players. And equally important is Adam’s relationship with his mother. She’s the one who sets him the real challenge, because she loves him, cares for him and demands that he acts. Photo: Tine Guth Linse Photo: Per A.J. Andersson