”The Tree Under the Ground” by Kristina Sigunsdotter and Jenny Lucander
August Prize-winning Kristina Sigunsdotter takes on the poet Karin Boye's life and poetry, in this poetic narrative. It follows how Karin plays in the park and finds a strange tree, which turns out to be a portal to the underworld.
”Misjka” by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman
Anoush Elman fled with her family from the Taliban in Afghanistan. This book is based on her experience of coming to a new country – where a dwarf rabbit helps her process the trauma. But one day the rabbit is gone.
”Dream Wind” by Lotta Geffenblad
Many children are familiar with ”Astors stones”, but here Geffenblad writes about Trille and Trind who drift out into the night on a warm wind. The idea is that the magical world will also help children relax before night.
”My Dead” by Alex Khourie
He was nominated for several awards for ”Brother” and ”Little Brother”. Now comes the standalone social realist sequel ”My Dead”, where small actions have major consequences for two boys, who are drawn into crime and violence.
”The Paddling Water's Forest” by Ylva Karlsson and Katarina Strömgård
Everything happens because Enel accidentally gets off the bus too early, in this fairy tale that mixes realism and fantasy, where it's about the adventure in the dark forest and the problems Enel has with her mom. The first book in a new series.
”The Bear Boy” by Augustin Erba
After Erba's suspense series in a multiverse, he now draws inspiration from thousand-year-old events. Eleven-year-old Rashid follows his dad from Baghdad on a journey of discovery to the land of the Vikings, where he is taken captive. But the friendship with a bear surprises.
”Volcano” by Zakiya Ajmi
Danish book that was nominated for the Nordic Council's prize in 2021 and was praised for its originality. It's about Anna who is always moving, who has to take care of her mom and accidentally gets together with her friend's boyfriend. About restlessness, love, and the difficulty of feeling at home.
”The Beach Witch” by Åsa Avdic
Åsa Avdic offers eerie southern gothic in a story about two boys who disappear. It's rumored that they were taken by the Beach Witch, but Tora does her own investigation about her big brother Ville and his friend Selim.
”The Foreign Chameleon” by Marta Söderberg
After the spring debate about adoptions, we get to read about Miriam, an eleven-year-old girl who thought her mom abandoned her. When she finds out that she was instead stolen as a child, her entire existence is put into motion.
Elin Swedenmark/TT
Facts: Also read
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"Dumpling Palace" by X. Fuang. Original story that indulges in Asian food culture.
"At Grandma and Grandma's" by Sophie Hofmann. About trans experience in an older generation, seen from a grandchild's perspective.
"The Way Home" by Christina Wahldén. Second, standalone part in the historical romance series Amerikaresan, about children who emigrated to the USA in the 19th century.
"To Buy a Spoon" by Nils Andersson and Erik Svetoft. Experts on tongue-twisting rhymes and clever images, all with playful humor.
