"Wild" by Lisen Adbåge
A small wild horse that has lost its herd is caught and ends up at a riding school. There is warmth – but not freedom. With her usual stubborn humor, Adbåge addresses freedom-seeking children and gives strength to those who try to handle a world full of musts.
"Across the Sea" by Christina Wahldén
An emigrant's tale for children that follows Stina and her little brother Oskar on a trying journey towards the unknown. At the end of the 19th century, they lose their mother and travel to America – but when they arrive, no one meets them.
"Zlata's World" by Josefin Michanek
Josefin Michanek works as a psychologist at Save the Children, and writes a story here about children on the run. Zlata flees the war in Ukraine, where both her favorite toys and the cat Storm were left behind. But life in Sweden is not always easy.
"There is No Paradise" by Oskar Kroon
Oskar Kroon, who has been awarded the August Prize twice, takes on first love. During the summer, Alex is going to live with his grandfather, who hates the whole world after his wife passed away. Then Nina shows up and changes Alex's life in small – yet big – ways.
"The Bear Spring" by Kristina Sigunsdotter
August Prize-winning Kristina Sigunsdotter is back with more nuanced girl portraits. Here, Hedda has moved to a foster home and started a new school, where she meets the outsider Sire, with electric hair. When Sire touches Hedda, it burns in her birthmark on her back. About a contact that is magical in many ways.
“Stellan and the King” by Helena Hedlund and Olga Nycander
Helena Hedlund writes about existential ponderings, and here it's about courage. You may need that when you start school, or have to dare to say no to a bossy friend.
"Look Up" by Azul Lopez
This Mexican author and illustrator writes about the importance of being curious. A man always looks up at the sky – while everyone else is too busy looking down at their feet. One day, he discovers a hole where millions of birds fly up.
"Kamau & Zuzu Find a Way" by Aracelis Girmay and Diana Ejaita
One day, Kamau and his grandmother Zuzu suddenly wake up on the moon. Together, they try to find a way to create a new life on an inhospitable place – a parallel to life in the African diaspora.
"The Cage" by Aron Landahl and Mark Wallenius
Biggan has built a cage behind the house, where a fox sits. The children wonder about how it is when others want to control you, whether you should be tamed or be free.
Elin Swedenmark/TT
Facts: More to Read
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"Invisible" by Annica Hedin and Karin Cyrén. A picture book about all that feels but is not seen, like the tickle in the stomach.
"I Cut Myself in the Heart" by Minna Lindeberg. With dark humor about what it's like to lose loved ones.
“The Children from Frostmoplan” by Mårten Sandén. A reinterpretation of the classic "The Children from Frostmofjället" – now in an urban setting.
