Gyldendal Agency Children & Young Adults Spring List 2015
Gyldendal Agency Spring 2015 Children & Young Adults Rights Director Anne Cathrine Eng anne.cathrine.eng@gyldendal.no
Foreign Rights Manager Henrik Francke henrik.francke@gyldendal.no
GYLDENDAL AGENCY IS AN IN-HOUSE LITERARY AGENCY
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Lene Ask and Mari Kanstad Johnsen have produced a gorgeous picture book about having difficulties reading and writing, and about being angry as a tiger.
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With Pym Petterson’s Disastrous School Ball Heidi Linde has written the best book yet of this hugely popular series.
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The Island is a real page-turner and the second book of the dystopian Beta
series.
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Picture books Read Aloud Read Alone Middle Grade Young Adults
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children PICTURE BOOKS FROM 3 YEARS
A Fish for Luna Lisa Aisato Shortlisted for the Critics’ Prize 2014 Shortlisted for the Brage Prize 2014
“The book has the same magic as Aisato’s hero, Shaun Tan, that the world is both stranger and less scary than you think ... 30 years from now, many adults will remember this book and the feelings it provoked with great joy” Aftenposten
Luna can’t sleep. She opens her window and peeks out. There is something out there. Something is gliding slowly between the houses. Is it a balloon? A flying fish? Luna’s parents say it is ugly and that she can’t keep it, so Luna decides to help it back home. But it won’t say where home is. All it says is “Ay”, “Yue”, “Kuu”, “Maan”, “Tsuki”, “Karoo” and “Kamar”. And it says “Luna”. With great bravery Lisa Aisato explores life’s big issues and presents an original and fresh take on subjects as human as loneliness and hope. Always firmly anchored in a child perspective, with a child’s intensity of sensation. In this case personified in the shape of a lonesome fish. A Fish for Luna is a unique and beautiful picture book tale.
“Masterful and poetic ... Aisato confirms her position as one of the very best Norwegian picture book artists” Barnebokkritikk.no
About the author (b. 1981) is a writer, illustrator and artist. In 2012 she was shortlisted for the Critics’ Award for her picture book Odd is an Egg. Her book Bird is shortlisted for the newly instituted Book Bloggers’ Award.
Previously published My Two Great Grandmothers (2008) Odd is an Egg (2010) Bird (2013)
picture books from 3 years // Illustrated by Lisa Aisato N`jie Solberg Original title: en fisk til luna // 40 pages // Foreign Sales // DENMARK, ICELAND
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children PICTURE BOOKS FROM 5 YEARS
Block’s Album of Everything Åshild Kanstad Johnsen Block is back! An exciting and imaginative picture book to hunt for tiny details in. This time Block has decided to make an album of everything! And that means he has to take pictures of everything. He starts with his own house, and the Gran’s house, and Else’s. His album contains things he has collected and food he likes to eat. In addition to that he makes riddles, puzzles and recipes and presents clever advice and tricks. For instance, you can make a nice alphabet out of wooden blocks and rocks. In this book Block documents his private universe. It is an album to hunt for details in, while you gain insight into small tales from Block’s everyday life – everything from a visit to a school to when Gran found Block in the woods.
Block Makes a Commotion (2011) Foreign sales // France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey Block Makes a Museum (2010) Foreign sales // China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey
About the author Åshild Kanstad Johnsen (b. 1978) has a degree in visual communication and works as a freelance illustrator. In 2015 she will co-create a large exhibition based on the Block universe in the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art. picture books from 5 years // Illustrated by åshild kanstad johnsen Original title: kubbes album om alt // 48 pages
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children PICTURE BOOKS FROM 3 YEARS
The Lost Necklace Ingvill Solberg and Jill Moursund (ill.) In the meadow behind the house Selma finds a necklace. Her mother tells her that it once belonged to her maternal grandmother, whom Selma never had the chance of meeting. She decides that Selma is to have it on her 13th birthday. That is a long way off. Selma will be five in three days’ time. Can it be dangerous to use it just a little, even though it is not allowed? In the nursery on her birthday, for example? The Lost Necklace is a warm and intimate picture book about what it means to find something and then lose it again, and about doing something you know is not allowed.
About the author and the illustrator Ingvill Solberg (b.1974) has previously published three collections of poetry, but this is her first book for children. Jill Moursund (b. 1971) published her first book in 2000, and has since illustrated a large number of books written by herself as well as by others. PICTURE BOOKS // ORIGINAL TITLE: MISTESMYKKET // 36 PAGES
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children PICTURE BOOKS FROM 3 YEARS
Baker Brown Yokoland The third book in Yokoland’s original series about colours. Baker Brown is the town’s baker. He likes things to be big and brown. One day the baker decides to build a giant oven so that he can bake even bigger buns and loaves. But what happens when he bakes so many big things that he runs out of the colour brown? A stylistically advanced and absurd story about a search, illustrated and narrated by the prize-winning super team Yokoland. In 2013, Painter Green received a diploma at the annual graphic arts’ award event, Most beautiful books of the year.
Critical acclaim for Painter Green: “A delicate and surprising game of shapes and colours” Dagbladet
Captain Blue,2013
About the author Yokoland is an illustration and design studio that consists of Thomas Nordby, Aslak Gurholt Rønsen and Espen Friberg. They have attracted a considerable amount of attention in the field of illustration and
Painter Green, 2012
design, at home as well as abroad, and have made a habit of winning awards for most beautiful book of the year.
picture books from 3 years // Illustrated by Yokoland // Original title: Bakermester Brun // 48 pages Foreign Sales // france, japan
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children picture books FROM 5 YEARS
D Is for Tiger Lene Ask and Mari Kanstad Johnsen (ill.) It’s not easy to do your homework, and definitely not if the letters all lump together and refuse to say what they mean. It’s not nice to shut someone out. But the letters refuse to listen and I get so worn out, but mum keeps nagging. She has a tiger inside her that mustn’t get out. Lene Ask has won both prizes and praise from reviewers for her cartoon series, but this is the first time that she only writes. D Is for Tiger is a warm, wise and exciting story about having difficulties with reading and writing, and about being as angry as a tiger – deep, deep inside.
About the author and the illustrator Lene Ask (b. 1974) is a writer and illustrator. She makes books and comics for adults and children. Mari Kanstad Johnsen is one of Norway’s most interesting younger illustrators. After illustrating her first children’s book in 2011, Barbie Niels and the Gun Problem, she has published two books written and illustrated by herself. picture books from 5 years // Original title: D for tiger // 32 pages
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children READ aloud 6-9 YEARS
Brown Håkon Øvreås and Øyvind Torseter (ill.) Nordic Council Literature Prize 2014 Ministry of Culture’s Children’s Book Prize 2013 Trollkrittet Debut Prize 2013 Shortlisted for the Brage Prize 2013 As long as the sun is up, Rune is merely Rune, but come night he transforms himself into Brown - a totally fearless super hero. Armed to the hilt with brushes and brown paint he sneaks out of the house. Rune can hardly be blamed if Brown chooses to paint the big bullies’ bikes brown, can he? Brown is a book about friendship, courage and retaliation. It is also a book about missing one’s grandfather and just how wrong things can go when your super hero powers run out. Brown is the first book of a trilogy. The second book, Black, will be out autumn 2015.
“In this enourmously charming book we meet three little superheroes, each equipped with a bucket of paint … Torseter’s beautiful drawings show us what it’s like to feel small and out of place in a big world. They also evoke the warmth of the friendship between the children … Warmly recommended!” Aftenposten
About the author and the illustrator Håkon Øvreås (b. 1974) has published three books of poetry. Brown is his first children’s book. Øyvind torseter (b. 1972) is an award-winning writer and illustrator. He won the award for most Beautiful Book of the Year 2013.
READ ALOUD 6-9 YEARS // Original title: brune // 133 pages FOREIGN SALES // CHINA, DENMARK, FAROE ISLANDS, FRANCE, GERMANY, ICELAND, KOREA, NETHERLANDS, SWEDEN, US
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children READ ALONE 6-9 YEARS
Mia Becomes a Spy Anneli Klepp and Camilla Billett (ill.) Mia asks Tor if he would like to play. He replies that he has a visitor. Mia asks who it is. But then Tor turns bright red. And all he says is goodbye! In the seventh book of the Tor and Mia series, strong feelings are set in motion when Tor is paid a visit by Anne. To begin with, Mia thinks that Tor is strange. Then she feels frightened – Has she lost her best friend? Mia has to become a spy to find out.
About the author and the illustrator Anneli Klepp made her literary debut in 2006 with Lousy Complications and Warm Blueberry Pie. Since then she has written many books for children and adolescents. Camilla Billett is a graphic designer and illustrator. She has previously illustrated the six books in the Mia and Tor series. READ ALONE 6-9 YEARS  // ORIGINAL TITLE: MIA BLIR SPION 40 PAGES
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children READ ALONE 6-9 YEARS
Max Fun Parachute Giraffe Mari Kjetun and Johan Egerkrans (ill.) Crisis at the zoo! Giraffe has gone bananas. He wants a kid. That gives Max the idea to invite some giraffes from Africa. As always, irresistibly illustrated by Johan Egerkrans. This is the fourth story about Max and Giraffe. Fun, easy to read stories for children who have learned how to read. The two first books have been translated into Swedish.
About the author and the illustrator Mari Kjetun is mad about giraffes and collects everything giraffe-related that she comes across. She once got a slobbery kiss on the cheek from a mother giraffe. This is her sixth children’s book. Johan Egerkrans started drawing when he was two years old and has illustrated innumerable books, movies and games. READ ALONE 6-9 YEARS // Original title: Helt Max fallskjermsjiraff // 40 pages Foreign sales // Sweden, Denmark
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children READ ALONE 6-9 YEARS
Operation Bronze Statue Jørn Lier Horst and Hans Jørgen Sandnes (ill.) The over one hundred-year-old bronze statue of Hugo Rodin suddenly disappears from the park in Elvestad. Detective Agency no. 2 takes on the case, and together with their dog Otto they follow the only clue they have: a footprint made by a TI-X shoe. Who has taken Hugo, and why on earth would anyone want to steal an ancient bronze statue? The Detective Agency No 2 series has rapidly established itself as one of our best-selling series for young readers. Horst writes exciting and true-to-life crime stories from the small town of Elvestad. Hans Jørgen Sandnes fills out the stories with his colourful and detailed illustrations. Each book concludes with an epilogue where the reader is invited to test his or her detective skills!
About the author Jørn Lier Horst (b. 1970 in Bamble) has worked many years as head of investigations at the Vestfold Police Chamber. He published his first detective story in 2004. He received the 2011 Booksellers’ Award for his novel Closed for Winter. Its follow-up The Hunting Dogs won the Norwegian Riverton Prize, the Scandinavian crime prize The Glass Key and the Swedish Crime Writers’ Academy’s award for best translated novel. His first book in the Clue-series – suspense tales for older children – was shortlisted for ARK’s Children’s Book Award 2012. READ ALONE 6-9 YEARS // ORIGINAL TITLE: OPERASJON BRONSEPLASS // 112 PAGES FOREIGN SALES // iceland, POLAND
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children READ ALONE 6-9 YEARS
115,000 copies of Detective Agency no. 2 titles printed. Horst’s award-winning, bestselling adult crime novels are published in 15 languages. True-to-life cases and realistic procedures, written by a former policeman.
About the illustrator Hans Jørgen Sandnes (b. 1979) is a Norwegian illustrator and animator. He has made several cartoons based on Alf Prøysen’s children’s songs and an anniversary edition of his Circus Mikkelikski. Sandnes has also made new illustrations for several of Anne Cath. Vestly’s Granny and the Eight Kids books in addition to working with illustrations and animations in a number of other cultural projects for children.
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children READ ALONE 8 YEARS
Bjørn Ingvaldsen The Frogs Football Team 11: Snow Chaos Warm comedy, crazy plots and lots of football. It is January and bare, and then the snow comes, just when Frogs Football Team are ready for the winter cup that they organise themselves. They have to play indoors, but then it turns out that there’s a bit too much snow, and that Limbo is to help out ... and that is when complete chaos erupts.
The Frogs Football Team 12: The Pink Avenger How is it possible? Limbo is injured, the team needs a player and Rebecca, who has never been near a football, takes over. And then there are the Rowdy Girls – this time they go too far. The Frogs Football Team winter cup is in danger of turning into a scandal.
About the author Bjørn Ingvaldsen (b. 1962) made his literary debut in 1995, and published his first children’s book, Tall Shoes, in 1998. Since then he has written a number of books for children and adults. Several of his books have been translated into other languages.
READ ALONE FROM 8 YEARS // ILLUSTRATED BY ODD HENNING SKYLLINGSTAD // ORIGINAL TITLES: SNØRØR / DEN ROSA HEVNEREN // 118 / 122 PAGES Foreign Sales // Denmark
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children READ ALONE 8 YEARS
Svingen’s Dark World 12: The Prediction Arne Svingen Markus and Lasse are on holiday in Denmark when they decide to visit a very old fortune-teller. Only for fun, of course, for Markus and Lasse aren’t fooled by such stuff. Markus goes in first. The fortune-teller tells him a number of things that will take place. Finally, she looks into her magic ball and says: ‘Tomorrow you will take Lasse’s life.’ When he gets home, Markus discovers that she is right about some of her other predictions. This is simply too far out. Is he really going to take the life of his best friend? Svingen’s Dark World is a horror series for boys and girls from 8 years. With titles like The Halloween House, Evil Basement and Room 13, and illustrations to match, the series is sure to catch the interest of kids who otherwise wouldn’t be caught dead with a book!
About the author Arne Svingen is one of our most popular authors, and he has written a number of books. His production spans from simple tales for the youngest readers to children’s novels and novels for young adults. He has also written several novels for adults. In 2005 he received the Brage Prize for best children’s or young adults’ book of the year and his Ballad of a Broken Nose brought him The Ministry of Culture’s Literary Award. Arne Svingen’s books have been translated into ten languages. READ ALONE FROM 8 YEARS // ILLUSTRATED BY TORSTEIN NORDSTRAND // ORIGINAL TITLE: SPÅDOMMEN // 64 PAGES Foreign Sales // Denmark
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children MIDDLE GRADE
The World’s Worst Headmaster Marius Molaug og Kristoffer Kjølberg (ill.) Laugh-out-loud comedy, packed with crazy and hilarious illustrations. It is time for the annual swimming day at school, and this is Ruben’s final chance to earn his swimming achievement mark. There is only one problem: He can’t swim. In order to earn the mark you must be able to swim 25 meters and dive down to the bottom of the pool. Oh, and you also have to save the headmaster, believe it or not. So, in addition to risking his own life, Ruben stands a fair chance of drowning his headmaster too. And although it doesn’t sound altogether bad to rid the world of the worst headmaster ever once and for all, it would be a lot better if Ruben himself didn’t have to die in the attempt. In order to avoid that, he and his best friend Kent have to devise a plan. How to get out of swimming day – or preferably make sure the whole event is cancelled? Ruben and Kent make some hair-raising and wild attempts, but the clock is ticking, and swimming day is approaching swiftly!
About the author and the illustrator Marius Horn Molaug (b. 1976) and Kristoffer Kjølberg (b. 1980) are members of a creative community called Dongery, which works with graphic design, illustrations, cartoons and art.
MIDDLE GRADE // ORIGINAL TITLE: VERDENS VERSTE REKTOR 112 PAGES FOREIGN SALES // DENMARK, SWEDEN
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children MIDDLE GRADE
The World’s Worst Holiday Marius Molaug og Kristoffer Kjølberg (ill.) The summer holidays are approaching. Ruben and Kent are looking forward to them, because Kent’s father has won three tickets to somewhere warm in a competition. But the trip does not go as planned. Already on the first day, Kent’s father drifts out to sea, asleep on an air bed. The boys are taken care of by the children’s club mascots Ball and Beaver. Beneath their costumes two chain-smoking, poker-playing louts are concealed, and it doesn’t take long before Ruben and Kent are the ones waddling around in the costumes. Inside the costumes it’s at least 140°C. And it stinks. Of smoke, sweat and old farts. Now Ruben and Kent have to lead the water aerobics, dance on stage to the world’s worst song, wipe snotty noses and hug hundreds of shrieking kids and get ice cream all over their fur. How is this all going to end? Will Ruben and Kent survive, or will they die of heatstroke, the stench of farts and lack of oxygen? And will Kent’s father ever appear on the scene again?
MIDDLE GRADE // ORIGINAL TITLE: VERDENS VERSTE ferie // 112 PAGES
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children MIDDLE GRADE
The Teacher’s Son 3: Underwater Phobia Bjørn Ingvaldsen Viktor sees the final disaster approaching. His father’s twin brother, lurking on the outskirts, poses a threat to reveal their little double game. So Viktor has no other choice but to raise the stakes. And he has a brilliant starting point: He has just started taking scuba diving lessons, so there is a whole ocean full of treasures waiting for him out there. Of that he is certain. With no concern for his own life, Viktor dives into the chaos of problems his father has created, and an unexpected helper appears. Viktoria. But she isn’t just some anonymous zero, for her father is a red-dressed biker, and also the school’s headmaster. Her father also happens to be a rather ill tempered man … This is the third and final book about the teacher’s son. Warm comedy and great generosity, as we have come to expect from Ingvaldsen.
About the author Bjørn Ingvaldsen (b. 1962) has written a number of books for children and adults, among others the popular books about the mobile disaster Espen Herbert. Many of his books have been translated into other languages.
Read these, too: The Teacher’s Son, Book 1: The New Teacher The Teacher’s Son, Book 2: Full Speed Nowhere
CHILDREN’S BOOKS FROM 10 YEARS // Original title: sønnen til læreren 3: undervannsskrekk // 128 pages Foreign Sales // Denmark
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children MIDDLE GRADE
Vanessa Svartmo Andrea Bræin Hovig I have just had a revelation: I am at the very bottom. Of the planet. When it comes to happiness. I repeat: I am the unhappiest person on the planet Tellus. Dammit. Vanessa Svartmo lives with her mother in Oslo. She has just realised that she is at the very bottom of the planet when it comes to happiness. Her mother drinks and lies on the sofa, her father is conspicuously absent, and when it comes to friends things are not looking good either, to put it mildly. Grandiose self-awareness, in other words. But now Vanessa Svartmo is BLOODY WELL going to have a make-over! When she meets the rich man’s son Gabriel, a new era starts in Vanessa’s life. We follow her from isolation into a community that emerges in group meetings in the school’s batik and matted wool clad school counsellor Brit Jørstad Moen, also known as BJM. Vanessa Svartmo deals with identity and friendship and being an outsider, and about finding a community where you least expect it.
About the author Andrea Bræing Hovig (b. 1973) made her debut with the book Wild Wilma in 2008. Its follow-up, Viva la Wild Wilma was published in 2009. Hovig is also an actor and a singer. MIDDLE GRADE // ORIGINAL TITLE: VANESSA SVARTMO // 150 PAGES
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children MIDDLE GRADE
Heidi Linde Pym Petterson’s Disastrous School Ball Pym will soon have finished seventh grade at school, and she realises that she hates change. But there seems to be change everywhere in her life: outer space is expanding (constantly), her parents want to redecorate the living room (and have a democratic decision taken about the colour), and that autumn the spooky comprehensive school is waiting! And, to make things worse, the others in her class are suddenly obsessed about having sweethearts. And then, of course, there is the school ball at the end of seventh grade. Everyone is all geared up for the school ball except Pym. And in the midst of all this, Pym gets her menstruation... She really is having a hard time of it. And she gets completely confused when she starts to have strange feelings about Omar in her class, a person who has always been there, but who she suddenly starts to see with completely new eyes. This is the fourth book in the hugely popular series about the (in her own eyes) disaster-prone Pym Petterson. Her readers have great expectations, and they will not be disappointed this time either!
About the author Heidi Linde was born in Asker in 1973. she studied creative writing at Tele-mark university College and has a degree in script writing from lillehammer university College. she made her debut with the children’s book Mosquito Bite in 1998, and in 2002 she published her first novel for adult readers, Under the Table. she has written several novels for adults and children in addition to award winning radio plays. MIDDLE GRADE // ORIGINAL TITLE: PYM PETTERSONS MISLYKKA SKOLEBALL // 210 PAGES FOREIGN SALES // DENMARK, GERMANY, SWEDEN, estonia
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children MIDDLE GRADE
Pym Petterson’s Disastrous Family Pym is 11, and her family is neither fun nor interesting. It is just miserable! And now she is supposed to write a true story about them. How can she possibly do that? Even her name is a mistake, like most other things in her life. She is the youngest sister in a completely ordinary, boring family that consists of Mum, Dad and the twins, Sigmund and Sanna, who quarrel all the time. Pym is interested in space, she does things her own way and questions almost everything. And she considers her life a total disaster.
Pym Petterson’s Disastrous School Trip Pym and the others were really looking forward to camping outdoors in the woods, but when their teacher, Hilde, gets hit by a car and breaks her leg, one of the school’s scariest teachers, George «The Jaw» Jawson, has to substitute for her. Instead of looking forward to the trip, Pym starts dreading it seriously.
Pym Petterson’s Disastrous Pen Pal Pym’s school class is hosting a class from a school in Sweden. To prepare, the pupils have been exchanging letters. Pym’s pen pal is a girl who is obsessed with horses. And because Pym wishes to be nice, she has pretended that she, too, is a passionate horse lover. Truth be told, they terrify her. But the girl never shows up, and Pym has to partner up with Alex, an aloof, silent boy who only recently joined the other class. 21
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children MIDDLE GRADE
Making a Run for It Arne Svingen Eirik is sitting in a train travelling south in Europe with his father. He doesn’t know where they are heading. He doesn’t know what they are going to do. The only thing he knows is that suddenly his life has been turned upside-down. Making a Run for It is a book about fathers and sons, and about a desperate attempt to make a new start. It is about new friendships and reserve families, with a depression in the floor and Frankenstein, and about playing football in a wheelchair. But most of all it has to do with a father who only wishes his son well, but who doesn’t quite manage it. ‘You realise everything’s going to be different now, don’t you?’ dad says, looking at me. I nod. ‘It’s just us two now, Johnny,’ dad continues, letting an index finger wave between us. I don’t like dad calling me Johnny. My name’s Eirik. I can prove that from the passport that I haven’t got with me.
About the author Arne Svingen (b. 1967) is one of our most popular writers. His production spans from easy reads to novels for children and adolescents. He has also written several novels for adults.
Previously published Visit arnesvingen.no
MIDDLE GRADE // ORIGINAL TITLE: MED BEINA PÅ NAKKEN // 157 PAGES
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YOUNG ADULTS contemporary stAND-ALONE
Primitive Possums Arne Svingen An original and hysterically funny novel for young adults, from one of our best children’s book authors. Dick has decided to set an unbreakable record: He is going to be the most negative person ever. It’s a revolutionary idea. It’s brilliant. And it is incredibly hard to follow through. Primitive Possums is a book about great ideas, meetings that won’t take place and a party that goes down in history. You’ll split your sides laughing, perhaps shed a tear or two and maybe even grow a little wiser. Meet Dick, Jønna and Vilde – and experience a few days that almost change the course of humanity.
“The funniest YA book this autumn. Arne Svingen serves us a bonkers mix of blinding love, unshakeable friendship, home-alone crises and skinnydipping” Folkepressen.no
“When I read it the other day, I caught my self laughing loudly, almost gasping ... hysterically funny” NRK
YOUNG ADULTS // ORIGINAL TITLE: PRIMITIVE PUNGDYR // 294 PAGES FOREIGN SALES // DENMARK
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YOUNG ADULTS contemporary stAND-ALONE
Rip Entry Neha Naveen Chi and Pari are two Indian-Norwegian sisters who are 17 years old. They are twins, and have always been close. But after Chi’s one-year course of study in London, something between them has changed. Afraid of losing each other, they keep their secrets to themselves. But can they manage to solve their problems on their own? Or will what they hide drive them even further apart from each other? A debut novel about the relationship between sisters, change and the strength to see oneself as one is.
About the author Neha Naveen (b. 1986) is from Oslo. Rip Entry is her first book.
YOUNG ADULTS // ORIGINAL TITLE: STUPEKONTROLL // 191 PAGES
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YOUNG ADULTS contemporary stAND-ALONE
Minnesota and the Dust Kjartan Hjulstad Daniel has always followed in the footsteps of his elder brother, Moses. He tries to walk like him, stand like him and talk like him. The brothers grow up on an Indian reservation, in a world that does not offer them much hope for the future. There are drugs, alcoholism, family violence and racism in the midst of teenage crushes and family and sibling love. And there is also Canahishta, the girl with the lovely smile. We follow Daniel and his despair as Moses becomes involved with the drug-dealing Crowhound gang, led by the brutal Oiowan. Slowly but surely, this starts off a process that forces Daniel to take some fateful decisions – and to find the courage hidden within himself. Kjartan Hjulstad makes his debut with a gripping, brutally realistic book for young adults.
About the author Kjartan Hjulstad (b. 1973) is a writer, musician and school teacher. Minnesota and the Dust is his first book.
YOUNG ADULTS // ORIGINAL TITLE: MINNESOTA OG STĂ˜VET // 200 PAGES
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YOUNG ADULTS sci-fi/dystopia
Aaron’s Machine Sverre Knudsen Winner of the Riksmål Prize 2011 Shortlisted for the Brage Award 2011
“Everything comes perfectly together in Sverre Knudsen’s retro-futuristic young adult novel … You rarely come across a YA novel which is both well written, has a clever moral, and in addition a drive which makes it impossible to put down ... At its heart there is a massive critique of market forces and the scrupulousness of capitalism … has the potential of becoming an international bestseller.”
Aaron believes that it is his father’s new job that leads to his family getting a dream apartment in Libercasa, but soon Aaron finds himself at the centre of a sinister drama. For some reason, a powerful inventor who is working on a machine that can make people 100% good, needs him. At the same time, Aaron is drawn towards a secret underworld in the gigantic building, where he uncovers layer upon layer of lies and conspiracies. And as Aaron gradually tries to get an overview of who and what he can rely on, he discovers that the machine also has a sinister shadow side to it.
Dagbladet
About the author Sverre Knudsen (b. 1955) is a writer and musician from Oslo. He has written numerous books for children, young adults and adults.
YOUNG ADULTS/DYSTOPIAN // ORIGINAL TITLE: AARONS MASKIN // 500 PAGES
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YOUNG ADULTS sci-fi/dystopia
Aaron’s Revenge Sverre Knudsen Aaron has to ignore civil war, poverty and old friends for as long as his mother is lying in a coma. But when his father gets killed, and is held responsible for a terrorist bomb that killed many innocent people, Aaron is forced to react. So, during the coldest winter in living memory, and with the aid of two possible girlfriends, a dumb boxer, a gang of young criminals and a couple of crazy, brilliant old-age pensioners, Aaron sets out on a wild search for justice. Or revenge. A powerful, gripping sequel to Aaron’s machine. A story that won’t let you go. Aaron’s Machine and Aaron’s Revenge are the two first books of a planned trilogy about Aaron and a group of young people in a merciless society some time in the near future. Pacey, suspenseful and thought-provoking.
YOUNG ADULTS/DYSTOPIAN // ORIGINAL TITLE: AARONS HEVN // 500 PAGES
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YOUNG ADULTS sci-fi/dystopia
The Escape – Beta 1 Amund Hestsveen and Torborg Igland Volume 1 of an intense and action-packed trilogy about Scandinavia sixty years from now. ”Don’t give up. I’m coming for all of you.”
“A Norwegian Hunger Games” Dagbladet
A message is fastened to the arrow that thwacks into the wall behind Jor. Someone is coming for her. But how? Skandia has a stranglehold on everyone. Does anyone dare to cross the generals? And where is Kodak – has Livni turned him in? In an alternative version of our world, in the decades following a military coup, the Nordic nations’ identities have been erased, and the totalitarian state Skandia has evolved. Pollution disasters have made nature toxic, and the sea is out of bounds. Art, literature and music are banned. Very few have a concept of family life, most people grow up in dorms, in fierce competition to be chosen for officer training and a privileged life. Just before the dreaded Selection is about to take place, fifteen year old Kodak, Livni and Jor unearth a dreadful secret. Something has to happen. And they understand what they have to do …
About the authors Amund Hestsveen (b. 1971) lives in Kristiansand. Torborg Igland (b. 1967) lives in Grimstad. They have university degrees in philology and social sciences, respectively. Both have worked as newspaper journalists for fifteen years and are now freelancers. YOUNG ADULTS/DYSTOPIAN // Original title: Flukten // 488 pages
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YOUNG ADULTS sci-fi/dystopia
The Island - Beta 2 Amund Hestsveen and Torborg Igland What if someone really was hunting for you? What if the Internation had been replaced by a surveillance network? What if you didn’t know where you came from, who your parents were, or if you had any? Kodak and Jor have escaped from the dorm and Skandia, an ice-cold dictatorship where art, literature and music are forbidden. Along with 24 other 15-year-olds they have fled to an uninhabited island, where there are still remains of the old civilisation. At least if the map the archer left behind is correct. Back in Skandia, Livni lies injured in the infirmary. She has to act the role of her life. No one must know what actually happened. No one must know what she actually did, or who she is helping. Because they can’t give up now, can they? The second book of the Beta series – an intense trilogy about the Far North 60 years from now.
YOUNG ADULTS/DYSTOPIAN // ORIGINAL TITLE: ØYA // 512 PAGES
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YOUNG ADULTS graphic novel
The Urban Legend Season 1: A True Super Hero Is Born Josef Tzegai Yohannes Malcolm T. Madiba is a 29 year old high school teacher in the fictive city «Capital City» (also known as City of God). When a close friend is robbed and Malcolm’s cousin is murdered, Malcolm swears an oath to give all criminals what they deserve. Disguised as The Urban Legend, Malcolm makes use of all his martial arts skills. The Urban Legend Season 1 – A True Super Hero Is Born contains the first eight Urban Legend stories plus a great deal of previously unpublished material about the author, new Urban Legend stories and other exciting background facts. The Urban Legend is published as a comic strip in USA Today.
About the author Josef Tzegai Yohannes was born in Denmark, but his family stems from Erittrea. He moved to Norway when he was nine years old and grew up at Lindeberg in Oslo. Yohannes has studied Political Science and Human Rights, he has worked as a teacher, as a volunteer for The Red Cross and as an activity leader for the childcare services. Yohannes has recently been appointed Norwegian ambassador for The Nelson Mandela Foundation. YOUNG ADULTS/GRAPHIC NOVEL // ILLUSTRATED BY NEW TASTY // ORIGINAL TITLE: URBAN LEGEND - SESONG 1 // 256 PAGES
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YOUNG ADULTS graphic novel
The Bailiff Øystein Runde and Knut André Solberg (ill.) Norway lies at the centre of the world. Leif Eriksson discovered a land west of Greenland, full of Apaches and Mohicans, and called it Leiferica. From east and south come djinns, gods with elephant heads, stone statues from the Easter Islands and living totem poles. Gods, giants, trolls and dwarfs from all over the world walk the streets of Christiania (Oslo). A single institution keeps order over this enormous societal machine: the Bailiffs. And no one is more eager in carrying out his duty than Bailiff no. 17, Mikael Braut. No one can prevent Bailiff no. 17 from following all the regulations in the manual of the Bailiff’s Office. Not even those who invented the regulations.
About the author Øystein Runde (b. 1979) can’t make up his mind. He has drawn and co-authored the cult comic series Margarin, been a gonzo reporter, made a muscular viking series and written two graphic novels about the “Four Great Ones” of Norwegian literature, Ibsen, Kielland, Bjørnson and Lie, and their secret career as zombieand troll fighting special agents. His previous book was an autobiographical travelogue. YOUNG ADULTS/GRAPHIC NOVEL // ORIGINAL TITLE: FUTEN // 144 PAGES
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