Winner of the 2021 Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize

This year’s winner has impressed the adjudication committee with a searingly relevant topic. Thanks to their fictional narrative, the winner gives the feeling of a documentary and skilfully builds up the image of a reality where no one is evil or good. The depiction of the people who the reader meets is never black and white or simplified. This year’s winner describes with a sensual eye for detail the existence that the protagonist encounters in refugee accommodation, which creates a strong sense of identification with the characters of the book and makes it impossible to turn a blind eye to a situation where everyone is a powerless prisoner and, to some extent, a loser. The story offers no explanations, no solutions, and no conclusions, but grows into a furious accusation that extends far beyond the covers of the book, against a system that shatters those made of glass. This year’s winner is Elin Persson for “De afghanska sönerna”.