Salla Simukka shortlisted for the Topelius Prize 2013

Salla Simukka’s youth novels Without a Trace (Jäljellä, Tammi 2012) and Elsewhere (Toisaalla, Tammi 2012), have been nominated for the Topelius Prize by the Finnish Union of authors writing for children, youngsters and young adults.

The winners will be announced on 14 January 2013. The prize is awarded annually to the most deserving books of the previous year. Established in 1946, the Topelius Prize is Finland’s oldest prize in recognition of the best Finnish book for children and young people. These days, the prize is awarded for the best youth novel.

Book descriptions:

In the meritocratic dystopia of Without a Trace, when coming back home after running away, Emmi finds herself in a world from which other people have disappeared. This otherwise empty world is inhabited by a few young people, and friendships are formed quickly under these exceptional circumstances. The youngsters are forced to look at themselves and the values they have from a new perspective. In Elsewhere, Samuel is enlisted to a project with the goal of creating a virtual world called The Empty World. A few young people, still looking for their own place in life and hence judged to be in danger of becoming excluded from society, are recruited as guinea pigs for the virtual world. Talking about the things that really matter in life, the novels are multidimensional depictions of the mindset of young people and the brutality of society.

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About author


Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 53 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013. Simukka has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award  every year 2021–2024. Where It All Begins, published in 2022, is her first novel for adults and in 2024 she started a collaboration with JP Ahonen on a middle grade novel.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked as an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences.  She has also been working on the programme of Turku Book Fair in 2017–2020.

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Secret Staircase

Salla Simukka


2022, Literary Fiction

Where It All Begins

Salla Simukka


2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

In the Dark I Can Be Yours

Salla Simukka


2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Detained

Salla Simukka


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Turn off the Lights! Turn on the Lights!

Salla Simukka


2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Sisterland

Salla Simukka


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Black as Ebony

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Red as Blood

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As White as Snow

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Elsewhere

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Without a Trace

Salla Simukka