Sisterland wins the LukuVarkaus award

Salla Simukka’s Sisterland has received the ’Lasten LukuVarkaus’ award, a literary prize given annually to the best Finnish children’s book for readers up to twelve years old and published in the previous year. The winner was selected by a jury of six elementary school pupils.

The kids’ jury appreciated especially the balanced combination of fantasy and realism, and the novel’s characters. In addition, the jury stated that there’s “not a single boring bit” in the book.

Sisterland has been sold to ten territories to date, the latest two being China and the Arab World.

Earlier this year Salla Simukka received also the Kaarina Helakisa award, given annually to an outstanding children’s book author or illustrator. “Salla Simukka has made Finnish YA literature world famous, shattered glass ceilings and always stood up for minorities. She is inspiring, visible and audible. She’s a prime example of nothing being impossible,” said the jury.

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
ARAB WORLD, Arab Scientific Publishers
BELGIUM, Clavis
CHINA, Hunan Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FRANCE, Hachette Livre
JAPAN, Nishimura
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Clavis
UNITED STATES, Random House

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