A Beautiful Day to Die

Veera Salmi

Original title: Kaunis ilma kuolla

Author: Veera Salmi

Published: 2020

Publisher: Otava

Genre: Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Pages: 221

Reading material:

English sample & synopsis

Isra has decided to die. But before that she needs to complete a rescue mission! Embark on a road trip with Isra, her friend Leo, 900 euros and a stolen sky-blue Hyundai.

Leo and Isra are not the most popular kids of their high school. They don’t have high expectations, and nobody expects much of them. So why not take a break from school – and a break from life, and try to do something meaningful before it’s all too late?

Funny, realistic and tragic story of teenagers who don’t know what they want, and are tired of trying to figure it out on their own.

Praise:

"Veera Salmi depicts youth bravely, without shying away from dark waters, but still describes everything through joy and positiveness – much like the American YA author John Green." – Lastenkirjahylly blog

"The road trip-inspired book realistically and credibly describes the lives of young people in situations from which there seems to be no way out. The novel challenges us to think about the significance of starting points for life and its direction. At the same time, it tells a resounding story about the difficulty of making choices, getting to know yourself, and taking responsibility.” - Topelius Prize Jury

A Beautiful Day to Die: Isra, who has a Moroccan background, and Leo, who is thrown from one surrogate family to another, feel deadlocked. They have one goal in their life: to see the pandas of Ähtäri and die. The road trip-inspired book realistically and credibly describes the lives of young people in situations from which there seems to be no way out. The novel challenges us to think about the significance of starting points for life and its direction. At the same time, it tells a resounding story about the difficulty of making choices, getting to know yourself, and taking responsibility.

– Topelius award jury

Download reading materials

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)

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About author

Veera Salmi

Veera Salmi is a Helsinki-based writer, who has worked over 15 years as a kindergarten teacher. The real starting point for her career as a writer was given by the children in the kindergarten, who said they wanted to hear stories of children who live in the city. So she started writing such stories. Now Veera Salmi is a bestselling author of over 20 books.

Bibliography


2023, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Veera Salmi

Aina Ponoi


2023, Picture Books (0-3 Years), Chapter Books (3-6 Years)

Veera Salmi

The Duck Who Was Afraid of Eagles


2022, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Veera Salmi

The Book of Oboi


2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Veera Salmi

A Beautiful Day to Die