Reykjavík City Library’s 2014 children’s book prize was awarded to Gunnar Helgason for his novel Rangstæður í Reykjavík, as announced yesterday.
After Gunnar’s son lost interest in reading books when he was 11 years old, Gunnar decided to sit down and write a book about boys and football, ruv.is reports.
Þorbjörg Karlsdóttir at Reykjavík City Library stated that there are not enough books in Icelandic that appeal especially to Icelandic children.
PISA studies have repeatedly shown that reading skills among boys are underdeveloped. Books like Rangstæður í Reykjavík might reawaken their interest in reading, she concluded.
