This year’s Icelandic Children’s Book Award was granted to Gudmundur Brynjólfsson last week, for the teenage novel Thvílík vika (“What a Week”), which is Brynjólfsson’s first book in full length.
Thvílík vika is described in a press release as a powerful contemporary teenage novel, which takes place during one week in June. Three friends have graduated from elementary school and are planning to celebrate. But many things can change in one week…
Brynjólfsson has studied literature and theater sciences and has also completed his education as deacon. He has been awarded on numerous occasions for both his short stories and plays. A play which he co-wrote is currently being staged in Grindavík.
The Icelandic Children’s Book Award was first granted in 1986 and many of Iceland’s most beloved authors have earned the prize, including Herdís Egilsdóttir, Idunn Steinsdóttir, Thorgrímur Thráinsson, Brynhildur Thórarinsdóttir and Fridrik Erlingsson.
The prize is ISK 400,000 (USD 3,200, EUR 2,000). Two students from Árbaejarskóli were on the jury in addition to adult literary experts. Thvílík vika has been published by Vaka-Helgafell.
Click here to read about last year’s winner.
