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Vampires and Other Stuff (2020)
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Vampires and Other Stuff (2020)

Rut Thorlacius Gudnadottir
Winner — The Icelandic Children's Book Prize 2020
Winner — The Icelandic Booksellers' Prize 2020
2020
Children's Books
13+ years

Vampires and Other Stuff (2020)

When a strange illness (no, definitely not COVID-19) begins to break out at school, friends Milla, Rakel, and Lilja decide to take action. They can’t ask adults for help, that’s pointless, and who would believe three thirteen-year-old girls who claim their math teacher is a vampire? Unforeseen criminal offences, estrangements, and not-so-intelligent grammar rules get in the way of the girls trying to determine whether something supernatural is at work. • The Icelandic Children‘s Book Prize 2020 • The Icelandic Booksellers‘ Prize 2020 (2nd place) • Nominated for The Icelandic Women‘s Literature Prize 2020 • Nominated for The Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize 2020

Reviews

The characterisation is spot on ... even though teen problems take up a large part of the plot, they do not get in the way of the suspense. Humour and joy of narration define the story and the search for the vampire keeps the reader engaged to the very end.

JURY OF THE REYKJAVIK CHILDREN'S LITERATURE PRIZE

...constantly surprising readers and keeps them on their toes. ... The story is actually a kind of coming-of-age story for all girls who have made it over the hurdles of their teenage years, that seem so insurmountable, through a thrilling chain of events with a fantasy slant. ... the writer here regularly manages to pull off some convincing characterization... fully realized and considered characters and their interior lives are very well written. ... The book is full of humor but also engages a number of emotions and at times becomes quite intense. ... wildly thrilling and intense, and also plenty of happy moments ...

RAGNHILDUR THRASTARDOTTIR, MORGUNBLADID DAILY

... highly entertaining and funny writing that also tackles the serious side of life ... the disparate group of girlfriends face the music that they are growing up and apart, developing opinions and learning about the likes of friendship, sexuality and varying views on life. ... An entertaining and funny book that takes the discussion beyond vampires and hijinks.

BRYNHILDUR BJORNSDOTTIR, FRETTABLADID DAILY

Vampires and Other Stuff is a funny and entertaining read which tackles a number of issues that come along with being a teenage girl. This book took me by surprise.

KATRIN LILJA, LESTRARKLEFINN

The story ends with a reckoning across the board, not just for the vampire, who is not all she seems, but also for the issues that the main characters have been struggling with. The final showdown with the vampires binds them together and subsequently they find it easier to talk to each other with sincerity and integrity. In addition, they've learned to be their true to themselves and as a result put themselves a better path into the future.

MARIA BJARKADOTTIR, BOKMENNTIR.IS

Awards

Won

  • The Icelandic Children's Book Prize 2020
  • The Icelandic Booksellers' Prize 20202nd place

Nominated

  • The Icelandic Women's Literature Prize 2020
  • The Reykjavik Children's Literature Prize 2020

Rights Sold

Translation rights sold

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