Dobbiamo essere leoni
(We must be lions) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
In Malin’s class, a new classmate arrives: Leona. Malin has wished for a best friend for a long time, and so she decides to befriend Leona. The friendship between the two girls seems perfect, until Malin and the other classmates discover the secret that Leona has been hiding. Malin will then have to decide what to do: whether to stay in the shadows or show the courage of a lion.
Edited by: Centro MeTRa - Università di Bologna (Italy)
Comment:
In the novel, there are two main stories of lion-like courage that are intertwined in the novel: the coming-of-age of Malin, who, after many hesitations, finally breaks out of the anonymity of the group and affirms her own personality, and that of Leona, who, after a traumatic experience, finally manages to strenghten her own identity. Line Baugsto succeeds in naturally depicting the relationships and relationships among preadolescents who are rooted in their own space and time (Norway) but who share deep traits, fears and restlessness with their peers from every place and time.