Amiraali
(Admiral) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
17-year-old Niilo has lived his whole life in a small town with his grandparents. Niilo likes writing poems and skateboarding. He is working in a health center for the summer. Together with his friends Niilo objects to construction plans in an area where endangered butterflies live. During the summer Niilo also falls in love and ponders his gender identity – realising that no one else can define what he should be like.
Edited by: Lastenkirjainstituutti
Comment:
In the novel, Niilo feels that the traditional model for a man is too narrow, and is supported by his best friends and co-workers in exploring his gender identity. When one of his friends puts some make up on Niilo and gives him a skirt to try on, he feels that he has found something he enjoys. However, Niilo’s grandparents don’t understand the behaviour of exploring with gender expression. In addition to gender identity, the novel addresses themes of falling in love, dating, and having sex for the first time.