BZU professor Sonia Nimer nominated for Astrid Lindgren Award for children’s literature

One of Palestine’s leading children’s literature authors, Sonia Nimer, who is also an associate professor of philosophy and cultural studies at Birzeit University, is among the 246 nominees for the world’s largest literature prize: the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2019. The candidates were presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 11 by ALMA Jury Chair Boel Westin.

The Swedish government founded the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2002 to reward one or several laureates annually regardless of language and nationality. The purpose of the award is to strengthen and increase interest in children’s and young adult literature around the world. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers, and reading promotors are recognized for their lifelong work and/activities.

Nimer’s works include 16 children’s books, such as “Wonder Travels in Mysterious Lands” which was the winner of the 2014 Etisalat Award for the Young Adult category, and her novel, “A Little Piece of Ground,” co-written with children’s fiction author Elizabeth Laird, and has received international praise and admiration. She has drawn her work from Palestine’s folklore and cultural heritage in works such as “Ghaddar the Ghoul and Other Palestinian Stories.”

The author won the 2018 Arabic Young Adult Book Award for her young adult novel, “Thunderbird,” at the tenth Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. “Thunderbird” has also been nominated for the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, one of the Arab world’s biggest and most prestigious awards in children’s literature.

The winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is announced at the end of May/beginning of June in Stockholm, Sweden.