Photo: Carl-Johan Utsi
Fjärilshjärta
Flutters of the Heart
2023, Children's, Young Adult
Moa Backe Åstot
Moa Backe Åstot (b. 1998) is a Sámi author and reindeer owner, residing in Jokkmokk, Sweden. After studying creative writing at Umeå University and Jakobsberg Folk High School, she debuted with the award-winning, critically acclaimed young adult novel Fire From the Sky in 2021.
Awards
| Shortlisted for Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan’s Easy-to-Read Award Sweden – Himlabrand Fire From the Sky | 2023 |
| Shortlisted for the QX Gay Gala’s Novel of the Year Award Sweden – Himlabrand Fire From the Sky | 2022 |
| Norrland’s Literature Prize (Best children’s and YA) Sweden – Himlabrand Fire From the Sky | 2022 |
| Shortlisted for the Nils Holgersson Plaque Sweden – Himlabrand Fire From the Sky | 2022 |
| Shortlisted for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize The Nordic Countries – Himlabrand Fire From the Sky | 2022 |
| Slangbellan (Best children’s and YA debut) Sweden – Himlabrand Fire From the Sky | 2021 |
| Shortlisted for the August Prize (Best children’s and YA) Sweden – Himlabrand Fire From the Sky | 2021 |
| Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan’s Author Prize Sweden – Himlabrand Fire From the Sky | 2021 |
Bibliography
Related news
‘Flutters of the Heart’ published in Sweden
No one at school believes Vilda when she tells them she is Sámi. There are always a million questions: Do you speak Sámi? Do you own reindeer? Is your dad Sámi? But no matter what answers Vilda give, it’s like she’s not Sámi enough for them. She’s decided to change that. She’s going to start wearing gábdde, the traditional Sámi clothing, and ask her grandfather, the only one in her family who speaks Sámi, to teach her the language.
But when Vilda’s grandfather suddenly passes away, everything is turned upside down. Vilda has to navigate her Sámi heritage all on her own. At the funeral she meets Samuel. He is a few years older and has everything Vilda wants for herself: the gábdde, the reindeer, the language. Everything her grandfather never got the chance to give her. Perhaps Samuel can show her how to be Sámi instead?
Flutters of the Heart is a book about grief, love, and the right to define who you are.