Photo: Carl-Johan Utsi Photo: Carl-Johan Utsi

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
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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.