4 December 2025
Nominations for the 2025 Icelandic Literary Prize
The nominees for the 2025 Icelandic Literary Prize have been announced. We are immensely proud that two titles represented by Rights & Brands are among the shortlisted in the Children’s and YA category – Ævar Þór Benediktsson and Elín Elísabet Einarsdóttir for The Principal (Skólastjórinn) and Arndís Þórarinsdóttir for Solar (Sólgos).
The jury’s motivation for The Principal (Skólastjórinn):
“A lively story that combines humour, suspense and the coming-of-age tale of primary school pupils in challenging yet often hilarious situations. The story is packed with fun and excitement, keeping readers turning the pages.”
One of Ævar Þór Benediktsson’s newest titles this autumn, The Principal, has rocketed to the top of bestseller lists, and it’s the most popular book in Iceland for the second month in a row across all categories. The book tells the story of 12-year-old Salvar, a troublemaker who applies for the position of principal as a good joke – however, things take a turn when he actually gets the position to everyone’s surprise. The book is illustrated by Elín Elísabet Einarsdóttir.
This amusing and touching coming-of-age story received the 2024 Guðrún Helgadóttir Children’s Book Award and has remained on the bestselling list since its release earlier this autumn. Press praise includes the Icelandic TV show Kiljan, where it was hailed as “a vivacious and entertaining book”, and DV commended it as “a crazy coming-of-age story for children and anyone who remembers the child they were” and that “Elín Elísabet Einarsdóttir illustrates the story with singular brilliance, and the antics of Salvar and his friends leap off the pages and into the reader’s lap.” Lestrarklefinn’s praised The Principal as “a great book for children who want stories set in their own time and environment, with a dash of chaos and dreams.”
The jury’s motivation for Solar (Sólgos):
“An impactful and thrilling disaster story where readers get to follow interesting characters in terrifying and suspenseful situations. The author successfully creates a believable picture of a changed society and captures the reader’s attention, holding on until long after the book has been read.”
Þórarinsdóttir’s latest title Solar is a gripping and powerful dystopian YA novel about danger, love, and glimmering hope for young dystopian fans. It’s a survival story set in Iceland, which becomes completely isolated. The story follows 15-year-old Unnar and her family as their lives are turned upside down when a massive solar flare hits Earth, followed by unprecedented ferocity as their community is plunged into darkness and chaos. Her budding relationship with new friend Tanja is a light in the darkness. Solar is an intense and exciting story about a community where all the rules have evaporated, and menace is the only currency. However, partnership, compassion and even love emerge within the chaos. Morgunblaðið, Iceland’s oldest newspaper, commended Þórarinsdóttir’s latest title as “a strong YA novel, one which poses compelling questions, and manages complex topics in a manner both sharp and sincere” and Lestrarklefinn hailed that “the narrative is striking and leaves a lasting impression.”
The prestigious Icelandic Literary Prize is an annual award that celebrates outstanding works across three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Children’s & YA Literature. The winners will be announced in February 2026.
Our warmest congratulations to all nominees!
