Book Descriptions
for Benjamin Dove by Fridrik Erlings
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
Vorvindar (Spring Winds), three recognitions awarded each year for a contribution to children’s culture in Iceland, a newcomer to children’s lit erature, and/or a great contribution to children’s literature.
Originally published as Benjamín Dúfa in Icelandic by VakaHelgafell Reyk javík Iceland, in 1992.
Bridges to Understanding: Envisioning the World through Children's Books. © USBBY, 2011. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
As an adult, Benjamin Dove looks back upon a summer of his childhood that waso change his life forever. A summer when his new friend Roland, seeminglyescended from the knights of the past, encourages him to stand up forimself and for those he loves. That was a summer when he and his friendsormed the Order of the Red Dragon, giving them a sense of identity andurpose in their turbulent world, for justice against injustice; and a summerhen such innocent childhood games were to be torn apart by an almostnevitable tragedy. "Benjamin Dove" is a brilliantly conceived work ofiction, tinged with both light and dark humour. Disturbing themes arexplored, from bullying to child abuse to gang rivalry, yet there is always aense of the child's unbreakable spirit. It was published to acclaim in 1992nd has won several books awards, including the International Board on Booksor Young People Award, The Icelandic Children's Book Award, and theeykjavik City Children's Book Award. It was also made into a feature lengthilm of the same name, going on to win awards at eight international film
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.