AWARDED THE 2020 MINISTRY OF CULTURE’S LITERARY PRIZE

Baugstø master the topic in a way that combines literary quality with knowledge and insight. I am Leona is an important and captivating novel that takes both the topic and the reader seriously.
From the jury’s statement

NOMINATED FOR THE 2020 ARK CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE

NOMINATED FOR THE 2022 “BOKSLUKERPRISEN”

A LGBT story, about a trans girl, born as a boy. About identity, puberty, friendship, first love and social media-bullying.

Leona feels stigmatized because she was born as a boy. Luckily the band members of “The 4 Lions” where Leona plays the gituar, are her best friends. One day something that was not supposed to happen, happens. Things start to unravel when Leona falls in love with the same boy as her best friend. Leona feels frustrated and can’t figure out how to handle the situation. Can anyone really fall in love with her when she is as she is? She also has to find out who is sending her nasty pictures and messages. Sometimes the truth can be hard to face.

The first book about Leona, “If We Were Lions” was published in 2019. It received glowing reviews and was nominated for several literary awards. The books about Leona are stand alones.