A Place of Her Own

by Ann Mari Falk

Fifteen years old and an orphan - When her parents die, Stina must leave her country home to live in the city with her older sister. She loves her sister and brother-in-law, but there's really no room in their tiny apartment. How can Stina keep up with the homework in her new school, or invite friends over? And then there's the awful loneliness that won't go away. Stina feels like giving up - until one wonderful day...

141 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Ann Mari Falk var en svensk författare och översättare.

Ann Mari Falk skrev främst barn- och ungdomsböcker men även några romaner och deckare för vuxna. Hennes barnböcker var realistiska med psykologiskt inträngande porträtt. Motivet i ungdomsböckerna är ofta en konflikt (t.ex. skilsmässa, dödsfall) som påverkar de unga personerna och hur de lär sig acceptera tillvaron och omgivningens brister. Ett återkommande tema är de vuxnas besvikelse över hur livet blev och hur detta påverkar hela familjen. I barnböckerna är föräldrarna mer positivt skildrade.

Som översättare ägnade hon sig huvudsakligen åt att översätta barn- och ungdomsböcker från norska, danska och engelska.

Priser och utmärkelser:
1952 – Boklotteriets stipendiat
1953 – Tidningen Vi:s litteraturpris
1959 – Boklotteriets stipendiat
1968 – Astrid Lindgren-priset

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

a Swedish high school story from the sixties that's a great read for those who like such old fashioned books, with the very different setting of a cramped apartment in Stolkholm, and no malteds on hand, to add interest.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lydia C Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Kassie Cvikel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay. Writing style is very elementary which I wasn’t expecting for some reason and the plot is rather predictable. Overall just an okay read that gave me something to do on my slow days at work. Probably wouldn’t read it again, but would’ve loved it as a 12 year old!

[Reading with Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting setting (Stockholm) but quite dated (people curtsey...A LOT).

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like books that change or challenge my thinking, or make me feel something. This one made me think only, “What is the point?”

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book from the 60s, about a 15 year old girl, translated from Swedish, found at the library book sale for a quarter? Had to try it. It was a pleasant, if simple, read, with a few situations and lines that made me smile.