Játningar mjólkurfernuskálds facts for kids

Játningar mjólkurfernuskálds (which means 'confessions of a milk-carton poet') is a cool book for young people. It was written by Arndís Þórarinsdóttir and came out in 2011. This book was even nominated for a big award, the 2013 Nordic Children's Book Prize!

The title of the book is quite special. In Iceland, children's poems are sometimes printed on the side of milk cartons! The main character in the story has had her poems published this way. This makes her seem like a very good student and someone who always follows the rules.

Plot Summary

The story is told by Halla, a 13-year-old girl. She lives in the fancy Vesturbær area of Reykjavík with her two dads, Aðalsteinn and Tryggvi. Halla is super smart and does really well in school. She loves wearing pink and is popular with her friends.

Halla's Life Changes

One day, Halla gets into trouble at school and is expelled. After this, her friends, especially her best friend Jenný, stop talking to her. At the same time, the 2008 Icelandic financial crisis hits. This means Halla's family has to move to her aunt Salóme's house. They move to a different part of town, and Halla starts at a new school.

A New Identity

At her new school, Halla is seen as a troublemaker. She decides to act like one! She shaves her head and tries to make friends with Anna Ninja, who is part of the Goth group. Anna's friend, Alexander Filippus, also becomes Halla's friend. Alexander struggles with sadness. Halla also decides not to go through with confirmation, which is an important tradition for many Icelandic teenagers.

The Quiz Show Challenge

Even though Halla is trying to be a rebel, a popular and smart boy named Emil notices her cleverness. He tries to get her to join the school team for a TV quiz show called Gettu betur. Halla likes Emil and wants to be on the team. But she is worried that joining the quiz show will make her seem like a "goody two-shoes" again, and she wants to keep her new, rebellious image.

Images for kids

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  First edition (publ. Mál og menning)