The 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA), the most prestigious international prize in children’s and young adult literature, has been awarded to Marion Brunet — a French author whose work powerfully elevates the voices of marginalized and rebellious youth.
While her name may not yet be a household one outside France, Brunet’s impact on contemporary youth literature is both profound and rising. Her stories are gritty yet poetic, confronting hard realities without losing sight of empathy or hope.
What is the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award?
Often referred to as the Nobel Prize for children’s literature, the ALMA was founded in 2002 by the Swedish government to honor Astrid Lindgren, creator of the iconic Pippi Longstocking. The prize is awarded annually to a person or organization whose work upholds the rights of children in a literary context.
Key facts:
- 💰 Monetary value: 5 million Swedish kronor (~$460,000 USD)
- 🌍 Global prestige: Open to writers, illustrators, storytellers, and reading promoters worldwide
- 🏅 Past winners include: Maurice Sendak, Jacqueline Woodson, Shaun Tan, and Jean-Claude Mourlevat
Who Is Marion Brunet?
Born in 1976 in Vaucluse, southern France, Marion Brunet began her career as a social worker — an experience that deeply shaped her perspective and commitment to social justice. She published her first YA novel, Frangine (Sister), in 2013, and has since established herself as a leading voice in progressive, issue-driven fiction for young people.
Her novels consistently explore:
- 🎭 Identity and self-discovery
- 🏚️ Social class, poverty, and inequality
- ⚡ Rebellion against systemic injustice
- 🌊 Survival, trauma, and solidarity
Her writing style is often described as:
- Lyrical yet direct
- Emotionally intense
- Visually cinematic
- Politically conscious
Key Works That Redefined French YA Literature
Let’s take a closer look at some of her defining books:
Frangine (2013)
A heartfelt story of a brother and sister navigating adolescence in a homophobic environment.
✅ LGBTQ+ themes, family, resilience
L’Été circulaire (2018)
Winner of the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, this novel explores teen pregnancy and family secrecy in rural France.
✅ Social tension, class conflict, generational trauma
Plein Gris (2021)
A survival thriller about a group of teens stranded at sea during a storm.
✅ Group dynamics, fear, leadership
Ilos (2024)
A dystopian fantasy rich in allegory, where teens resist authoritarian rule in a crumbling world.
✅ Resistance, imagination, community
Impact in Classrooms and Beyond
Marion Brunet’s books are frequently included in French school curricula and literary festivals. She is especially popular with educators for her:
- Authentic depictions of youth experience
- Ethical and emotional depth
- Accessibility for reluctant readers
- Invitations to critical thinking
She has won:
- Prix des Lecteurs (Readers’ Choice Award)
- Prix Lire à l’Ombre (Awarded by incarcerated youth)
- Multiple festival honors for social impact
📌 Quote from an educator:
“Marion Brunet doesn’t just write for teenagers — she writes with them in mind, and that makes all the difference.”
The Jury’s Words: Why Brunet?
According to the official citation from the Swedish Arts Council:
“Her narratives are unflinching in their realism, luminous in their hope, and revolutionary in their insistence that every young voice deserves to be heard.”
Her books embody the ALMA’s core mission: to amplify stories that protect, empower, and liberate children and youth.
What’s Next?
With the ALMA prize, Marion Brunet’s international profile will undoubtedly rise. Translations of her work are expected to expand rapidly into English, Spanish, German, and beyond.
If you haven’t yet read her, start now. Because Marion Brunet doesn’t write “young adult” fiction — she writes fiction that adults need to hear too.
