2026
A sharp, funny and emotionally disarming middle grade novel about masculinity, fear, and the longing to belong.
When Mads starts at a new school, he feels completely alone—until he begins writing secret letters to the U.S. President’s son, convinced that sharing his mistakes might help someone else avoid them. At home, his father’s “tough guy law” rules: never back down, always strike back twice as hard. But Mads is far from tough; he’s scared of the dark and terrified of disappointing everyone. When the letters fall into the wrong hands, Mads is forced to confront what courage really means.
A warm, humorous and highly relatable story from one of Norway’s most award winning children’s authors.
The book has momentum and infectious energy, not least because of the boy’s indomitable optimism.
(...)
There is plenty of subtle, quirky humor here, and an indomitable optimism. Both are gold in children’s literature.
It is a strong novel for both children and adults. Easy to read, and the dialogue/monologue with the president’s son is funny. At the same time, it is unsettling and serious in its portrayal of the father–son relationship. The book is recommended.
“A rarely powerful epistolary novel about what it really means to be tough."
(...) a novel that works on several levels: both as an engaging children’s book and as an entry point into painful and difficult conversations — a combination only the very best children’s authors manage to achieve.
Endre Lund Eriksen
Martin Eilertsen
