A melancholic and beautiful tribute to childhood, imagination, and growing up

Laura Lähteenmäki's "Räkna tyst till tio" (Count Silently to Ten), translated into Swedish by Paulina Immonen, offers a tender and beautifully written exploration of childhood, imagination, and the often-harsh realities of growing up. The novel, nominated for the Nordic Council's Children and Young People's Literature Prize in 2024, captures the essence of middle school dynamics with striking authenticity.

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The recognition is burning from the start: most people are surely familiar with the fickle rules of middle school, how the desire to play is suddenly a thing of the past, or something to be mocked for still having it.

The story centers on ten-year-old Myy, who finds herself increasingly excluded from her close-knit group of friends, the "Minibitarna." As her friends become engrossed in typical adolescent pursuits like social media and personal grooming, Myy clings to the joys of imaginative play. Her world shifts when a new neighbor, Lassi, introduces her to wild and creative games, offering a temporary reprieve from the sting of social exclusion.

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In 'Count Silently to Ten,' ten-year-old Myy is struck by the crushing realization that the group of friends – the so-called 'Minibitarna' – are gradually excluding her.

Lähteenmäki's prose is marked by a literary ambition, particularly in her vivid descriptions of nature. These descriptions are not merely picturesque; they are imbued with complex scents and a sense of wildness that mirrors the often-unpleasant aspects of growing up. The novel's portrayal of nature's changes parallels the shifting relationships in Myy's life, where friendships fade and new ones emerge, and a beloved grandfather faces illness.

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Nature changes, just like the relationships in Myy's life. Friends disappear and reappear, a dear grandfather is dying.

The narrative skillfully depicts the fluctuating power dynamics within Myy's friend group. A particularly touching scene involves Myy and her childhood friend Heta communicating through dolls, using the toys as proxies for their difficult conversations. This symbolic interaction highlights the challenges of direct communication as children navigate the end of their early childhood. The friendship with Lassi represents a final, deeply engaged embrace of play before Myy fully transitions into adolescence.

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The friendship with Lassi becomes like a final breath of play – but a deep, present one. It is a summer of enchantment.