Ignė Zarambaitė. Juodavandeniai (Black Water Sprites), Vilnius: Nieko rimto, 2020. – 144 p.  

The writer’s first young adult novella involves intrigues, dangerous teenage games, love and hate. The story centres on sixteen-year-old Ana who returns to a place which she and her mother once fled. Ana was bullied by her classmates for being overweight, but they can’t recognize her now. Not only is her appearance different, but she has also changed her name. But is it possible to start afresh in one’s hometown? Are the shadows of the past going to catch up with the present? After a party ends in the death of one of Ana’s classmates, everyone is forced to examine their consciences and find out the truth about what happened.

After leaving her job as an economist and manager in Vilnius, Ignė Zarambaitė (born 1988) returned to her hometown and started a career as a children’s author in 2015. She has published five books for children and young adults. She also teaches, paints, and designs interior decorations and dolls.

Awards

2020: Best YA Book of the Year Prize (Lithuania)

Selected translations

Slovenian: Črnovodci. Translated by Klemen Pisk. Medvode: Malinc, 2024

Estonian: Güngete vete vaimud. Translated by Tiina Kattel. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2023

Latvian: Melndzelmji. Translated by Dace Meiere. Riga: Janis Roze Publishers, 2022

Contact for rights: knygos@niekorimto.lt