Literature and Fiction / Children's Books · Hardback

Angry Youth

Norwegian title: Forbanna ungdom

Aon Raza Naqvi

Noh sells cigarettes in the school playground. He gets into fights. He skips class and mouths off.The older boys want nothing to do with him, no matter how hard he tries to impress them. Deep down, he’s just a teenage boy trying to find his place—between two cultures, in a town that doesn’t understand him, and in a school system that’s already labelled him a problem.

After one incident too many, Noh is forced into ART—Aggression Replacement Training—a program meant to “fix” his behaviour. His therapist, Erling, thinks a few group sessions will teach Noh to control his temper. But Noh’s not angry for no reason. He’s angry at the racism, the double standards, the impossible expectations at home. And he’s angry that no one seems to be listening.

Between joint-smoking sessions with his best friend Behzad, awkward crushes, run-ins with older boys, and constant power struggles with adults, Noh is stuck navigating a life where he never quite belongs. He’s smart. He’s funny. And he sees through the bullshit—all of it.

Angry Youth is a raw, darkly funny, and brutally honest coming-of-age novel about growing up between cultures, being seen as a threat before being understood, and trying to hold onto yourself in a world that keeps pushing you out. Set in a small Norwegian town in the early 2000s, this powerful, character-driven debut is packed with sharp dialogue, deep social insight, and a voice that refuses to be silenced.

NOMINATED FOR THE BRAGE AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK 2025

NOMINATED FOR THE CRITICS AWARD 2025

«Naqvi writes exceptionally well and engagingly, thanks in part to his use of humour and realistic portrayals of youth environments. Because of this, it's easy to get drawn into the story and, moreover, to finish reading it. Angry Youth could therefore be an excellent book for teenagers who find it difficult to settle down with a long and challenging read. With its fast-paced plot, funny characters, and relatable situations, Angry Youth is a book that can appeal to 'troublemakers', 'high-achievers', and everyone in between.»Framtida, five/six stars

A linguistically exuberant novel«...this is a very funny novel for young adult that also deserves adult readers, perhaps precisely because of the convincing youth language it is written in.»Samtiden

Young, Angry and Funny«Aon Raza Naqvi's debut novel describes youthful alienation with nuance and intelligence.»Aftenposten