Maria Turtschaninoff, 37, has won the Finlandia Junior prize for her novel Maresi: Punaisen luostarin kronikoita, which translates to Maresi: Chronicles of the Red Monastery. The book, which is available in Swedish and Finnish, travels back in time and tells the story of a matriarchal society that is also a safe haven for girls.
Turtschaninoff's third novel for young adults won out over 6 titles competing for the prize.
Her second novel for young adults Arra was shortlisted for the Finlandia Junior prize in 2008.
Turtschaninoff, was born in Helsinki and studied in Gothenburg, Sweden. She currently lives in Karjaa, southern Finland.