An Urgent Appeal: “You Have to Read So You Don’t Get Duped”

“Mental Health as Reflected in Contemporary Young Adult Literature”—Hanover-based author Nina Weger visited the Siegerland region to discuss the current theme of the “YoungPoetry” series. She brought along her young adult novels *Fair* and *When My Brother Became a Whale*.

The readings began at the start of the first school period in the auditorium of the Gymnasium am Löhrtor. Nina Weger read from “Fair” to the 7th-grade students. With great enthusiasm, she drew the young audience into the story of “Avid.” Avid’s father passed away a few months ago. Together with his mother Elena, a police chief inspector, he moves into a new apartment to start a new chapter in his life. On the eve of the move, the fully loaded moving van parked in front of their old apartment is broken into. The backpack containing Avid’s computer—on which memories of his father are stored—is also stolen. Avid is beside himself and sets out in search of the thieves. He finds what he’s looking for but, in the process, nearly loses himself.

 In the school auditorium, the 7th-grade class listened spellbound for over an hour to Nina Weger’s incisive remarks. This was followed by thunderous applause. Finally, the 12- and 13-year-olds had nearly 60 minutes to engage in a discussion with the author. The students had no shortage of questions. They ranged from the novel’s content to life as an author to Nina Weger’s work as the director of a children’s circus. The Hanover native bid farewell to her audience with a powerful appeal: “You have to read, otherwise you run the risk of being taken for a ride!” Experienced readers, she explained, understand texts and can read between the lines. This, she said, is essential for forming one’s own opinion and not being manipulated by one-sided media coverage.

At the Carl-Krämer-Realschule in Hilchenbach, Nina Weger read from her young adult novel *When My Brother Became a Whale*. The story of loss and the search for the right decision really gets under your skin. Bela’s older brother Julius is so severely injured in a traffic accident that, after exhausting all medical options, he is sent home in a vegetative state. A deep-seated conflict erupts between his father and mother over whether to let him live or let him die. In his desperation and search for what is right and wrong, Bela sets off with his friend Martha on a journey to Rome to meet the Pope, God’s representative on Earth. The novel’s subject matter is complex and emotionally charged. The young audience was accordingly captivated. The questions centered on finding a topic, research, motivation for writing, work structure, and book design and marketing.

The “YoungPoetry” reading series is funded by the Christa and Dieter Lange Foundation.