Burying Grandma

“Three children experience the most difficult of things: after their parents die in a traffic accident, they move in with their grandmother until she too dies. The narrator is eleven-year-old Paul. He talks about the shock and grief. But also of new courage and the wild and desperate decision not to go into a home under any circumstances. Paul’s story is deeply sad and at the same time liberatingly funny. Because the plans that he and his two sisters pursue to maintain family independence are as ingenious as they are ludicrous.
Birgit Schössow’s book about death is anything but a problem book. With offbeat humour, slapstick elements and plenty of wordplay, it makes the worst thing imaginable (and not just for children) both relatable and bearable: the death of loved ones and the end of a supportive community of trust. The fact that there is someone like Mrs Matuschke, the neighbour, who is always there for Mina, Paul and Annie with kindness and care, also supports young readers in their trust in survival after drastic losses.
With powerful imagery, warm-hearted humour and criminal suspense, this courageous children’s novel is a fast-paced tribute to life. Full-page illustrations at the beginning of each chapter touchingly prepare the reader for the power of the emotions that are told.” – The Jury of the German Children’s Literature Award

“A story that is reminiscent of much in Andreas Steinhöfel’s work. […] It is the affection and care that makes a family.” – Roswitha Budeus-Budde / “7 Best Books” Deutschlandfunk

“A wonderful declaration of love to life with all its ups and downs – and unexpected twists and turns.” – Margit Lesemann / BÜCHERmagazin

“Three siblings, lots of dying and a spectacular happy ending.
First off: there is a lot of dying in this book. First it hits the parents, then the cat and finally the grandmother. Three siblings have to go through it, bury the grandmother in the garden and take care of themselves for the time being.
If you haven’t rolled your eyes at the improbability of the events and gasped at the potential overwhelming of sensitive children, I advise you to read the book, because it’s good.
First-person narrator Paul and his sisters live happily with their parents in Hamburg. But on a date night, the parents are run over and die. The children come to a grandmother they didn’t know before. In a small town. But it is surprisingly beautiful. There is also a cat that helps them to grieve – until it dies. Of old age. This death is also thoroughly mourned, the cat is buried, and life goes on. But then the unthinkable happens: their grandmother also dies. She has thoroughly planned out their lives after her death: They should continue to live in her house and not end up in separate foster families. But how that works is a story you should let Paul tell you himself.
A laconic orphan story about resilience, self-efficacy and how to continue living after life-changing losses. Adventurous. And brave, hats off to the publisher!” – Shortlist Protestant Book Prize 2025

“Laconically told orphan story about resilience, self-efficacy and moving on after life-changing losses. Adventurous. And courageous, hats off to the publisher!”  – Wiebke Mandalka, Ev. literature portal

“Very quirky, very funny and quite crazy. […] Death and grief are taken seriously, but there is no desolation. […] A convincing debut.” – Sylvia Schwab, Deutschlandfunk Kultur

“Reading this book – even as an adult – is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Birgit Schössow takes them seriously – and still dares to find hair-raising solutions. Ingenious.” – Andrea Wanner, TITEL kulturmagazin

“Writing a book about death, but not in the least as a problem book – that is something you have to be capable of. Birgit Schössow has found a suitable tone for it that doesn’t conceal anything, but doesn’t let the stories sink into sadness either … and there’s a touch of classics like “Oskar and Rico” wafting through the book. […] An absolutely recommendable children’s book.” – Ulf Cronenberg – Jugenbuchtipps.de