Volker Surmann
Leon Hertz and the Thing about Sadness
Is this still normal, or already depri light?
Leon Hertz is 13 3/4 years old and the third Leon in his class – pretty normal and unremarkable, in his opinion. But Rouven has noticed him, and not only that. He even helps Leon with his ethics presentation. When it comes to death and mourning, the boy with the emo reputation, who is always dressed in black, is certainly an expert.
Leon’s topic is also a tough one: he wants to talk about the cross marking Lukas’ accident. Lukas, who was hit by a lorry on his bike a few years ago. It’s not just the presentation that gives Leon sleepless nights, he is also preoccupied by his low moods. And could it be that Rouven somehow likes him, given how much time he spends with him?
A wonderfully light novel about the difficult questions of life that not only young people ask themselves.
Mixtvision
Young Adult Fiction
Original title: Leon Hertz und die Sache mit der Traurigkeit
Age 12+
224 pp | € 16
hc | 140 x 210 mm
Publication: March 2024
Author: Volker Surmann
All rights available
- Look inside
- Book trailer
- (Not) an outsider story
- A plea for looking and against looking away
- About friendship that gives courage - despite everything
Awards
- Donkey of the Month, July 2024
- Religious Book of the Month, STUBE, April 2024
- Book of the Month, April 2024
“The linguistic lightness in particular makes this a great success, presenting all kinds of heavy topics in a highly entertaining yet thought-provoking way. And despite the small, intimate space in which Leon and the other protagonists move, despite the sometimes almost slapstick-like sound, this is a story of great breadth and wisdom that takes young people seriously in a charming and entertaining way.” – Eselsohr, Esel des Monats
“In the course of his search, Surmann allows Leon to meet various people who all hang around Berlin and come into contact with each other far too rarely. In the process, questions arise all by themselves that have very direct religious dimensions on the one hand, but also concern enlightened society on the other. How do we want to be remembered? How do we get along with each other, even if we are very different? And how do we live tolerance?” – STUBE, Vienna, Religious Book of the Month
“This novel spans a wide arc between the themes of life and death – without any easy conclusions or solutions. A very nice book for young people, which I enjoyed reading and which I wish maximum success.” – Jacob Hein
“The novel takes an empathetic approach to a complex topic. The author manages a convincing balancing act between confidence, humour and seriousness to tell the story of a boy’s difficulties in adolescence.” – Deutsche Akademie für Kinder- und Jugendliteratur, Book of the Month April 2024
“[…] Despite the heavy subject matter, an easy-to-read book that touches, sensitises and entertains enormously through the fresh and honest narrative style of its young hero. […] A […] real […] discovery. ” – Andrea Kachelrieß, Stuttgarter Nachrichten
By the same author and illustrator