Last Thursday, renowned children’s and young adult book author Bettina Obrecht visited the Edertal Comprehensive School. She read to the sixth-grade students from her gripping novel „Opferland,“ which deals with the topic of bullying in a poignant way.
The story centers on Cedric, a fifteen-year-old boy who arrives at a new school and tries to keep a low profile. He doesn’t talk about his past. But when he loses control over a teasing incident and punches a classmate, his history as a long-time victim of bullying catches up with him. Cedric must confront the question of whether and how he can break the vicious cycle of violence and exclusion.
Bettina Obrecht captivated the students with her lively reading style and established an emotional connection with the characters. Her personal insights into the novel’s background were particularly impressive: „There’s a true background to this story. That makes it especially important for me to talk about this topic and start a conversation about it,“ the author explained.
Following the reading, the children had the opportunity to ask questions—both about the novel and about writing itself. They showed great interest in the themes of bullying, friendship, and the challenges Cedric faces in the story.
The event inspired many students to reflect on their own experiences and how they interact with one another. For the Edertal Comprehensive School, the reading was an important stimulus to further raise awareness of respectful interaction.
The comprehensive school would like to express its sincere thanks to Bettina Obrecht for the touching and thought-provoking encounter. She not only provided the sixth-graders with an exciting morning, but also provided them with food for thought that will surely resonate with them for a long time to come.
