22 Bahnen
(22 Lanes) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
Tilda’s days are strictly regimented: studying, working at the supermarket checkout, looking after her little sister Ida and, on bad days, her mother too. The three of them live in the saddest house on Fröhlichstraße in a small town that Tilda hates. Her friends are long gone, living in Amsterdam or Berlin; only Tilda has stayed behind. Because someone has to be there for Ida, earn money, take responsibility. There are no fathers to speak of, and her mother is an alcoholic. But one day, things start to change: Tilda is offered the prospect of a doctorate in Berlin, and a future that promises freedom begins to shine. And Viktor shows up, Ivan’s big brother, who used to be friends with Tilda. Viktor, who, just like her, always swims 22 laps. But just when Tilda is starting to believe that everything might turn out okay, the situation at home spirals completely out of control.
Edited by: ALEKI - Arbeitsstelle für Kinder- und Jugendmedienforschung

Comment:
22 Lanes is a raw yet tender story about the devastation of family life and how to find happiness between responsibility and freedom.