The Hostage Series: Poetry for Children Title: The Hostage Author: Friedrich Schiller Artist: Jenny Brosinski Extent: 32 pp, 4/c throughout Format: 210 x 280 mm Pub. price: EUR 15,50 Pub. date: Spring 2009 German ISBN: 978-3-934029-34-7 Ages: 7 and up

Material available: German review copy

THE STORY:

Damon attempts to kill king Dionys, a cruel tyrant much feared by his subjects. But the plan fails and Damon is sentenced to be crucified. He begs for and is granted a three day grace period to attend the wedding of his sister. However, if he does not return within three days his friend whom he left as hostage with the king, were to die instead of Damon. After the ceremony, Damon tries to get back only to be confronted with obstacles and dangers. And time is running out...

Will Damon be able to meet the challenges and return in time to rescue his friend from certain death?

THE AUTHOR:

Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) was one of Germany´s greatest playwrights. However, originally, Schiller wanted to become vicar but was made to study law and medicine instead. His life as a free author was full of depriviations, causing him serious health problems. During the last years of his life he was greatly inspired by his friendship with Goethe.

THE ARTIST:

Jenny Brosinski was born in Celle. She studied design at the Fachhochschule Hamburg during which she received a scholarship from the deutsch-französisches Jugendwerk to study illustration at Ecole supérieure des arts décoratifs at Strasbourg. Afterwards she went on to study design and sculpture at the Kunsthochschule Berlin. Her designs have been exhibited in the „Salon du livre de jeunesse“ at Paris. Jenny Brosinski lives in Berlin along with her cat - and her boyfriend.