‘Die Sonne, so strahlend und Schwarz’ by Chantal-Fleur Sandjon

‘Die Sonne, so strahlend und Schwarz’ (~the sun, so radiant and Black) by Chantal-Fleur Sandjon is a YA novel like no other—a tender, powerful story told through verse and prose that pulses with emotion, urgency, and beauty.

Nova has just moved with her mother and younger brother, Cosmos, to a new apartment. In this new chapter of her life, she meets Felix*, whose presence opens a door to friendship, to community, and—through Akoua—to first love.

Told with lyrical precision, this novel-in-verse explores identity, belonging, grief, and queer joy through the eyes of a young Afro-German girl finding her voice in a world that often tries to silence it.

I hope this brilliant QTPOC book gets translated into other languages—it deserves to be read widely.

CW: domestic violence, racism, bullying, alcoholism, suicide and mental health themes