Tales of Franz

To wax poetic about your own youth, you have to be one thing above all else: long since grown up. Franz Fröstl is nine years old, goes to school in Vienna, and he knows: it’s not easy being a kid. For one thing, he’s smaller than the other kids. And for another, his voice gets really high-pitched and squeaky when he gets upset. That definitely doesn’t make him one of the cool kids at school. But Mom and Dad say he doesn’t have to be. Do parents even have a clue what it’s like to be teased nonstop in class? To lose your voice when standing in front of the strict teacher Zickzack? At least they stand united behind him against the controlling, bossy neighbor Mrs. Berger. But sometimes you just have to know how to help yourself. When Franz discovers influencer Hank Haberer’s 10-step program online, it seems like he’s found the solution: You just have to train yourself to be less nice, do your own thing, and you’ll become a real guy! But Franz’s best friend, the smart Gabi, and his school friend Eberhard have known for a long time: There’s no need for a new Franz, because just the way he is, he’s great enough. But first, things have to really go off the rails. The trio’s friendship hits rock bottom—temporarily…