Caroline Link's Jenseits der Stille is the story of Lara, a girl with two deaf parents who is given a clarinet by her favorite aunt. As she hones her natural talent and becomes a skillful musician, Lara feels more distant from her parents.

By adapting this novel for use in the second and third year German classroom, the editors introduce students to contemporary texts of moderate difficulty and allow them to discuss these texts within their historical and cultural contexts.