Kunterbunt und kurz geschrieben is an intermediate-level German reader that can be used as either the main text in a conversation course or a supplementary text in an intermediate grammar-review course. James Pfrehm’s innovative approach includes topical and often humorous modern German short stories that are distinctly different from the canonical texts studied in upper-level courses. The book also features a grammar activity in each chapter and video podcasts of short stories created by Pfrehm.

In addition, the text and online materials include
• unscripted person-on-the-street interviews
• engaging conversation and role-play activities
• exercises that lead students to create their own podcasts
• exercises that focus on making cross-cultural connections
• before- and after-reading exercises

James Pfrehm is assistant professor of German at Ithaca College. He received his Ph.D. in German linguistics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has taught in the United States and abroad at various schools, including Millsaps College, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and the University of Münster in Germany.