LuBiB - have you had a chance to contact Amazon as yet? There seems to be no consensus about whether or not Amazon will replace your Kindle but it is certainly worth a try.
I agree with ProfCrash. Amazon would rather have a happy customer still buying eBooks from them and touting the glories of the Kindle and of Amazon CS
than an unhappy customer who might tell everyone they know how the Kindle isn't sturdy enough to take the wear and tear of daily use.
Holly