the book thief written by markus zusak

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2007. ISBN: 9780375842207

Plot Summary:

     Liesel Meminger is a 10 year old young girl who lives in Nazi Germany during Adolph Hitler's reign. Liesel travels by train to a small town outside of Munich, Germany. During this voyage, Liesel's little brother dies. Despite Liesel's inability to read, she steals her first book from the grave digger's coat while in attendance of her brother's funeral. From this point, Liesel embarks on a journey and an arising anger towards Adolf Hitler due to the celebration of his birthday through the acts of organized book burnings.  

Critical Analysis:

      The Book Thief is a young adult award winning novel that incorporates elements of historical fiction while grasping the interest of young adult readers. The author, Markus Zusak, introduces the story line by the narrator, Death. Not only is Death directly symbolic, but Death conveys the emotions of remorse for having to collect souls throughout the era that of which this novel takes place. Through the usage of the author's vivid descriptions, readers have a clear sense that this novel takes place during Nazi Germany. From the inclusion of mentions of Adolf Hilter's reigning to the mention of concentration camps, the Zusak accurately depicts the times and era of this period leading to the plot of the protagonists' book thievery. 

     Liesel Miminger is the introduced protagonist of this story who is a ten year old girl who steals books, despite her inability to read. Again, the author vividly describes how an organized celebration for Adolf Hilter's birthday is celebrated by the burning of literature. Liesel finds the burning of books impractical and a growing anger for Adolf Hitler originates. Through the author's words, young adults are transported into another time period where they can learn about the harsh and inhumane times of Nazi Germany while finding similarities through the protagonist, Liesel. 

Awards Won:

Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children's Literature (2007), National Jewish Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature (2006)

Review Excerpts:

"Corduner uses considerable zeal and a talent for accents to navigate Zusak's compelling, challenging novel set in Nazi Germany. Death serves as knowing narrator for the tale, which is framed much like a lengthy flashback. The storytelling aspects of this structure include asides to the listener, and lots of foreshadowing about what eventually happens to the various lead characters-appealing features for listeners. But Corduner seems to most enjoy embracing the heart of things here-the rather small and ordinary saga of 10-year-old Liesel Meminger, who has been given over to a foster family following her mother's branding as a "Kommunist" and the death of her younger brother. Under her foster parents' care, she learns how to read, how to keep terrifying secrets and how to hone her skills as a book thief, a practice that keeps her sane and feeds her newfound love of words. With quick vocal strokes, Corduner paints vivid, provocative portraits of Germans and Jews under unfathomable duress and the ripple effect such circumstances have on their lives." - Publishers Weekly

"With Death as narrator, Markus Zusak's haunting novel (Knopf, 2003) follows Liesel Meminger, The Book Thief, through the fear-filled years of Nazi Germany. The story opens as the ten-year-old girl takes her first book shortly after her younger brother's death. Both children were en route to the foster home of Hans and Rosa Hubermann in a Munich suburb. Despite Rosa's sharp tongue and Hans's lack of work, their home is a loving refuge for the nightmare-ridden girl. It also becomes a hideout for Max, a young Jewish man whose father saved Hans's life. Liesel finds solace with her neighbor Rudy and her creative partnership with Max. Accompanied by Rudy, the girl copes by stealing food from farmers and books from the mayor's wife. There are also good moments as she learns to read and plays soccer, but Hans's ill-advised act of kindness to a Jewish prisoner forces Max to leave their safe house. The failing war effort and bombing by the Allies lead to more sacrifices, a local suicide and, eventually, to great losses. Reading books and writing down her experiences save Liesel, but this novel clearly depicts the devastating effects of war. Narrator Allan Corduner defines each character with perfect timing. He's deliberate as the voice of Death, softly strong as Liesel, and impatient, but not unkind, as Rosa. With richly evocative imagery and compelling characters, Zusak explores behind-the-lines life in World War II Germany, showing the day-to-day heroism of ordinary people. Relevant for class discussions on wars both past and present." - School Library Journal

"When Death tells a story, you pay attention. Liesel Meminger is a young girl growing up outside of Munich in Nazi Germany, and Death tells her story as "an attempt-a flying jump of an attempt-to prove to me that you, and your human existence, are worth it." When her foster father helps her learn to read and she discovers the power of words, Liesel begins stealing books from Nazi book burnings and the mayor's wife's library. As she becomes a better reader, she becomes a writer, writing a book about her life in such a miserable time. Liesel's experiences move Death to say, "I am haunted by humans." How could the human race be "so ugly and so glorious" at the same time? This big, expansive novel is a leisurely working out of fate, of seemingly chance encounters and events that ultimately touch, like dominoes as they collide. The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving. Even at its length, it's a work to read slowly and savor. Beautiful and important." - Kirkus Reviews 

"Brilliant and hugely ambitious…Some will argue that a book so difficult and sad may not be appropriate for teenage readers…Adults will probably like it (this one did), but it’s a great young-adult novel…It’s the kind of book that can be life-changing, because without ever denying the essential amorality and randomness of the natural order, The Book Thief offers us a believable hard-won hope…The hope we see in Liesel is unassailable, the kind you can hang on to in the midst of poverty and war and violence. Young readers need such alternatives to ideological rigidity, and such explorations of how stories matter. And so, come to think of it, do adults.” - The New York Times

Connections:

Customers who bought this book also bought The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, and If I Stay. 

*The motion picture, The Book Thief, directed by Brian Percival opened in theaters on November 27, 2013. 

Interactivity:

• Ask children how important books are in the world and what do they think would happen if there were not any more books.
• Give children a small history lesson pertaining to Nazi Germany in 1939.
• After the reading of this title is complete, have a movie day and discussion and watch the movie.