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9781101934180
1101934182
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Age Suitability
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Captain_America_1907 thinks this title is suitable for 12 years and over
Quotes
Add a QuoteFirst the colors.
Then the humans.
That's usually how I see things.
Or at least, how I try.
Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day.
A small announcement about Rudy Steiner. He didn't deserve to die that way.
“If only she could be so oblivious again, to feel such love without knowing it, mistaking it for laughter. ”
― Markus Zusak
“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”
Notices
Add NoticesFrightening or Intense Scenes: a few gruesome deaths, bombings, lifeless bodies.
Coarse Language: The bad language is in German, but Death translates it to English. Nothing serious, but certainly not for younger readers.
Frightening or Intense Scenes: The "parade" of Jews was a bit frightening, and the whipping and war.
Summary
Add a SummaryThe story of a young girl under Nazi Germany. When her family hides a Jew in the basement, her life changes forever. Her thirst for books begins when she was illiterate. Slowly, books play an enormous part in her story.
About a Germany girl during WWII who is living with a foster family hiding a Jew.
Liesel Meminger, an illiterate girl in Nazi Germany loves books. At her brothers funeral she finds her first book, the Grave Diggers Handbook. With the help of her foster father, Hans Hubermann she learns to read and desires more books. However with World War 2 her family is sinking deeper into poverty and cannot afford to buy her books. So she resorts to stealing them. She takes them wherever she can find them, but only what she needs never more. But Liesel's life gets even more dangerous when her foster father repays a debt by taking in a Jew on the run. Liesel then realizes some unsettling facts about Nazi Germany and Hitler. This book is Liesel Meminger's story, told by Death.
In brief, I will say a few things about this book (I am on my mothers library page) 1. It is amazing
2. Always look at the pictures they feature very intensely in the story.
The Book Thief
the book thief is about young girl, living in Nazi Germany, who, as the title suggests, is a book thief. Or a collector of second hand books, however you wish to put it. Narrated by death, it will guide you through great joys and great sorrows. (A note, death loves colours, Also, I have noticed the colour patterns in a few other books) Liesel steals her first book at her brothers funeral. That was the last time she ever saw her mother. Along her "illustrious career" her foster parents take an old, dead, acordian playing, jewish friends son into the custody of their basement. A basement that will save her alone, well, along with a story. The basement doesn't save her best friend, Rudy Stiener. I'm not telling any more, otherwise I'll spoil it for you.
"It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.
But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down.
In a superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time." -from the back cover
"It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul."
Introduction: During WWII in 1939, Liesel and her brother are being taken to Molching, Germany with her mother, to live with foster parents. Sadly, her little brother dies on the train and is buried along the way there. This is when Liesel steals her first book, (Gravedigger’s Handbook- marks brother’s death). Entering her new home, Liesel finds most comfort and love with her new father- Hans Hubermann. Stealing books becomes somewhat of a hobby now, as it motivates her to learn to read and write. An important aspect of the introduction is the hint at Liesel’s background. She learns more about why, how, and what actually happened to her real parents. As of right now, all we know is that Hans is gentle/welcoming, and that Rosa may need anger-management classes.
Rising Action: After the book-burning celebration for Hitler’s birthday, Liesel realizes that the Nazis are responsible for all of her losses. At this point, she steals another book (the Shoulder Shrug- marks hatred for Hitler). Along with her friendship with Rudy Steiner, good friend from school, she forms a relationship with the mayor’s wife, who lets Liesel in her library every time she comes by for laundry (as she saw Liesel’s interest in stealing the Shoulder Shrug). But when the wife, Ilsa, ends the laundry service, Liesel is infuriated and begins stealing her books. Eventually though, forgiveness awakes due to a complicated friendship that was always present. Back to Rudy, he’s a fearless boy with lemon hair, and he wants Liesel’s lips. Remember that. Meanwhile, there’s the story of Hans Hubermann and his great friend during WWI who saved Hans’s life and died in consequence. This friend happens to be a Jew, and his son is now seeking help with Hans, in hiding from the Nazis. Expectedly, the family is worried about the potential situation, since the act of housing a Jew in WWII was life-jeopardising. But they do, and Max turns out to be very friendly. So does Rosa. Especially Hans.
Climax: A series of little events tagged along for the journey to the climax. But, everything explodes when Max leaves for safety. Liesel is…she’s devastated. But, there is worse to come. He’s seen in a hoard of Jews on their way to Dachau, and this just tears the girl apart. Soon after, Ilsa gave Liesel a blank book. This saves the girl’s life, keeping her busy writing in the basement in an unexpected bombing. Sadly, all of Liesel’s loved ones die in their sleep. Death takes his time picking up Rosa, Hans, Kurt... Oh yeah, Rudy dies too, but at least he gets his long-awaited kiss from Liesel. Too bad it happens like this.
Falling Action: Well, the climax occurs late in the book, and in consequence, there’s not much to be said in this section. But, it is notable that Liesel drops her book in shock of everybody’s death (book = her life-story painted on the beloved blank pages from Ilsa). Death picks it up. The book is to be remembered. The mayor’s wife takes her in. Liesel talks with Alex Steiner. About Rudy. I’m sorry, am I being too specific?
It’s...well...just that......I love this part.
Resolution: In the epilogue, Liesel dies. But, she has lived a happy life with a husband and offspring. We also see Liesel being reunited with Max, having miraculously survived his sentence at Dachau. The book ends under a fulfilling atmosphere as Death gives back her book and takes her soul away. “I am haunted by humans.”
I started this book and it just didn't keep my attention, so gave it up, for a time. It had been so highly recommended I knew it would come back on my list. When next I picked it up I was ready for it and absolutely loved it. An engrossing, warm, and thoughtful read about a very difficult time.
An amazing story that takes place during World War II in Nazi Germany. Death narrates the story of a young girl named Liesel and her life living with her foster parents, the Hubermanns.
Comment
Add a CommentThe Book Thief has surpassed all of my limits as a reader because the perspective of the narrator and hidden messages between the backgrounds of World War II leaves me speechless and amazed. This is a book that makes you feel for each and every one of the characters, from Papa to Frau Diller down the street, a book that makes you laugh, cry and smile. Zusak uses the darkness of war to add a sad humor to this novel; he refuses to sugar-coat the endless suffering of Jews and the horror of the entire Holocaust situation. As I reader, after finishing this book many times, I am left with all the characters beside me and the powerful messages stamped onto me. Rating 5/5
- @jewelreader of the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library
MAJOR SPOILERS IN QUOTES FROM THE BOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REVIEW
3/1 - What a hard book to review (and for my first of the year)! The Book Thief was interesting, heart breaking, weird, literary (which isn't usually a good thing, for me), and long (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I'm sure nothing I say will be unique, others will have said it before me and probably expressed themselves better than I will ever manage.
I don't usually like books that use 'interesting' language because most of the time I just see it as the author trying too hard and don't see why should they be allowed to ignore the punctuation/grammar rules that the rest of us are expected to adhere to. I don't know if it was Zusak's use of Death as the narrator or he was just more skilful at manipulating the language in a pleasing way than other 'language manipulating' authors that I've come across, but I found his syntax less irritating than I would have expected to had I been aware of it going in. I couldn't finish Blood Meridian or Steppenwolf because of how much the writing styles annoyed me, but Zusak managed to successfully negotiate the thin line between interesting and annoying.
A few examples of what I'm talking about
'It was right about then that she saw the first body. The accordion case fell from her grip. The sound of an explosion.
Frau Holtzapfel was scissored on the ground.'
'"Come on, Rudy, come on, Jesse Owens, don't you know I love you, wake up, wake up, wake up..."
But nothing cared.
The rubble just climbed higher. Concrete hills with caps of red. A beautiful, tear-stomped girl, shaking the dead.'
'The bodies of Mama and Papa,
both lying tangled in the gravel
bed sheet of Himmel Street.'
This is the first book with atypical writing that I've enjoyed and this might be the only time it ever happens, so I'm going to savour the experience and try to remember this feeling when I next come across a book whose author has not negotiated that fine line successfully (not in my opinion, anyway).
I had to read this book for school so naturally I don't enjoy it as much bc I don't like being forced to read I like choosing what I want to read but anyways it was surprisingly really good!
This historical fiction, young adult fiction novel follows the life of a young German girl as tragedies are thrown at her, narrated by none other than Death himself. Liesel Merminger the girl has her world fall apart when her family is left behind, with her new foster parents she must cope in Nazi Germany. Death is surprisingly sympathetic towards the souls he delivers to the afterlife. This book is full of plot twists and surprises, Markus Zusak has incredible character building arcs making his work all the more sublime. Personally, I would recommend this book and his other novels to other avid readers because of the sheer uniqueness of it.
- @Florence of the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak was among one of the most fascinating and well-written books I have ever read. The novel is told in the perspective of Death personified, during the Great Depression in Germany. It follows the story of young Liesel, who has endured enough tragedy in her childhood to last a lifetime, who moves in with the Hubermanns, and tries to start a new life amidst some very dark times in history.
This book was truly brilliant. It was set over the course of many years, where the reader got to see Liesel grow up and develop into a strong young woman from a helpless little girl. Liesel progressively learns how to read and write, and her persistence, perseverance, and determination is something that any reader can admire. She is able to take nothing and turn it into something incredible, which Death recognizes early on, and it makes the book a little more bright and enlightening to see how she grows. The novel itself though had many depressing, gloomy, dark, and twisted themes that revolved much around the concept of Death. I found this so interesting to read because it really reflected well on the time period it was set in and added to the entire mood of the characters, knowing that any moment could be their last in the Great Depression. That, to me, was suspenseful and thrilling in its own way and kept me addicted to the book.
This book contains many, many different storylines that all strung together to make one novel that flowed perfectly and went through every character, every setting, and every storyline magnificently. The book itself really captured the gloomy mood of the time period, and also managed to educate readers more on the Great Depression, and learning new things is always a bonus, too.
I loved this novel, and I would rate it a 5/5 stars.
- @AllegroReader of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library
This wonderfully written book is filled with action and amusement while being terribly tragic at the end.
While the Holocaust was indeed appalling, reading this book led me to realize the courage of many people as they hid Jews and were silently resisting the Nazis.
I love the book and the guy reading it breathed so much life into the characters!
An excellent novel. I read it as an e-book and then had to go and buy a print copy. This one needs to be read holding the book!
Beautifully written; I really enjoyed the poetically descriptive narration. The story skips around though, revealing future incidents before their time. I would have appreciated foreshadowing instead. Still, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I also recommend the movie.
While living in Nazi Germany, Liesel finds comfort in reading. But comfort doesn't last and times get rough, especially if you're hiding a Jewish man in your basement. This book leaves you emotionally heartbroken, but in a good way.
-Maia
This is a unique and beautiful book. During World War II Liesel is taken in by the Hubermanns after she is separated from her communist mother. The book is narrated by Death, as he takes an interest in Liesel even amongst all of the loss of life he is witnessing during the brutal war. The Hubermanns are hiding Max, a Jewish man whose father once saved Hans Hubermann during the First World War. Wanting to give back to the Hubermanns, Max writes his own story for Liesel, literally painting over the pages of Mein Kampf in order to do so. The power of words and books is an overriding theme, as Liesel sees how subversive books and words can be when used for good, and how even one person’s life story can be immensely powerful.