The Book Thief

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Title	The Book Theif
Author	Markus Zusak
# of Pages	584
Best for Ages	13+
# of Clovers
# of Times Read

Setting:

This book takes place in Nazi Germany, in a fictional town called Molchig. The main character of this book is Liesel, a girl who has been sent away by her mom for safety.

The genre of this book is historical fiction, and it is mainly told in third person. (There is a first person narrator, who is not the main character.)

Plot:

It is 1939, and Liesel is being left. Her mother has taken both her and her brother on a train to bring them to safety at someone else's house, but Liesel's brother does not survive the trip. At the graveyard where her brother is buried, Liesel commits her first act of book thievery. She steals a book called "The Grave Digger's Handbook", while no one is watching. Well, no one living is watching. Death, the narrator of this book, is watching Liesel as she steals the book. Liesel goes on to find her new household, with new parents named Hans and Rosa Hubermann. She grows to love her new house, especially Hans. One night, after a dream about her brother, Hans learns about the stolen book. Using it, Hans begins to teach Liesel how to read. Liesel finds a new friend in Molchig, a boy named Rudy. Rudy and Liesel steal food with a group of kids when the food runs low during WWII. However, food is espically scarce for the Hubermann family. Hans has taken in a Jew named Max Vandenburg. Max must stay in the basement at all times, but Liesel still starts a friendship with him. But the peace in Molchig is not going to last long. The crash of a fighter pilot just outside of town signals that war is coming to Liesel. As the bombing raids begin, will Max survive in the basement of the Hubermann house? And will Liesel be caught stealing more books?

Recommendation:

I absolutely loved this book for many reasons. The fact that Death was the narrator was a little creepy, but it was a great fit for this story. I loved all of the characters, espically Rudy. It was sad at parts, but it kept me hooked and wanting more. I would read this book over and over, and I think you would too.

Related Content:

There is a movie, which I have not yet watched. Check back here later!