The Book Thief

Category: Historical Fiction

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. Print.

ISBN-13: 978-0375842207; Paperback; $7.79.

Awards for The Book Thief:

• 2006 - Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book (South East Asia & South Pacific)
• 2006 - Horn Book Fanfare
• 2006 - Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award
• 2006 - School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• 2006 - Daniel Elliott Peace Award
• 2006 - Publishers Weekly Best Children Book of the Year
• 2006 - Booklist Children Editors' Choice
• 2006 - Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
• 2007 - ALA Best Books for Young Adults
• 2007 - Michael L. Printz Honor Book
• 2007 - Book Sense Book of the Year
• 2009 - Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Master List

Book Review: 

The Book Thief tells a rather conventional story in a highly unconventional way. The novelty of this book is the fact that the story is narrated by Death who lends a unique perspective and voice to the harsh realities of life and death in World War II Germany and takes a singular interest in Liesel Meminger and her world.

The story takes place from 1939 - 1943 in World War II Germany, a country in the throes of war and under the command of the maniacal dictator and Nazi Adolf Hitler. The story is about a 13-year-old girl named Liesel Meminger who comes to live with foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann on Himmel Street, the poor side of a little town of Molching outside of Munich, Germany. Her foster father is a kind but outwardly timid house painter, accordion player, and, oh but the way, a Jewish symphasizer. Her foster mother is a woman of vehement and prolific profanity (“Come here, Saumensch!” – You filthy pig!) who takes in washing and ironing from wealthier town residents. She also takes in and hides a Jew named Max who is on the run from the Nazi authorities. Hans teaches Liesel to read, and Max teaches Liesel about storytelling and hope. Liesel is dubbed “The Book Thief” by her best friend Rudy Steiner because she manages to steal books from various places including a graveyard (after her brother’s funeral), a Nazi book burning, and even the mayor of Molching’s own house. The books represent words, a new vocabulary for Liesel to construct her own stories. Liesel and Rudy’s neighborhood of young bullies and the forced Hitler Youth activities fuel a growing anger toward the Fuhrer himself. Max, the Jew, has a recurring dream that he can best Hitler in a boxing match. The suffering of both Jews and poor Germans in this small town is vividly portrayed.

The Book Thief is unconventional in several ways: the choice of Death as the narrator, its cinematic language (everything is a color), and the inclusion of handwritten stories and illustrations within the story. These are successful writing techniques. No character  - not even the cynical Death - is left untouched by this terrible war.

Recommended: Senior High School and up.    
     

Author Interview: Marcus Zusak