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The Book Thief

The Book Thief
Overview
Main Characters
Themes
Death tells the story of Liesel, a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany. While her family hides a Jewish man from the Nazis, Liesel steals books to learn to read. The city crumbles around her, and Leisel learns that words can change the world—but they can't save the people you love.
The Book Thief
Drawn to words, Liesel learns to read a book stolen from a grave digger.
Liesel & Max
Max hides in the basement, where he and Liesel explore the power of words.
Liesel's Book
Liesel begins to write about the events and people that have shaped her life.
Liesel Meminger
Brave, clever, determined young girl growing up in Nazi Germany; loves reading and writing
Rudy Steiner
Athletic, smart, kind boy with lemon-yellow hair; looks like ideal Nazi but is not
Hans Hubermann
Tall, quiet, compassionate, anti-Nazi; plays accordion and comforts Liesel
Max Vandenburg
Young Jewish amateur boxer hiding from Nazis in Hans's cellar; helps Liesel learn to read
Power of Words
Words can change the world for better or worse.
Burden of Guilt
Survivors of trauma may feel guilt for living when others died.
Unanswered Questions
Questions about the capacity for human destruction defy answers.
Author
MARKUS ZUSAK BORN 1975
Born in Sydney, Australia, Zusak worked as a teacher and house painter before publishing several novels, of which The Book Thief is the best known. Zusak's parents' experiences during World War II in Germany and Austria influenced this book, which became a feature film in 2013.
17
author vip Community Helper
The book thief is a drama and historical-fiction based novel by the Australian author Markus Zusak. The Book Thief is a story about Liesel, a little girl growing up in Germany during World War II. Hans and Rosa, Liesel's foster parents, live with her. Liesel steals a lot of books throughout the novel. She doesn't know how to read at first, but she recognizes the importance of the book. Hans notices her and instructs her on how to read the letters.

In 1938, Liesel, a little orphan, arrives at the home of Hans and Rosa, her new foster parents. When Hans, a gentle housepainter, discovers the Liesel's inability to read, he begins to teach her the wonders of written language. Liesel develops a passion for books and even saves one from a Nazi pyre. Despite the fact that Liesel's new family is barely scraping by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they discreetly conceal a Jewish youngster whose father had saved Hans' life.

As the political situation in Germany deteriorates, her foster parents conceal a man named Max Vandenburg. Hans, who has developed a close relationship with Liesel, teaches her to read, first in her bedroom, then in her basement. Recognizing the power of writing and sharing the written word, Liesel begins to steal the books.
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