Young Adult Literature Historical Fiction- The Book Thief

 Biography

Zusak, Markus. (2005). THE BOOK THIEF.  Ill. Trudy White.  Alfred A. Knopf: New York.  ISBN: 978-0-399-55652-4.

Plot Summary

THE BOOK THIEF by Murkus Zusak is a historical fiction novel set in Germany during World War II.  The main character, Liesel, and her brother were on a train heading to a foster home in a small town outside of Munich when her brother passed away.  This book is narrated by a very unusual narrator: Death himself. Death starts out with a very grim scene, a train, crowded with people, and a sister and brother sleeping next to each other. Death collects the soul of the boy, leaving the sister scared and miserable. The mother buries her son as soon as she can, and then she continues on her journey to give her daughter away to a foster parent. The girl, named Liesel, is confused and experiences a swirl of emotions as she tries to adjust to this new life, one in Germany during Hitler’s reign. She meets many interesting people, including a boy named Rudy who want a kiss from her, another named Tommy, whose face twitches, the mayor’s wife, who gives her books to read, and Max, a jewish fistfighter who is a shadow in the basement, hiding from the Nazis.

Critical Analysis

The main character of the book is a girl. Her name is Liesel, who provokes empathy and compassion. Books were attractive for this girl. The girl was very curious and liked reading. Liesel Meminger grew up in a strange family.
The book makes you think about the value of life, the bitterness and suffering the devastation that war brings. Human life is precious and short. Peace, love, tranquility – that is what we must cherish, the author points out in his work. And people in all circumstances can and should be a man. Beauty and ugliness of human coexist in the book together. For example, one German gave a piece of bread to a dying Jew – and a Nazi beat them both. The book is much harder, deeper, more varied. The first and foremost it is about words, their incredible power, which can do so much – to kill millions of people or, vice verse, to save.
The value of the book is great. And today the world is not so easy: bloodshed of innocent people. In some countries there is a war, and in the others terrorist acts that lead to human casualties and destructions. The world press appreciated the author’s book and its importance for the present.
This book is recommended for young adult readers 12 years old and above.  

Review Excerpts

KIRKUS REVIEW, starred review - “Beautiful and important.”

THE HORN BOOK, starred review - “Exquisitely written…A tour de force to be not just read but inhabited.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review - “An extraordinary narrative”

Connections

*Topics to be discussed in a book study:

World War II

Character study of Liesel

The training of Hitler Youths

Life in Germany during the war

Friendships in the books - Liesel and Rudy and Ruby’s foster father Hans and Erik Vandenburg (and eventually his son Max)

Awards Received by THE BOOK THIEF

Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature

Book Series of the Year Award

National Jewish Book Award

Association of Jewish Libraries Teen Book Award