THE BOOK THIEF

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zusak, Markus. 2007. THE BOOK THIEF. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 978-0-375-83100-3

2. PLOT SUMMARY

THE BOOK THIEF is a story narrated by Death himself. Death tells about the life of Liesel the orphan in Nazi Germany. Starting with the death of Liesel’s younger brother, this book is a dramatic telling of events surrounding Leisel, her new best friend and the different people in her poor neighborhood. A stranger eventually makes his way into the house and is hidden away in the basement because he is the worst thing you can be in Nazi Germany; he is Jewish. There are many twists and turns as Liesel grows up and matures during this volatile time in history and ends on a bittersweet note.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The concept of Death narrating a story filled with such pain and remembrance of history told in a relatable way is very intriguing and fun to read. There are many historical details mixed in and a human element of feeling because of the amount of detail Death uses to retell Liesel’s thoughts and emotions. When the man under the stairs writes and illustrates a book for Liesel, Zusak incorporates the very rough drawings into the pages of this story and this gives THE BOOK THIEF a very nice intimate quality.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)  

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward. Death is not a sentimental storyteller, but he does attend to an array of satisfying details, giving Liesels story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves.”

BOOKMARKS MAGAZINE: “…The Book Thief "will be widely read and admired because it tells a story in which books become treasures." And, as we all know, "there's no arguing with a sentiment like that."

5. CONNECTIONS 

*This book is a way to introduce readers to topics like the Holocaust.

*Similar Books:

Boyne, John. THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS. ISBN 978-038575 1537