Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak



The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zusak, Markus. 2005. The Book Thief. New York: Albert A. Knopf. ISBN 9780375842207

2. PLOT SUMMARY

It is 1939 Nazi Germany, and Liesel Meminger moves in with Hans and Rosa Hubermann, at her mother’s insistence. Due to her brother’s death on the train ride to her new home, Liesel is alone and scared in this new place. It was at her brother’s gravesite that she stole her first book, and she continues her book thievery all while attending school, Hitler Youth meetings, and creating new friendships with neighborhood children. Hans uses the first stolen book to teach Liesel to read, and eventually Liesel writes the story of her life, called The Book Thief. Adding to the tense situations, Liesel and her family hide a Jewish man, Max, in their basement. Taking place during the beginning of Nazi Germany through World War 2, Liesel’s heartbreaking story is told in magnificent fashion by Death himself.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Book Thief was an incredibly emotional book to read, for a multitude of reasons, which makes it difficult for me to review. The setting was described almost too realistically, with Liesel’s sadness and despair coming through the pages. Descriptions of the environment of Nazi Germany and the appearance of the captured Jews being marched to a work camp were devastating in their realism. Liesel is a wonderful protagonist, and is a typical girl dealing with adult problems on top of the usual issues that affect pre-teens/teenagers. The addition of Death as the narrator of The Book Thief is an inspired choice. Death adds in his personal emotions and point of view on the war and persecution of Jewish people as he picks up their souls. “I am haunted by humans.”

There is a clear theme of coming of age for Liesel, but the whole book is centered on moral questions. Many of the Hubermann’s neighbors are fanatic Nazi supporters, but Liesel, her foster parents, and a few others are aware of the ugliness of Hitler’s message. They struggle with their own moral decisions, and whether to risk being labeled a traitor to the Nazi regime. Zusak stresses the importance of books and words, especially in times of crisis. It is during the most stressful times in Liesel’s life that she steals books, and she shares those books with her neighbors while they wait in a bomb shelter.

A reader’s guide is provided by Zusak in this edition of The Book Thief, with discussion questions, resources for further study of the Holocaust, and a personal interview about writing this book.


4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Michael Printz Honor Book 2007

ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year

Starred review in 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.”

Starred review in Kirkus: “The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving. Even at its length, it’s a work to read slowly and savor. Beautiful and important.”

Positive review in Booklist: “More than the overt message about the power of words, it’s Liesel’s confrontation with horrifying cruelty and her discovery of kindness in unexpected places that tell the heartbreaking truth.”

5. CONNECTIONS (This book is recommended for grades 9 and up).
* The Book Thief takes place in Nazi Germany, so it is ideal for a discussion on the Holocaust and World War 2.

* Mark Zusak’s Reader’s Guide for The Book Thief: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/teachers_guides/9780375831003.pdf

* Other books by Markus Zusak:

I Am the Messenger. ISBN 9780375836671

Underdogs. ISBN 9780545354424

Getting The Girl. ISBN 9780439389501

Fighting Ruben Wolfe. ISBN 9780439241878