The Book Thief

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zusak, Markus. 2005. THE BOOK THEIF. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 978-0375842207

PLOT SUMMARY
Narrated by Death and set in Nazi Germany during WWII, this story details the life of the ten year-old girl Liesel Meminger who deals with the devastating and horrific events of WWII, the loss of her brother, the separation from her mother who has been labeled a “kommunist” and the confusion of being placed into a foster family. While with her foster family, Liesel learns how to read, becomes the book thief by learning how to steal books, and develops a love of literature which helps her cope with the atrocities of her world.

CRITCAL ANALYSIS
Markus Zusak's The Book Thief is a dark and powerful tale of death, love, and the beauty of humanity. At first the narrator of the story is unfeeling and full of apathy but as Death narrates the story it is drawn to the life and character of Liesel on three separate occasions on its journey throughout the world collecting lives, which causes the reader to wonder what makes Liesel so special? Even though we know the saddening outcomes of World War II, through Markus Zusak's masterful storytelling we are drawn to experience the lives of the The Book Thief's characters and Death's inevitable victims.

REVIEW EXCERPT

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “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 Liesel's story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves. An extraordinary narrative”
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES review “Zusak brilliantly weaves together many strands of stories, creating a gripping and tragic narrative. The outcome of much of the story is no secret, thanks to Death's propensity to get ahead of himself and inform readers what happens, but it is nonetheless upsetting and affecting. Death admits to being haunted by humans; Zusak's exquisite tale will haunt readers long after its pages are over.”

CONNECTIONS
Readers that enjoyed Markus Zusak's The Book Thief will enjoy reading other stories by Zusak and other WWII period novels such as:

I AM THE MESSENGER. ISBN 978-0375842207

HOW I LIVE NOW. ISBN 978-0553376050