The Book Thief

The Book Thief is a novel written by Markus Zusak, and first published in 2005. It takes place in Germany during the rise of the Nazi regime. It tells the story of Liesel, a young girl, the "book thief" of the title, who has lost all her loved ones, and travels to the german town of Molching, to meet her foster family. Liesel, steals her first book, The Gravedigger's Handbook, at her little brother's funeral, but at this stage she could neither read nor write. Her foster father, a kind man, to whom Liesel gradually becomes attached, decides to teach her how to read and write. As Liesel becomes exposed to Adolph Hitler's hateful ideas and speeches, she realises that he and his disciples may be behind the death of her loved ones. During one of the book burnings, that the Nazis used to orchestrate, Liesel steals another book, and gradually this becomes a habit of hers. Therefore, in Liesel's life reading and books acquire a particular significance, since they sort of become emblems of those she loves, as well as of the losses she has endured.

 



The Book Thief belongs to the historical fiction genre. It consists of an imaginary narrative, which is grounded in actual events of the past(Galda, 2012). The book is historically accurate. There are many actual references to events of that period, such as the bomb droppings, book burnings, the Dachau concentration camp or the practices of the Gestapo.The setting of the novel, the town of Molching, is a fictional town, but Zuzek's has done such great work in depicting the climate of the period, that it could be an actual german down during the war. Molching is supposed to be near Munich, as well as near the concentration camp of Dachau.The novel takes place between 1939 and 1945, which is the end of the war. The characters of the novel are very well developed, particularly Liesel. Liesel is an intelligent, vivacious and reseilient girl, who doesn't lose her courage in spite of the despondency and violence that she witnesses around her. The other characters, too, are well developed. They are presented with their positive attributes as well as their flaws. Zusak describes how each character tries to cope in his or her own way during such a difficult time.

 

This book could be a great choice in order to introduce children to some of the events that were connected with the rise of the Nazi regime during World War 2. One possible objection against recommending this book to young readers would be that it is somewhat depressing, and that the narrator of the book is none other than Death himself. Death has in his possession the book that Liesel eventually wrote about her experiences, which he recounts to us. Yet, death is by no means portrayed as a menacing figure, but as an observer who has closely studied human nature.

After having students read this book, as a motivational activity I would ask them to find some information about the Nazi movement and present it to the class. Another motivational activity would be to have them write an essay about a book, that they would save from the book burnings.

I would also ask them the following questions:

1)What was the purpose of the burnings? What sort of books did the Nazis burn?

2)How do you feel about the narration of this story? Would you prefer it if the story was told from Liesel's point of view? Why or why not?

3)Liesel is characterized as a "book thief". What do you think of her actions?

 



The book thief is a beautiful, lyrically written novel, that students should have a chance to read despite its somewhat dark subject. Markus Zusak is an australian author, born in 1975. The Book Thief established him as one of the most succesful authors to have come out of Australia and it amassed numerous awards. Other works include:

I am the Messenger(2002)

Underdog(1999)

 

References:

Galda, C. &. (2011). Literature and the Child Seventh Edition
Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing .

Zusak, Markus (2006). The Book Thief. Toronto: Knopf Books for Young Readers