Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: New York: Knopf 2006
ISBN-9780375831003
pages: 560
Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical fiction
Topics: holocaust, coming of age
Media Type: Book
Grade level: 10-Adult
Reader's annotation: As Liesel, her family, friends and Death live through World War II they find distractions in the stories that Liesel reads from the books she has stolen.
Summary: Narrated by Death, this is the story of a foster girl and her anti-Nazi family living in a small town in Germany as Hitler gains control and war erupts in Europe. Liesel’s first stolen book happens almost by accident after the funeral of her little brother. Although her foster parents are disappointed when her mother arrives with only one child, a girl not a boy as promised, they take her in and grow to love her. Struggling to make ends meet doing whatever they can, life in the working class neighborhood is hard-bitten and caustic. The opportunities for more stolen books keep presenting themselves to Liesel and her collection grows. She makes life bearable for herself and those around her including Max, the Jew they are hiding, with the diversion of the books and their stories. There are many “asides” from Death, some that clarify things and others that confuse, which may make it difficult for less strong readers to follow. is heart-wrenching and spell-binding.
Evaluation: This book can be very intense, with the backdrop of the Nazi’s growing control and WWII. The poetic style of Death’s narration is beautiful and thought provoking. Definitely a must-read and make sure you have your box of tissues.
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