Annotation:
Liesel is a young girl growing up in Germany on the cusp of World War II. Unbeknownst to her she sparks Death’s curiosity who keeps tabs on her life over the years. Recommended for those 16+ because of dense language.
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| Bookcover provided by Google Image. |
Book Review:
It is the eve of World War II and Death is being kept busy collecting souls when he notices a young German girl on a train. Something about her sparks his curiosity and so over the years Death, as a silent and mostly removed observer, keeps tabs on her life. He watches as she becomes a foster daughter to a poor but kind accordion-playing painter and his stern, foul-mouthed but loving wife, learns to read and share words, steals food and books, befriends and helps hide a Jewish man, and deals with life and loss in Nazi-run Germany.
Overall, The Book Thief is a beautifully written story of love, friendship, the bravery of everyday people, and the power of both the written and spoken word set during a period of history which seemed to really need all of those things. I think both high school and public libraries could benefit from having this book in their collection both for its beautiful use of language as well as the unique historical perspective it offers on life as a German under Hitler. Although the book is beautifully written the length and density of the work would probably be more suited to older teens and adults who are interested in historical fiction, the Holocaust, or World War II. I can also see the book being used as a supplementary/ recommended reading in a European History class when the unit on the Holocaust and World War II is being taught.
Awards and Honorable Mentions:
2006 - Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Daniel Elliott Peace Award
Publishers Weekly Best Children Book of the Year
Booklist Children Editors' Choice
2007 - Michael L. Printz Honor Book
Interested in learning more about this book or author? Check these out:
Author Site: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/index.html
Interviews with the author:
March 23, 2006 audio interview on the Diane Rehm Show
April 13, 2006 interview on teenreads.com
May 1, 2009 YouTube interview posted by Random House Books
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