Book Review of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

1.     Bibliography

Zusak, M. 2007. The book thief. Knopf books for young readers. ISBN: 9780375842207

2.     Plot summary

We follow a young girl named Liesel and her life that unfolds in Germany during the Nazi years.  Following her brother’s death, Liesel is put into foster care when her mother can no longer care for her anymore.  When she meets her foster family, she feels lost and alone but finds comfort in learning to read books.  She has taken some books from time to time, and it takes lessons from her foster father and school for her to finally be able to read them.  Liesel makes friends with the mayor’s wife, and she gives Liesel access to their library.  We also see Liesel’s friendship with a Jewish man, Max that her foster parents are hiding from prosecution.  When hard times hit Liesel’s foster family, she tears up a book and vows never to read any more lies.  The mayor’s wife and Max encourage and inspire Liesel to write her own book and ultimately this decision saves her life.

3.     Critical Analysis

In this book by Zusak, we can see the power of humanity and how words can be someone’s inspiration and hope when all seems lost.  The book is narrated by Death or what Zusak has portrayed Death to be.  We see little remarks throughout the book that give insight on how Death is thinking and the reasoning behind their actions.  In different outlooks some may see Death as silent and harsh but, in this book, Zusak portrays it as more relaxed, calm, and having a sense of comfort.  With a narrative book, you get a good grasp on the third person viewpoint and how others react to different situations in the book.  When Liesel’s brother dies you can see how she reacts versus how Death feels in this situation.  I think this book shows young readers the power of their words in books and how they can make a difference in people’s lives by what they do and speak.  This novel also shows readers that no matter what background you come from, people always can find something they have in common and how books can foster that connection.  You can also get some historical background into Hitler’s rule and how the common people make their lives work in the middle of a war and the hardships they faced.  Ultimately, this glance into the lives of German people during Hitler’s rule can show you that people can still be kind and find comfort in books even when their lives are in shambles. 

4.     Review Excerpts

"Elegant, philosophical and moving...Beautiful and important." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"Exquisitely written and memorably populated, Zusak's poignant tribute to words, survival, and their curiously inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just read but inhabited." -The Horn Book Magazine, Starred

5.     Connections

*I would have students compare this book to other books that feature Hitler’s rule like:

- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

- Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys