A Review of The Book Thief

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

Above is the description in the book that Marcus Zusak wrote about The Book Thief.  First off, there was a second description of the book in my copy, that I do not currently have with me, that tells you that this book is from the perspective of death.  This is just a forewarning that if you aren't into really dark, and kind of creepy ways of telling a story that this may not be for you. 

This book is set in the time that World War II took place in a little town in Germany.  It follows the story of a girl named Liesel Meminger who's brother dies in a train of an illness that he had.  When he is buried she steals her first book, The Gravediggers Handbook.  At first, it was just a keepsake to remember the last time that she had seen her brother.  But eventually she wanted to learn to read this book.  By this point she was forced to live with foster parents, the reason I can't quite remember at this point.  She asks her foster father if he would teach her to read one night when she is woken up from a nightmare that she has every night.  During this time he started teaching her how to read and write.  Over time she got better at reading and eventually she got done with the first book.  Then, she wanted to read more.  As the story progresses it goes through her life in Nazi Germany and how she handles challenges along the way.

I personally had a really hard time putting this book down.  I loved every second of it.  Before I read this book, I read the acknowledgements in the front and it said that it was destined to become a classic.  I believe that this will be one day.  It truly should become one.  Also, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars because of how well written this book is and how it intrigued me from start to end. I suggest that anyone thirteen and up read this book because it is that amazing and I know you would love it.  This also isn't just a book for girls.  This is definitely for mixed genders. 

Overall, I hope that you guys enjoyed this review.  I tried to do better than I did with Beneath the Glitter on this one.  But, I was also more passionate about this one than the other so that probably made a difference in what I wrote down. 

Until the next review,

-Aly