The protagonist of the book, Liesel is also its moral center. Having lost her father because of his Communist sympathies, and soon thereafter her brother and mother, she understands the pain of loss, and these experiences inform her actions and attitudes towards the other characters.

Liesel changes from an angry, distrusting character to one who deeply loves her family and friends. By the end of the book she has a strong personal moral code, and is not afraid to endanger herself to enforce it. Read an in-depth analysis of Liesel Meminger.

In Zusak’s The Book Thief, Liesel Meminger learns that when someone in her life dies, there will be someone else there to pick her up. She also learns that life is full of dark and light moments, but mostly dark ones. At the beginning of the book, for example, Liesel’s little brother dies and her mother gives her away.

Books are categorized into different genres of literature. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a historical fiction novel, which means that it is a fictional story that is set and told through historically accurate time period and events.

Percival had to receive government permission to perform the song on the German set since it, and any other songs or symbols pertaining to the Third Reich, are banned in the country. Despite the emotional difficulty in performing the lyrics, the choir agreed because it felt the educational message was vital, he adds.

The Book Thief is sad. Amidst a backdrop of loss and unimaginable pain, The Book Thief manages to convey some authenticity and emotional bravery, although the final result is, unfortunately, ultimately, mostly forgettable.

Death And The Afterlife

• Liesel Meminger.
• Rudy Steiner.
• Max Vandenburg.
• Hans Hubermann.
• Rosa Hubermann.
• Death.
• Frau Ilsa Hermann.
• Werner Meminger.

Talk to your kids about Families can talk about what makes The Book Thief a young adult title, even though it’s also very popular with adult readers. What separates a young adult novel from being either a children’s book or an adult novel? Liesel steals books that the Nazis have banned or tried to burn.

The Book Thief is a book that will fill your heart and break it at the same time. Every character is incredibly fleshed out and developed, and the writing is fantastic. The book does have some iffy parts to it, but I think it is fine for a mature 12-13 year old.

Overall I would rate it 8/10, and recommend it to anyone aged 13 and upwards, as it is a serious story, and may not be fully understood by those younger. Want to tell the world about a book you’ve read?

11 year old

In 1938, young orphan Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson). When Hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language. Liesel grows to love books, even rescuing one from a Nazi bonfire. Though Liesel’s new family barely scrape by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they secretly shelter a Jewish boy whose father once saved Hans’ life.

Some will argue that a book so difficult and sad may not be appropriate for teenage readers. “The Book Thief” was published for adults in Zusak’s native Australia, and I strongly suspect it was written for adults. Adults will probably like it (this one did), but it’s a great young-adult novel.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is my favorite book of all time. The story follows a young girl named Liesel Meminger growing up in Nazi Germany. I first read it in 6th grade, but it is definitely not a story for just children. It is good for any age, and common sense media rates it for kids 13+.

Novel

Zusak, an Australian author, has said that writing the book was inspired by two real-life events related to him by his German parents: the bombing of Munich, and a teenage boy offering bread to an emaciated Jew being marched through the streets, ending with both boy and Jewish prisoner being whipped by a soldier.

Markus Zusak

Markus Zusak was born in 1975 in Sydney, Australia, the youngest of four children of immigrant German and Austrian parents.

Primary Characters Liesel Meminger is the book thief. She is 9 years old at the beginning of the story, when after the death of her brother she is taken in by the Hubermann family.

Max gives Liesel a story called “The Standover Man” for her birthday. What is the significance of this story? 8.