The Book Thief

BOOK NAME: The Book Thief
AUTHOR: Markus Zusak

Liesel Maminger is a thief. She has a habit of picking up books and taking them…for good. The Nazi book-burnings are where she is the most successful–she justifies that taking just one book won’t make a big difference. With the help of her accordion-playing foster Papa, Liesel learns to read. She feeds her soul with books and uses them to create a better world for herself and family.

I think the Jew that lives in Liesel’s basement, Max is my favorite character. The love he has for Liesel is just amazing. Max shows his fatherly love for Liesel by doing simple things, such as writing her a short letter, and she does the same in return. I like how Liesel’s foster mother’s personality unfolds; she acts bitter and mean, yet inside she is really kind and loving. One thing I don’t appreciate is how she curses at her daughter. The characters were all so different, but combined all of them made this book more than memorable.

This book was just flat-out amazing. It was well written and the author was incredibly descriptive! I’ve written a review on his other book, I Am The Messenger, and that one was just as superb. This author writes great books for young adults and teens.

Markus Zusak wrote this book from death’s point of view, so at times it was a bit complicated and confusing. Honestly, there were a few parts where I just read a whole page over again to understand it. I strongly suggest teens interested in reading this book to look up a sample page from the first chapter online before purchasing. I had to stop at times and let parts of the book sink in, but I also think that’s why I have truly loved it so much.

Comments

yellow
May 12, 2010, 11:51 am

Cool a new book to hear about!
escape2books
May 12, 2010, 1:58 pm

interesting…….. maybe i will read that. thank you for writing the review.
Taken_gurl
May 12, 2010, 2:52 pm

Looks creppy !
epebbles09
May 12, 2010, 3:03 pm

I read this book over a year ago and I have to say this is one of the best books I have ever read! The story is told by death. When I first found this out I was a little skeptic but I kept on reading. It was slow moving at first but about half way through it I couldn’t put it down. The author does an amazing job describing the characters. Also I love how there is a detailed back story for everyone. I’ll admit I’m a cryer when it comes to good books. And I balled the last 100ish pages. By the time you reach that point in the book you are so involved with the characters that the events that take place feel as if they are happening to your best friend.If you like history this is a must read! On a scale of 1to 10- 1 being YUCK, 5 being it was a good read I’d read the next book, 7.5 being I’d buy the book to own, 10 being it was the best book ever, I give this book a 9.86!
Brookiecookiex0x
May 12, 2010, 6:49 pm

For epebbles09
You said it was about history and I havnt read it so I’ takin your word for it so if I am failing my Social Studies class do you think I would like it??
I need your opinon !! Also i didnt read the reveiw so i wouldnt know but I saw the cover and it looks ok but im in to the teenager stuff im 14 …
Do yoou think i would like it???

~Brookelle
CherylByrel:D
May 13, 2010, 10:45 am

Wow.I didnt love I am Messanger,but I found it quite good,so I think i will definitely LOVE LOVE LOVE this book.thnks.oh yeah,@ Brookelle,it does not matter so much of your age if you really like a book.Me,I started reading Adult and Criminal fiction when I was 9.And I enjoyed it.But now,I seem to especially cherish the simple books,like Peter Pan and Heidi.Though they are simple tales,they tell of magic and excitement,of pleasantries that do no exist in today’s modern world.And thats my point of view.I am twelve now,and my choice of books is still as varied as ever.I know you are older than me,but I think I’ve got a clearer reasoning with books.That is,I learnt a very important thing which i dont think you have learned yet.It is that a story is a story,and that all we can do is to watch it happen before our eyes as we read it.Be it a futuristic story,a simple one,or as u suggest a ‘teenaged’ one.There really is no such thing as different types of books.All books are the same in one way-they are to entertain and enlighten us,and tell us that some questions in the world can never be answered,and there is something called hope in our darkest times.I am sorry if u think im being a priss and spoilt,but really,no one can truly enjoy a book unless they put away their preferences-for if the ending were that way,there would be no use in reading the story in the first place.In your case,you should not take books as age-catagorised,but what the book is itself.
miley456
May 13, 2010, 11:47 am

i cant wait to read it, i just finished reading the review.
love8fog
May 13, 2010, 12:31 pm

sounds like a good book… thanks for writing about this book:)

*love:)
athena12
May 13, 2010, 4:46 pm

did u say history uggh! pass hate h8 history.
cheops911
May 13, 2010, 5:08 pm

Hmmm… Interesting. Sounds creepy. That’s my kind of book
2whitie
May 13, 2010, 5:11 pm

im not too sure, about the plot or the point.
libbysibby
May 13, 2010, 6:39 pm

this book sounds REALLY good i might have to take a trip to te library…
bluestar1010
May 14, 2010, 2:41 pm

I would enjoy this book!!
Crocks04
May 14, 2010, 2:55 pm

My brother has read this book and said it was OK. I didn’t believe him!! I mean… death’s point of view… IT HAS TO BE GOOD!
jindo2108
May 15, 2010, 2:09 am

It sounds a little too creepy for me.
PatheticallyPathetic
May 17, 2010, 1:55 pm

yellow, I suggest you check it out!

escape2books, hey! That’s what I do this for!

taken_girl, it’s not. Just kinda sad and VERY dramatic. One of my new favorites.

epebbles09, it IS one of the best books! I enjoyed it so much!

brookiecookiex0x, oh, you’d love it! It has American History in it and I hate that, but this book was amazing! If you ever wanna ask a question, comment and I ALWAYS respond.

CherylByrel:D, you comment a lot on my reviews. Thanks! I like having your opinions! I’m sorry you didn’t love that book, but this book is better.

*ATHENA12,* I also HATE American History. I do suggest this book though. It made me view history SO differently! You should at least read the first few chapters!

2whitie, the plot is kinda… confusing. It doesn’t have a set plot. You should just try it out.

EVERYONE ELSE: This book is kinda creepy and weird and odd, but you should try it out. Don’t buy it if you are unsure. I wish I could mail you mine so you could borrow it!
jindo2108
May 17, 2010, 7:37 pm

All right….. I’ll try it….. I suppose…………:D
-jindo
jindo2108
May 18, 2010, 12:39 am

Oh, I don’t know…….. it sounds a little creepy. Perhaps….can some one persuade me?
epebbles09
May 18, 2010, 12:05 pm

Brookiecookiex0x- The book is set in Nazi Germany time so the events that take place in the book directly reflect the events that took place during that time. I am a history buff. So that could persuade my love for this book. I’ve told my friends about it and they loved it took. And they aren’t in to history. I work at a library and teens are coming in all the time and are loving it. I would say this is not a book for younger kids. The depth and thought required for this book is geared for older readers. I am 18 almost 19 and didn’t think it was too simple. It has a different point of view. Death? Really. This was what stopped me from reading it for a while. Then I finally said whatever and read it! It sounds creepy but it isn’t. It’s almost like the main character’s guardian angel is watching over her shoulder telling her story. For those of you who don’t like history don’t let that stop you from reading it. If you like thinker books. This is a good one!
Brookiecookiex0x
May 19, 2010, 7:44 pm

thinker bookS????
juju1234
May 20, 2010, 9:48 am

for me are good scary books and this sounds like one and it looks like there are a lot of book that have the word theif!!! i will try it!;D
PatheticallyPathetic
May 20, 2010, 8:41 pm

jindo2108, how about you just borrow it from the library and read a bit and see how you like it?

brookiecookiex0x, it’s ONE book and you do have to think a lot through it. I think that is one of the things I like best about it.

juju1234, I’m glad you’ll try it!

Your BlogEared Blogger Friend,
Emelie
futurecatlady
May 22, 2010, 5:08 pm

Ok this is where i drive by the library on my way to soccer practice, lol. sounds right up my alley although it sounded as though Max was the girls bf at first @_@
great job. how do you become one of the bloggers anyway?

FcL *_* that’s wat i like about u
PatheticallyPathetic
May 24, 2010, 5:29 pm

futurecatlady,
HEHEHE. Okay, I’ll try to make sure the role of the characters are obvious.

I entered into the contest they had and was one of the 3 winners.
CherylByrel:D
May 25, 2010, 4:40 am

FutureCatLady,thts wht u like about who?and u become a blogger by entering this contest nat geo has at the end of the year.sry if im vague,but im new to this too…

I guess I like history,but not the dates and the whatever but the fact that some of their stories are so unbelievable but totally real,plus i love learning new stuff.
PatheticallyPathetic
May 27, 2010, 12:17 pm

CherylBrysel:D, totally!
Learning can be fun if your teacher isn’t a weirdo that screams at you and stuff! hehehe
Katsi
May 28, 2010, 11:06 am

I read that book and finished just yesterday it was realy good I told it as a book report and my class and teacher loves it my teacher said we migt read it in our class.This is so awsome!
bookgirl539
June 13, 2010, 8:28 pm

I read this book and loved it! I have read a lot of other fiction (and non-fiction) about the Holocaust and this is one of the best books. I like how Death was the narrator, and I learned a lot German words (espeically swear words that have to do with pigs).
pandagirl
June 29, 2010, 3:11 pm

I love this book! but its so sad! everyone dies!
PatheticallyPathetic
July 17, 2010, 10:49 am

Pandagirl, it’s during the time period where many people die. It has some history in it! It’s worth it, though.

Your DogEared Blogger,
Emelie
starz321
July 19, 2010, 2:13 pm

This sounds amazing!!! Definitely my kind of book.
Thanks for reccomending it, Emilie!!
arianamus
July 22, 2010, 9:40 am

this sounds really good! except for the time period… i always tend 2 like books more if theyre in the present.
warriorkitkat6
August 12, 2010, 10:41 am

wow! it sounds really good! i love books that take place during World War II and books with the creepy factor so it sounds like i will love it! definantly on my must read list!
zoenightshade12
September 25, 2010, 1:29 pm

sounds cool! even though i don’t really like history, i’ll try it.
I:)

~zoe
zoenightshade12
September 30, 2010, 6:26 pm

I:(
i couldn’t find it in my library OR bookstore!

i’ll try again as SOON as possible!

I:)

~zoe
zoenightshade12
October 10, 2010, 11:28 am

is this book really confusing?????
cuz if it is, I’M SOOOOOOOOOOO there!

I:)

~zoe <3
DanielRadcliffe4586
June 4, 2011, 4:22 pm

What age do you suggest? I have a 6th grader who read it. He is like me, one who reads everything. So, what do you think?!
phink
February 2, 12:07 pm

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS BOOK!
Read it if you get the chance! I don’t usually re-read books, but I’m in the middle of doing it right now, that’s how moving it was. The description was AMAZING, and the pacing was perfect. But some parts had me confused because I didn’t know a lot about WWII at the time, although you don’t really have to know much about it to being with. I love this book because, unlike others, it’s narrated by Death. Yes, as in the Grim Reaper. He gives it a wonderful perspective, too; a view of the war that I would never had thought of. It was completely moving, MADE ME CRY. If you like day-dreaming, this book is for you. This book has won numerous awards and it’s for a good reason. I’ve heard lots of different opinions about what age it should be for. – My friend read it in 4th grade, the librarian said it was for 11th grade, I read it in 7th. I personally think it should be for about the 7th grade area because the most inappropriate things in it are swears in German and death. Buy it, rent it, borrow it, steal it, (just kidding), read it!