The Book Thief

The Book Thief

By Markus Zusak

103 ratings 112 reviews 164 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 9 - 12Grades 3 - 6Z+5.1118933

The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who 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.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780385754729
ISBN-10: 0385754728
Published on 10/15/2013
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 576

Book Reviews (108)

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By far, this is the best book I have ever read. The way Markus Zusak creates his characters is astounding. Death as a narrator adds depth and emotion to the story that is not found in many other books. Zusak made each character’s story unique in its own way, crafting differing quirks and personality traits for each character. He also chose a great setting for a story, a time where the world was torn in war. The Book Thief has many pages where it made me want to read and read forever. Zusak has added so much emotion to this book, wether it be happiness, thankfulness, sadness, or anger. I think this novel is for kids aged 12+ (10+ for mature readers), because there is some light cussing, but no words that are very bad. I love this book, and I think it will be a classic for years to come.

sassylettuce32 sassylettuce32

Such a good book! I couldn't stop reading it!

One of the best books I've ever read. I've always adored Markus Zusak's novels, they are perfectly written. Though, it is way above my league; not my grade at all. 9-12 grade, as I am only a fourth grade grasshopper. Total recommend it to the more advanced readers out there, especially if history is your thing (like me, haha).

hi hi

This was good

Best book EVER!!! Thrilling, heartbreaking, FANTASTIC!!

Very well written! I recommend it for readers.

I love this book, and the movie they are both so great!

The Book Thief is an extremely well written book with elaborate figurative language and descriptive settings. I really enjoyed the metaphors and diction that made reading the book very colorful and unique; it seemed as if all the scenes were vividly painted through words. Taking place in Munich, Germany, the book leads the reader through the life of Liesel Meminger. The book illustrates the hard life that Liesel must live as her family's situation gets worse and worse. She has to battle her personal problems of constant nightmares that haunt her every night, as well as keeping their secret of a Jew living in the basement of their home. Terror and poverty is a constant through her every day life, and she has to endure it. But the book also shows the small joys in her life: how she connects with Max, her foster father's accordion, and Rudy, a loyal friend that is by her side all throughout the book, as well as the books and writing. This book really allows the reader to absorb what is happening, and read about the complexities of each character and their actions/consequences. This is a very powerful and extraordinary book that I recommend everyone to read.

Sounds so good! Deffinitely on my list of books! Added to my wish list!

This book is really sad but the type of narration is really interesting and it makes the story more exciting.

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