The Book Thief

"The Book Thief", by Markus Zusak, is the story of a little girl who steals and feeds her soul with books.  It is an interesting story told from the perspective of death.  The story takes place in Nazi Germany in 1939.  The little girl loses her family at the beginning of the story.  Death witnesses her first book snatching, and remembers her as he continues to bump into her on his path.  This is a story of survival, love, and integrity.  

This book is a historical fiction.  Galda, Cullinan, & Sipe (2010) explain that this genre of book should depict attitudes and events which are consistent with the historical evidence of the time period with social issues honestly portrayed (p. 257).  I believe this book accomplishes that task.  It also is an excellent narrative, evoking strong feelings from the reader (it did from me anyway, including tears!).  The theme echoes a larger historical concern and the characters are well developed (Galda, Cullinan, & Sipe, 2010).  This is an advanced book, for children 12 and up, so there aren't many pictures in the book.  The pictures are of a story written for her, and excerpts from books she has stolen.  The author uses beautiful language to paint a picture to the reader.  There is also different types of fonts used in the book to create a unique feeling in this story.

Reader Response Questions:
1. What does death see first? How does this continue to be a theme throughout the book?
2. What lessons or qualities do you think the girl learns from her step-father?
3. What are some things the girl and the man in the basement have in common?
4. How is your response to this story after reading it different from your initial feelings about the book when you started reading it?

Motivational Activity:
1. At one point in the story the little girl risks the possibility of death by helping her jew friend she sees marching down the street and giving him some bread. Write about how you felt when you read that experience.  How far are you willing to go to help another human being?  
2. In this book there are several examples of respect and disrespect for other human beings.  Saint Leo University has chosen respect as one of the core values for students and faculty to live by (Saint Leo University, n.d.).  Write about an example of respect that you read in the story that stood out to you.  What are some ways we can show more respect for those around us?

This story touched on the dignity of human life.  How to live with dignity, how to retain it, and how easy it is for some to lose.  

References

Galda, L., Cullinan, B., & Sipe, L. (2010). Literature and the child
       (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. 

Saint Leo University. (n.d.).  Core Values. Retrieved from 
       http://www.saintleo.edu/about/florida-catholic-university.aspx

Zusak, M. (2005). The book thief. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.