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 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.
(Book synopsis taken from Barnes & Noble website @ www.bn.com.)
BOOK TRAILER:
28 comments:
After finally being able to peel myself from the gripping and thrilling 'I Am the Messenger,' I couldn't wait to indulge in a new fresh and exciting book. But such a book eluded me - that is, until the heroic Hinsdale Central Library staff ignited the light at the end of the reading tunnel. 'The Book Thief,' yet another book by Markus Zusak, has a way of filling you up with energy and swirling the air around you in mystery, just from reading the back cover. From the moment my eyes met the glossy hardcover book, both me and 'The Book Thief' knew it was love at first sight.
Hannah Eck/Saunders 1
1) I choose this book bucause I thought it would be very interesting. It is different from other books I have read recently. It is about a German girl during World War 2 and I thought It would be informative to hear about this time from a different perspective. Also it is narated by death which I thought was an interesting way to write the book. I am curious to see how death plays a role in the story. Everyone who has read this book loves it and hopefully I will to!
David Mirkhaef/Saunders/Period 1
I chose to read the book The Book Thief by Markus Zusak partially because I had already read one of his books I am the Messenger for summer reading, and I really enjoyed it. I had heard the two books were not similar, but I was interested in reading something else from this author. I also was interested in it because the book is written from the perspective of Death. I am curious as to how the author will personify Death because I have always thought of death as a state of being. Hopefully this book is as good as everyone says it is, so far I have liked it.
Linda Tung/ Timmons E1
1. At first, the fact that the narrator of "The Book Thief" had been revealed to be Death had sparked my interest. But then again, I've always been extremely partial to books that told stories of war and during that time, how it was perceived from one specific person's point of view. I do believe the book will not disappoint. Death does seem to me to be a fitting choice as the narrator for the descriptive and thoughtful recount I expect in this book.
Kevin Harris/ Timmons period 1
I chose this book because the librarians who had read it seemed to love it so much. It sounded like an interesting book with death being the narrator and all. I am also very interested in World War II, which also intigued me. I feel that I kind of relate to Liesel in that she likes to read. If I was in her position, at that day in age, im sure that I would steal books as well. I believe that The Book Thief is worthy of being an Abe book because I think many people would enjoy reading it; not only teenagers. I liked this book because of it being unique in that Death was the narator. like I said earlier, that drew me into this book, and continued to draw me into this book.
Grace Booth
I chose this book because i was very pleased with "I Am the Messenger". I was interested to read another book by this author. My olders sister recently read this book and had a lot of good comments about it. I thought it was very interesting to have the book's narrator be death. One thing I don't like about the book are all the German names because I easily get them mixed up.
Jessica Pachicano /Timmons p1
One of the main reasons I chose this book was because of the great reviews it always got from people. As soon as i saw the cover it already had my imagination going as to what exciting story it had to tell. Also i had read "I Am the Messinger"by Markus Zusak as well and thoroughly enjoyed the plot and little life stories folded within the novel. I knew this book would also include the things i enjoyed in his other book. Another reason I chose this book was because of the time in history it took place in. I always find WWII interesting and the German point of view is not an often one shared as to what happened in their nation that affected them too instead of just the jews. The most interesting of all was the narrator of this book that got me hook. The concept of death actually taking an interest in a particular story and narrating it instead of an actual person. It makes it more interesting and definately gives the impression that it is an important, exciting story to be heard.
I chose this book because last year in AP Euro, we learned a a alot about the holocaust. This topic interests me so I thought it would be a good read. Most holocaust books are usually very sad, but this one uses situational humor to lighten the mood to any reader. The step father(Hans Hubermann) in the novel is also a extraordinary character. He ranks up their with Atticus Finch as one of the greatest charcters of all time. I would recommend this book to anyone.
From the ABE awards book list, I chose "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. There are a few reasons why I chose this book. I read Zusak's other book, "I Am the Messenger", which is on of the best books I have read yet. In this book, he used a perspective and a type of language that was uniqur and interesting. As I continue reading "The Book Thief", I see that he is an expert at creating a different voice for each of his narrators. This book is about the Holocaust, which led me to be interested in it because I am fond of learning about World War II. I basically had to pick it up. The third reason is that the title is mysterious unless one reads through the book.
John Malkoski
I chose this book for a variety of reasons. First was the title. Books represent freedom and knowledge, and the act of stealing freedom, in my mind, was very symbolic. Second was the setting. Germany, at that period in time, was very strict and unforgiving. To steal a book, especially when they were being burnt en masse in the streets, struck me as being a noble and daring act. Lastly, Zusak's writing style itself drew me in. The way he writes - some sentences long and others where words just stand alone - helped grab my attention and highlighted the little details that appeared again and again. These were just my first impressions, but I found "The Book Theif" to be much better than my prior opinions to reading it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting and amazing read.
In certain novels, readers can sometimes relate to the characters and what they think. In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, I feel I can relate to the characters with certain actions, and with other actions, not so much. For instance, Liesel, the main character, goes through tough times and finds happiness in music. Her father plays the accordion to her when she is down. I also find much happiness in music because music can put me in a great mood just like Liesel. On the other hand, Rosa Hubermann, Liesel's adopted mother, is always angry at somebody and taking out her pain on other people. Hence, I cannot really relate to her because I try to drain my pain in healthy ways, such as music. Therefore, relations to characters in The Book Thief fluctuate from super-related all the way to no correlation at all.
There are a lot of interesting characters in "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak but I can not relate myself to any character in this book. Since the book is set in World War 2 the environment is a complete different one. I am lucky that I live in a stable family and a peaceful country which is not likely to have war in its own borders. So my feelings and experiences are completely different.
This is a great book and I can recommend it but I can not identify myself with one of the characters.
Jessica Pachicano/ Timmons p1
I can go both ways with relating to the characters, but i think i more fall on the side of not being able to relate. Although I can understand how and why the characters feel what they do, I haven't been close at all to being in the sort of situation they are. Much of the situations they are put in I could not imagine being in myself. If I were put in that situation though, I would probably handle it a similar way. I started feeling really bad for the characters when they didn't even have enough money to afford food and they had to steal instead. I have always been provided for and probly take a lot of things for granted. Leisel, however, does not have that luxury. She also doesn't have much sense of security under the government as well, where I do mostly have faith in my government to be looking out for my well being. I am very different from most of the characters because of the difference in experience and environment, so therefore I'm not really able to relate to the characters. I do feel very sympathetic for them though and Zusak does a very good job of making the reader feel like they're a part of and involved in the story.
I find I can relate to the protagonist, Liesel Meminger because of I share her love for reading. In the beginning of the book she was extremely enthusiastic about reading. She would stay up late with her step father, Hans Hubermann, in order to learn how to read. Hans Hubermann is also a character that is relatable to my life. He will never loose his temper at Liesel even if she does something wrong. He shares this trait with my father who will never loose his cool even in desperate situations.
Linda Tung/Ms. Timmons E3 (I put E1 last time...)
2. In the general idea of experiencing loss and hardships through life, I would be able to relate to most, if not all, of the characters in the book, "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. However, in this case, I believe there would have to be some exceptions. I have not lost anyone especially close to me (knock on wood), but I have lost people in another sense, as I believe other people may have. In other words, I've lost friends. They haven't passed away. Not in that sense. But mentally, physically, and emotionally, I've lost friends. Either our similarities ceased to be similar, or our differences were much too different. Therefore, in a way, I do suppose I relate to the characters in the book.
Yes, I believe the Book Thief was well worthy of being on the ABE List because it incorporates multiple unique writing elements into one solid novel. Markus Zusak goes above and beyond with creativity. First off, he uses a tremendously unique voice to narrate the story of a young girl in the midst of the Holocaust and WWII. The writer chose the setting with mastery as well. Liesel is the daughter of a Communist, who is forced into a new family. The sorrow of this event creates a mood that is unmatched by any book I have read yet. Also, the fact that Death is telling the story is very creative and unique because usually a person is telling the story. Overall, the book easily deserves being on the ABE list.
2) There are many ways that I can relate to the main charecter Leisel. She is very eager to learn and please her parents which I can relate to. Being a junior it is very important for me to do well in school. Leisel also has a mischievous side as well. If she thinks something isnt right she just ignores it. For example she steals the books that she isnt supposed to read. I am a little like leisel in this way but if I was living during that time I dont think I would break any rules. I wouldnt go as far as stealing like she does. But she does respect the people that are closest to her like her momma and pappa. I can relate to this because I dont like to let people who I love and respect down either. Leisel is also growing up in a very hard time. She has lost her family and is living with another family during World War two. I am very lucky to live where and when I do and I cant relate to her in this way.
1: I chose this book because I have heard nothing but great things about it. My sister read and it absolutely loved it and some classmates also read it and were also captivated by it. The plot seemed very interesting and unique to me, as I have never read a book in that time period. Finally, I was amazed and thoroughly entertained by Markus Zusak's book "I am the Messenger", so why not take my chances on this book?
2: I feel like I could best relate to Hans Hubermann. He is an extremely caring and compassionate person. I also have those qualities, yet maybe not to his extent. I do not know if I would have the courage of hiding a Jew in my home during the Holocaust. He also comforts Liesel, his adopted daughter, night after night from her horrible nightmares. Overall, I consider myself to be a good person, and Hans actually inspired me to work a little harder to be the best person possible.
3: This book definitely deserves to be on the Abe List. It mixed humor, action, and times of sadness into a gripping story. I enjoyed his writing style, and I felt myself drawn to this book. To conclude, this is an unbelievable book, and easily one of my favorites of all time.
VOTING:
1-The Book Thief
2-Inexcusable
3-The Good Guy
4-Aftershock
(Is the opposite of postscript superscript?) superscript: Disregard within my first comment the "both me and 'The Book Thief' knew" and replace it with "both 'The Book Thief' and I know." I am embarrassed.
2) Ever since I was given the honor of meeting Max Vandenburg, a wartime friend of Hans Hubermann, I knew that although he is centuries away I can see some aspects of his life reflected within my own life. The primary reason my family left Russia was because of the constant drafting of war-worthy men into the army. My father has had extensive training as a submarine officer and was at risk of being called back into the army. We used America as a refuge zone, much like Max was using the house as a haven from the Nazis.
3/4) To me, a good book must have a worthy plotline, interesting characters, and most importantly of all narration that attracts and sucks in readers as though it is a light for us moths. Fortunately, for once in my life a book required by school possessed all three of these characteristics. Twists and turns, characters that seem so realistic that you can almost see people you have met in real life within them, and the fresh style of narration made this book hard to put down. Does this book deserve to be on the Abe list? As a Russian proverb goes, "On color and taste, there is no friend," meaning roughly that no pair of people will ever have the same preference over such petty things, this book has earned a solid thumbs up from me, and I hope that contrary to this proverb 'The Book Thief' will be able to capture the minds of other teenagers through the Awesome Abe Awards system.
Linda Tung/ Timmons E3
3. "The Book Thief" did indeed hold my interest all the way to the end of the book. I usually read a book halfway through, get bored, and proceed to read another book. That, however, was not the case with Markus Zusak's. I never looked at another book while reading this one. (Well...I did look at a few.) But I finished the book, quite satisfied with what I had just absorbed. This book is definitely a good read and therefore I say that it is worthy of this year's Abe list.
I chose to read The Book Thief because it was by Markus Zusak, and I really enjoyed reading his other book I am the Messenger, so I thought The Book Thief would be another great read. Also, I enjoy reading about World War II and how the Jewish people were able to survive in Nazi Germany.
My life experiences could never parallel what Liesel went through in just a matter of years. I could never understand what it would feel like to be separated from my birth parents and to have my last memory of my old life die (Werner) before I ever made it to my foster family. But I can comprehend and relate to not only Liesel's drive for staying up late with her foster father Hans and learning to read, but also her need to get more books even if it wasn't legal. I have been through tough times in my life and in those moments I know I would do anything to find something to comfort me and anything to get it. In Liesel's mind books were her savior.
The Book Thief was worthy of being on the Abe List because not only was Markus Zusak's narrative writing style gripping, but it also allowed the reader to really understand the amount of death that occurred in 1939 Nazi Germany, and understand Deaths point of view as the narrator. It should also be on this year's Abe List because the book did a wonderful job explaining the pressure that the Nazi party was able to put on people like Hans who was forced into the Nazi party and like his family who allowed Max to stay in their home. The book was very well written and definitely one to read again.
3) Jessica Pachicano /Timmons p 1
I give this book credit a lot of credit for it's creativity throughout the whole novel. I definately think this book deserved to be on the Abe list this year. Zusak did a great job at always keeping my attention and keeping me interested in what new event would take place in Liesl's life. The effect that the narrator, Death, had on the story gave it a whole new perspective and mystical twist. The plot was well established along with all the descriptions of the characters and occuring events.Death gave the book a deeper meaning and readers can easily emotionally connect with all the characters and German view at the time in history. I had high expectations for this book and pretty much everything about it met them.
1. I mainly chose this book because i have heard and seen this book many times before but have never read it. I decided to take a chance and try it.
2. It was an excellent choice to read this book because i felt this was the second best one that i read from the abe list. Also, i have never read a book that was narrated by death and that made this a whole new experience.
3. I felt like i related to death in his personality sense of the book.
Hannah Eck/Saunders 1
3) There is no doubt that this book should be on the Abe list. I have never read a book from quite the same perspective before. It is a gripping story that keeps the pages turning. Death as the narrator is very captivating. I encourage other people to read this book as well. It gives a different perspective on World War two that many people have never heard. It is the war seen through a childs eye and how everything effects her. This is a touching story and i would recomend it to anyome looking for a good read.
The Book Thief has all of the elements of a great novel. It really keeps one’s interest, but still manages to give the reader history lessons, moral lessons, and ironic twists. The reader learns that Nazis not only persecuted Jews, but anyone whom they considered to be socially undesirable, such as Liesel’s “Communist” parents. Nazis also persecuted anyone who showed sympathy toward the undesirable. Liesel and her foster parents risked their lives by sheltering and showing sympathy for Jews. The book uses the sympathy for persecuted peoples to demonstrate how important it is to stand up for what one believes in. Hans and Liesel use their actions and words to “speak out” against anti-Semitism. Many Germans who did not agree with Hitler did not speak out against the regime, allowing the Nazi Party to become so powerful. This power also came from the use of propaganda. Liesel realizes the how the power of reading and writing can produce both good and evil. The combination of history, morality, and irony make this novel a great addition to the ABE list.
I chose this book for a couple of reasons. First my mom told me it was a good book when she saw I was looking at it. I also found out it was about WWII, and I have always been interested in that topic. I have seen many movies about WWII, but I have never actually read a narrative about it. I figured it would be interesting to see it from a different perspective.
The actual situation the characters are presented with makes it very difficult for me to relate. Nazi Germany is as different from present-day America as one could get. I have never had to deal with war, living with a foster family, or death in my immediate family. Although my situation is not as bad as hers I can still relate to how she deals with tough situations. She enjoys reading with Hans and listening to his music. I find my relief in videogames and conversing with my family.
At I had a hard time reading this book, since it was narrated by "death". As I progressed however I really enjoyed this book and understood it much better. It is a very intriguing novel and also has creativity on the authors part. It gives some historical context with the grim realities of war. This book went much deeper in my opinion than any of the other books I read. This unique and fascinating story definitely deserves to be on the Abe's list.
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