The Book Thief

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Downtown Teen, 1st Floor 4-week checkout	Teen Fiction / Zusak, Markus	4-week checkout	In transit
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Westgate Teen Books 4-week checkout	Teen Book / Fiction / Historical / Zusak, Markus	4-week checkout	Due 05-13-2024

Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

School Library Journal Review
Booklist Review
Publishers Weekly Review
Summary / Annotation
Fiction Profile
Excerpt
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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Book Thief submitted by GailS on August 24, 2007, 8:48am Don't miss this. It's a wonderful book, suitable for book groups.

Humans Don't Always Have to Tell the Story submitted by DBJC on June 3, 2008, 4:06pm It's Nazi, Germany. Hiding Jews are forbidden. Is there really a second chance, or life for those who try to survive? The book theif tries to read her life. Stealing books is her life. Death tells the story this time. The Jew. The girl.

Interesting Point of View... submitted by sbaccouc on November 4, 2009, 7:00pm Death is almost sympathetic here for the plight of those who he comes to get...very good read, but heavy. takes a bit to get used to the method of writing, but then you become engrossed.

Woot submitted by xjasx on July 20, 2011, 3:57pm You shouldn't miss out on this book it is AMAZING

Sad but Great submitted by tree64 on June 15, 2012, 2:25pm This book was very sad and touching for me, and I'm sure it will be for all age groups who are old enough to know about the tragedies of World War II. It describes the life of a girl whose mother gives her to a foster family to take care of. At first she struggles at being with her new family, she eventually fits in and lives a somewhat normal life. However, things begin to change and take a turn for the worse... This is a very emotional book, but it is very fitting to be used in book groups at school. Many teachers recommend this book, and I do too.

brilliant submitted by unknown on July 29, 2012, 1:13pm This is quite possibly the best book I've ever read, The characters became part of me. It would be a great book club read

Perspectives submitted by njdsilva on June 23, 2013, 11:00am The Book Thief is a fascinating book in which death is the narrator. Zusak creates a slightly fantastical, darkly humorous tone in order to address the sober subject matter. The Book Thief is a wonderful novel about a German girl's experience in the war.

Death submitted by Motomori on June 30, 2013, 2:55pm I know it's kind of creepy that this story is coming from the perspective of death, but it is still a brilliantly, beautifully written story about time in the 1940's. I would recommend this book to people who like historical fiction and something that is completely different and out of the ordinary.

Awesome submitted by michael007 on June 30, 2013, 6:13pm Awesome book

Hauntingly Beautiful submitted by DownesS on July 3, 2013, 9:39am This book was hauntingly beautiful. I was worried when I began reading it that it would be just another sad Holocaust story. I was wrong. This story, while taking place during the late 1930s and 1940s in Germany, discusses so much more than the Nazis and heinousness of the war and genocide of the Jews and other "enemies" of the Nazi Party. Beautiful book...just beautiful.

Gripping and Thrilling submitted by pbapat on July 23, 2013, 9:08pm since its narrated by death, the whole book has an interesting standpoint. i highly recocomend this book. its well writtten and it makes you think

unusual submitted by unknown on July 30, 2013, 3:06pm In an unusual literary twist, Death narrates The Book Thief, the astounding story of nine-year-old Liesel Meminger. As the Nazis take hold of Europe she is sent to live with foster parents in a small German town--where her book stealing career begins. Along the way she touches the lives of many, including a politician's wife, Rudy, a boy around her age, her new guardians, and Max, a Jewish refugee who for a time hides out in her basement. Called "brilliant and hugely ambitious" by The New York Times, School Library Journal said, "Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward." Amazon customers agree emphatically, describing The Book Thief as "beautiful, poignant, and captivating" as well as a "modern classic." Recognized with awards from Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly, among others, this 2006 Printz Honor book is truly a masterpiece.

Great read submitted by foxridgect on July 30, 2013, 7:40pm This is such an awesome book, be sure to read it sometime.

Amazing submitted by ehm on January 19, 2014, 3:53pm I just finished this book today, and I loved it! It has beautiful descriptions of things, and having Death narrate the story was a unique choice. It's really sad and dark, but beautiful at the same time. Read this book!

The Book Thief submitted by SBNB on June 22, 2014, 1:14pm It’s definitely a good book. I don’t know what else to say about it. It’s strangely narrated by Death, but it sucked me in.

Great submitted by Dannihu on July 9, 2014, 8:36pm Great

Cool submitted by wangaustin on July 10, 2014, 10:06am Interesting book

Review submitted by monus on July 16, 2014, 1:39am Nice and entertaining

Good submitted by bluepapaya on July 26, 2014, 1:44pm I really liked when death narrated, however I found it hard to relate to the main character.

huh submitted by eharvey on July 27, 2014, 9:05pm I always love a good story about the Holocaust. This was a fairly good one, but it was...unique. The narrator, "Death" made the book somewhat hard to follow, especially at the start. I am curious how this translated in the movie version.

book thief submitted by hcf on July 28, 2014, 4:57pm well done story that will suck you in

phenomenal submitted by jgryniewicz on August 1, 2014, 10:24pm This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. Beautiful, sad, and powerful.

Excellent submitted by pamhockey25 on August 28, 2014, 4:01pm Set in Germany in the years 1939-1943, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, narrated by Death. This is a very complex book, and well worth reading. It’s not the kind of book you can read in one sitting. The approach taken by the author is quite different and interesting. I definitely recommend it.

Amazing submitted by walbridge602 on June 12, 2015, 4:43pm I love books about WWII and this is my favorite. Great book for all you other WWII lovers!

good submitted by ifechijie on June 16, 2015, 11:08am really good book. like boy in the striped pajamas

I love this book! submitted by chioma on June 19, 2015, 10:54am This book was amazing and brilliant. I loved every bit of it. The laughs, the cries, the love, the bits of worry, the sadness to it. And even at how it ended with poor Leisel loosing hr mother, father and her best friend Rudy, I still loved it.

Great! submitted by Hjfinnie on July 7, 2015, 4:00pm This is a great book for teens and adults. It left me wanting more information on World War II.

Fantastic submitted by downing on July 25, 2015, 2:28am On many best books list and well deserved

Beautiful Story submitted by tomiwa on August 9, 2015, 10:49am This was an amazing story. The narrator, Death, tells the story of a young girl in Nazi Germany, relating the ups and downs of her life as she learns about the power of words. Death speaks of Liesel's family, the hiding of Jews, the thieving of books, and spins a story of love and hatred, darkness and light, and ultimately the undertakings of human beings.

Captivating. submitted by xiaoli zhang on June 17, 2016, 1:50pm A great story with an interesting viewpoint. It's beautiful and really makes you think.

sad submitted by kzheng on July 9, 2016, 5:14pm This book is realistic and not, sad and happy, frightful and wonderful. The holocaust was terrible, killing many innocent for the expense of who? Not just hitler, not just nazis, it was anyone who did nothing or did something. Many people turned away, unable to stand the horrors. People today still hold the scars of human cruelty.

Book thief submitted by jduffy12 on August 27, 2016, 2:57pm Well written and true to history

Deep and thought-provoking submitted by Susan4Pax -prev. sueij- on August 27, 2016, 3:54pm A Christmas gift from my son off my GoodReads To Read list, my book club read this some time before I joined. The bummer is that because book club read it, we chose it a couple of years ago as our December movie to watch, and so in a circumstance that almost NEVER happens, I watched the movie before reading the book. It really ruined the book for me.

But trying to separate the fact that I knew what was going to happen, the writing is outstanding. The main character is a young girl, but she has a fascinating cast of adults and other young children around her, and they are rich and well-depicted. The book is set in Hitler's Germany, and the push and pull of the times are nuanced and draw us in. The foreshadowing is wonderful, but again, was ruined for me by the fact that I had seen the movie.

An excellent book, deep and thought-provoking.

Holy sh-- submitted by Bobo34 on June 17, 2017, 4:59pm Very good book, its very sad and depressing but it really depicts the holocaust.

Book Thief submitted by mrondo on June 17, 2017, 10:04pm The story was engaging (and super sad) and the language was beautiful, but I wish the narrator hadn't spoiled what was to come so often. I think this is a book I need to read twice and the second time will be even better.

One of the Best submitted by Meginator on July 2, 2017, 9:34pm This is one of the best books that I have ever read, largely due to its effective use of Death, personified, as a narrator. This allows Zusak to add pointed asides throughout the book and illuminates the story's themes in ways that would not have been possible with a more conventional storytelling style. Death, here, has a distinct character and flavor, which in turn forces the reader to think deeply in a way that resonates beyond the story (which, itself, is well-conceived and -told). This book is poignant, beautiful, and nearly perfect.

BAAAADDDD submitted by MuffinzMainia on July 23, 2017, 1:42pm THIS IS THE WORST BOOK EVER PLEASE DO NOT READ IT'S POISONOUS.

Really Good submitted by hahahame on July 24, 2017, 7:59pm Lovely book, a bit sad but love the writing.

Really liked it submitted by KOH on August 12, 2017, 12:38am A really compelling, emotional story

loved it submitted by lobbak on June 16, 2018, 3:33pm I read this book back in middle school, and have loved the writing

So interesting submitted by Xris on June 19, 2018, 9:45pm Takes a little getting used to having Death narrate the book and give his two cents, but it's a great Holocaust book. :)

Great but sad submitted by steveiew on June 28, 2018, 4:40pm This book is excellently written. Having Death as a narrator makes the story different and very interesting. It is a story about the Holocaust so naturally it is extremely tragic and sad. Make sure to have tissues on hand.

Great submitted by Bigal2212 on August 22, 2018, 1:38pm Best historical fiction book I have read

Very interesting book submitted by JY 2005 on June 14, 2019, 10:37am The book thief is a sad, but very good book. Definitely recommend it.

noice submitted by dragonalex on June 15, 2019, 2:12pm noice

Great submitted by maria.wyche on June 18, 2019, 12:40pm Awesome!

Very cool submitted by lei01341 on June 18, 2019, 6:11pm Great

Great! submitted by gdweintraub on June 20, 2019, 9:31am A very good book that i would recommend

The book thief submitted by c_zhang on June 27, 2019, 12:29am A powerful and captivating book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

eeewf33wf submitted by Sara Taylor Eggleston on July 6, 2019, 1:51pm e e4wt 4

Enjoyed this book submitted by kferguson on July 21, 2019, 6:17pm I enjoyed this book as an adult. Heartwarming and sad at the same time.

Heartbreaking and Amazing submitted by Satvika on July 24, 2019, 8:01pm This one of the saddest and most inspiring books that I've read, but I love this book. Would recommend it for teens to adults.

Classic submitted by jcnnifer on August 15, 2019, 10:20pm Incredible story. Truly captivating and impactful.

Book Thief submitted by Clown81 on August 31, 2019, 3:15am I guess.

Good submitted by nimo_an on June 16, 2020, 3:32pm Its a good book

Great submitted by shinyitzou on July 13, 2020, 9:43pm This is a great, emotional book with a really interesting perspective. I highly recommend to everyone.

It submitted by nesma on July 27, 2020, 10:58pm Like it

Amazing! submitted by swapna_reddy on June 21, 2021, 1:35pm It was a great book!

One of my all time favorite books! submitted by LegendaryBookworm on July 28, 2021, 1:41pm Narrated by death, this story set in Nazi Germany is full of wonderful characters you'll grow to love. Think Anne of Green Gables, WWll edition. Be warned, though, if you're looking for something cheerful, I wouldn't recommend it.

OK submitted by Ilovetoeat on August 2, 2021, 1:07pm I agree with @unknown

ok submitted by angie. on August 2, 2021, 1:25pm good book :) c'est la vie bonjour amour super livre ! j'adore
nous avons besoin de la paix mondiale. Pourquoi? car nous vivons tous sur ce monde. imaginez ce que c'est de vous réveiller un jour et d'avoir peur pour votre vie parce qu'il y a une guerre. non, pourquoi devrions-nous faire ça alors que toi et moi pourrions vivre ensemble en harmonie ? eh bien, ne boostez pas votre ego, vous n'êtes pas meilleur que quiconque. même des présidents ou des dirigeants mondiaux. SURTOUT les leaders mondiaux. Comme, pourquoi es-tu tellement mieux que les autres même quand tu ne peux pas prendre soin de ton pays ? A moins que vous ne soyez le Seigneur Jésus ou le Dieu Père, que j'aime et adore tant. Mais nous devons créer un monde et une société meilleurs pour nos enfants et petits-enfants. Imaginez leur vie, en danger, ou même la vôtre. S'ils veulent vivre leur meilleure vie, nous avons besoin de paix. beaucoup d'amour à ceux qui sont militants pour ça ! Que Dieu bénisse tous ceux qui ont besoin d'être bénis, juste un petit message ! au revoir!

Loved it! submitted by rmbussa on August 2, 2021, 2:07pm What is so interesting about this book is that the narrator is death. I thought that was a great choice for this novel as I have never read something quite like it. Would recommend to many age groups!

Amazing! submitted by Tejasvi Ramanathan on August 22, 2021, 6:32pm I LOVED this book! The prose made it a really beautiful read, along with being an important one.

Awesome submitted by HockeyDude on August 26, 2021, 2:47pm great book

Great submitted by Syed Ali on June 15, 2022, 9:41am Great book

ss submitted by dhrustar on June 16, 2022, 1:52pm ss

Amazing Book submitted by SadieRose on June 21, 2022, 1:55pm The topics are just the right amount of deepness, and I love the creativity of how Death is the narrator.

great book submitted by umich.reader on July 9, 2022, 4:16pm Beautiful book. An excellent read.

Kids book? submitted by courtneyhooper on August 13, 2022, 12:04am I’ll never understand how this is classified as a kids/YA book. It’s heavy. But it’s great.

Great book submitted by Isha on August 23, 2022, 6:15pm Very touching and beautiful you really and fit into the character’s mindset

Really good book submitted by Isla on June 17, 2023, 11:48am Its a really good book, I recommend it