1. The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak

2. Markus Zusak Born in 1975 Sydney, Australia
Parents raised in Germany/Austria during WWII
Inspired by their stories
I am the Messenger
Printz award and first general acclaim

3. Background & Setting
NYT bestseller list for eight years (& still goin’)
Published in 2005
Narrated by Death…
Nazi Germany,
Working class neighborhood
Molching, Germany—Himmel St: “Heaven”
Picture of war torn lives & the power of words
Key characters:
Liesel Meminger
Rosa & Hans Huberman
Rudy Steiner
Max Vandenburg

4. Liesel Meminger 10 yrs. old at start of novel
Parents taken & presumed dead (accused communists)
Brother dies at novel’s open—orphaned & alone
Illiterate, but learns to read: empowered by books.
Books = hope & strength
Traumatized, but kind and inspiring

5. Hans & Rosa Huberman Take in Liesel Poor/working class
Hans: gentle, patient, and humble. Teaches Liesel to read
Rosa: seems harsh, but loves fiercely.

6. Rudy Steiner Liesel’s best friend Shows her true friendship and love
Ironic paradox: Hitler’s version of Aryan perfection, both blond and athletic, but Rudy’s hero is Jesse Owens.

7. Max Vandenburg
Jewish—hidden from Nazis in basement & protected by the Hubermans
22 yrs. old
Survivors guilt
Friendship with Liesel—she reads to him; he writes her stories.