1. The Book Thief By Markus Zusak 4/1/2017 2:23 PM
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2. Background to the Book
Setting—beginning in 1939, going to Molching, Germany then in Molching (a fictional town but perhaps might be Olching, Germany); covering from
Barracks and ammunition factory at
Dachau, Germany, March or April 1933

3. Narrator--Death **HERE IS A SMALL FACT *** You are going to die.
I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about this whole topic, though most people find themselves hindered in believing me, no matter my protestations. Please, trust me. I most definitely can be cheerful. I can be amiable. Agreeable. Affable. And that's only the A's. Just don't ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.
***Reaction to the *** AFOREMENTIONED fact Does this worry you? I urge you--don't be afraid. I'm nothing if not fair.
--Of course, an introduction.
A beginning.
Where are my manners?
I could introduce myself properly, but it's not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away."

4. Characters Liesel Meminger—age 9-14 during the chronology of the book
Rosa Hubermann—Liesel’s foster mother
Hans Hubermann—Liesel’s foster father
Max Vandenburg—a Jewish man
Rudy Steiner—athletic young man who becomes Liesel’s friend
Frau Holtzapfel—neighbor who spits on Hubermanns’ door

5. Symbols The Grave Digger’s Handbook The Shoulder Shrug The Whistler
The Dream Carrier
The Complete Duden Dictionary and Thesaurus
The Standover Man
“The Word Shaker”
Hans’ accordian
Himmel Street
Gifts

6. Themes Human cruelty vs. self-sacrifice Identity Fantasy Death/dying
Friendship
Literature and the power of words

7. Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak speaks with Good Morning America’s Charlie Gibson about The Book Thief
Markus Zusak speaks with School Library Journal about The Book Thief