I loved this book. I have read a lot on the Holocaust - historical fiction, biographies, and historical accounts - so I have somewhat of a fascination, but it was really great to read a book from a German point of view. I loved how Liesel was able to experience new worlds because of the books brought to her by her foster father. This book is also interesting because of the narrative told by Death. I could see how some might not enjoy this book, but I would highly recommend it.
I would recommend this book for my library (medium public library). ( )

After hearing several recommendations from fellow teachers about this book, I began reading it with great anticipation. However, the format of having Death insert bold notices throughout the narrative really turned me off in the beginning. Once I got over that, I really began to enjoy the story.

This is a wonderful view of Nazi Germany from the inside. It is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl growing up with a foster family in Molching, outside Munich. And it is the story of how the family took in Max Vandenburg, a Jew, and hid him for months in their basement.

Liesel discovers a love of reading thanks to her foster father and that is woven throughout the book. She learns how to acquire books – stealing them when necessary. The Book Thief is a great YA read, which I would highly recommend. ( )

This book is many things. 'Haunting' may be an egregiously overused cliché, but it's difficult to find a better word to describe a book set in Germany during World War II that is narrated by none other than Death himself. People seem to either love or hate this book, and I think most of that has to do with the writing style. Zusak does things that are generally not done. Words are spoken about as objects that can slap you in the face or roll to a stop at your feet. Colors come to you through Death's eyes, so the skies may be blue or yellow or brown or white. And beneath it all is a rhythm that grabbed me and pulled me through Liesel's world.

'Summer came.
For the book thief, everything was going nicely.
For me, the sky was the color of Jews.'

For me, an interesting aspect of this book is the view of the life of a young German living in poverty in Hitler's Germany. I have read a lot of Holocaust literature, but very little from the German point of view. And there is a good mixture of points of view here. You have Germans from both sides of the line -- those who would help the Jews, and those who would throw things at the helpers and scream 'Jew-lover'. Yet even the screamers have their softer sides.

Though the book is about Liesel, the book thief, one of the more interesting characters is Hans, her foster father. He is the one who makes it possible for Liesel to develop the love of books and words that eventually saves her life. He makes it possible for Liesel to love anyone at all, with his patience and compassion. And he's the subject of one of my favorite descriptions in the entire book:

'Papa sat with me tonight. He brought the accordion down and sat close to where Max used to sit. I often look at his fingers and face when he plays. The accordion breathes. There are lines on his cheeks. They look drawn on, and for some reason, when I see them, I want to cry. It is not for any sadness or pride. I just like the way they move and change. Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes.'

One of the things that really made this book come alive for me is something that you won't get if you're listening to it on audio, or perhaps even reading the ebook (depending on the format). At one point, Max, the Jewish man living in Liesel's basement, paints over the pages of his copy of Mein Kampf and writes and illustrates a story for Liesel. In the book you are treated to this story, complete with the faded words of Mein Kampf in the background. It was something so minor, but so powerful for me.

There *are* aspects to the book that are weak. The whole plot line with the mayor's wife comes off as a little undeveloped, and when Liesel decides to write her own life story, it's rushed through and then forgotten in the rubble. There are a few unanswered questions that I really wish had been answered, but I guess it's those unanswered questions that keep us thinking about a book long after we've closed it. Overall, I loved it. ( )

Audio version - one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened!!!! ( )

This book is a masterpiece. I'm not going to summarize it for you, because a summary is easy to find. Also, do not be fooled; this isn't a young adult book. Not that young adults shouldn't read it -- I think they should. But adults should not feel that they are above this book in the least.

The Book Thief offers something that we seldom see; a Holocaust story from a German civilian's perspective. And in this story, Zusak manages to do something I've been striving for for years in my writing, without getting very far. He makes a story that is simultaneously joyful and sad, which I think makes it all the more heartbreaking. I can not recommend The Book Thief highly enough. Read it. This is a book that is bound to be a classic.

(On a side note, woah, this book has some stellar characters) ( )