Book Review: The Book Thief

Book Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; First edition (March 14, 2006)
Book Type:  Young Adult
Pages: 560
Date: 11/17/2010

Summary: (from back cover of book) It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier even still. By her brother’s graveside, Liesel Meminger’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger’s Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found.

Opinion: I came across this book when a friend of mine recommended it to me.  At first I struggled a little bit with the writing style, but once I got over that I seriously could not put the book down.  I love historical fiction, especially when its about the Holocaust.  It was such an ugly time in the history of the world, but there is so much for us to learn from it.  It is also important to recognize those who fought for good, even when it was so hard to do.  In this book you will find people like this.  It is told about Germans, living in Germany, that were against the war and the evil that was going on.  "Death" is the narrator of the book, which is very interesting.  The book is definitely unique and tells such a powerful story. I do not want to give away a lot of details about this one because I want you all to read it!  It's not one of those happily-ever-after-life-is-all-roses-and-rainbows kind of books.  You might want a box of tissues nearby while you are reading.  But it is beautifully written and an incredible story to be told.  I would recommend this one for book clubs and anyone else that enjoys reading.  I think it is very interesting that it is classified as a young adult book.  I wouldn't have anyone younger than high school age read it.