The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Summary
The Book Thief is about a girl named Liesel Meminger who is living with her foster parents during world war two. They live in Munich Germany at the time of Adolf Hitler's rein. Her family does not have much money, & it doesn't help at all that there is a Jew hiding in her basement. The only places she finds happiness is in her best friend, Rudy Steiner, & reading.
Liesel Meminger
Liesel Meminger is a kind, smart, clever, intelligent, and compassionate girl. She loves to read & play soccer with her neighborhood friends. Her best friend is Rudy Steiner who lives next door. They pretty much do everything together. Rudy & Liesel even steal together, which is their favorite hobby.
Hans Hubermann (Papa)
Hans Hubermann is Liesel's foster father. Even though he isn't her biological father, they still have an extremely close relationship. Papa is a painter, but he doesn't get much work. Liesel enjoys going to his jobs with him sometimes, and he tells her jokes while the paint drys. They both love days like this. Papa plays the accordion so sometimes he can make extra money through that. Everyone in the neighborhood also likes listening.
Narrator
The narrator of The Book Thief is someone everyone meets once in their life, Death. At the beginning of the book, Death comes in and talks a little about himself, and how he is going to be telling the story of a girl named Liesel Meminger. Throughout the book, he tells us how he has been all over during the war. Picking up souls and carrying them high above the clouds in his pockets.
Setting
The setting of The Book Thief is in Munich, Germany in 1942, during World War II. It is a very cloudy town, not just because of all of the smoke from the war. It rains often and it is a rare occasion when the sun shines.
Genre
The Book Thief is historical fiction. It says in the book that it takes place a long time ago during World War II. They don't have actual bath tubs or modern appliances either, so it is easy to tell that the book doesn't take place in any recent time.