Tolog Review: The Book Thief

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
reviewed by Grace Tighe 

The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak, is a historical fictional novel set during the time of World War II in Germany. As the book begins, nine-year-old Liesel Meminger is soon struck with tragedy with the death of her younger brother on a train heading to their foster family. Watching men shovel snow over her brother’s grave Liesel picks up a black book left by the gravediggers. Liesel takes the book and her actions would soon lead to change her whole life. Through midnight lessons and basement classes Liesel learns and develops a love for reading from her foster father Hans Hubermann. The Book Thief goes through the life of the book thief, Liesel Meminger, and her brave actions in order to find the importance in literature. This book will cause you to laugh with Ms. Huberman’s vulgar language and Mr. Hubermann’s witty comebacks and give you anxiety when the family decides to hide a Jew, Max, in their basement. Narrated by death, the clever Markus Zusak gives you an insight on the horrors from World War II. The Book Thief is recommended for teenagers who are in search of a historic, meaningful story and for an introduction to the terror those before us suffered during World War II.