Bibliography
Zusak, Markus, read by and Allan Corduner. The Book Theif. New York: Listening Library, 2006. ISBN: 9780739337271
Plot Summary
It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . . Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist - books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
Critical Analysis
Allan Corduner is the voice of Death, the narrator, of this World War II-era story. The richness and depth of his voice along with his european accent make him the perfect choice to bring this amazing story to life.
Death is very busy in Nazi Germany but he does have a little time to tell the story of Liesel Meminger, our book thief. The story line is realistic, the characters are complex, interesting and likable. Even Mama, who calls everyone a pig, grows on you throughout the book. Zusak doesn’t shy away from telling the hard truth of what went on during WWII: discrimination and eventual extermination of the Jews, political propaganda, children being taken away from their parents and placed in foster families due to political beliefs, how boys are expected to join Hitler’s army when they reach a certain age, starvation, thievery, suicide, standing up for what you believe is right, and the human belief in hope. All of these themes combine to create a wonderful, compelling story. I found myself cheering for Rudy, admiring Hans Hubermann, crying for everyone on Himmel street, and hoping for a better future for Max and Liesel. This was by far, the best book I have read all year. I highly recommend it.
Awards and Excerpts
American Booksellers Book Sense Book of the Year (ABBY) Award, 2007 Winner Children's Literature United States
Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year, 2006 Honorable Mention Best Book for Older Teens United States
Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year, 2006 Honorable Mention Favorite Book to Handsell United States
Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year, 2006 Winner Favorite Novel of the Year United States
Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year,
2006 Winner Most Memorable Character in a Lead Role United States
Cybil Award, 2006 Finalist Young Adult Fiction United States
Garden State Teen Book Award, 2009 Winner Fiction Grades 9-12 New Jersey
Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, 2008 Nominee United States
Indigo Teen Read Award, 2010 Nominee Best All-Time Fave Canada
Michael L. Printz Award, 2007 Honor Book United States
National Jewish Book Awards, 2006 Winner Children's and Young Adult Literature United States
Parents' Choice Award, 2006 Gold Fiction United States
Quill Awards, 2006 Nominee Young Adult/Teen United States
Sydney Taylor Book Award, 2007 Winner Teen Book Award United States
Thumbs Up! Award, 2007 Honor Book Michigan
Amazon Editors' Picks: Top 10 Books, 2006 ; United States
Book Sense Children's Picks, Summer 2006 ; American Booksellers Association; Top 10; United States
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2006 ; Booklist Editor's Choice; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2006 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Capitol Choices, 2007 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Choices, 2007 ; Cooperative Children’s Book Center; United States
Horn Book Fanfare, 2006 ; Horn Book; United States
Kirkus Best Children's Books, 2006 ; Kirkus; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, January 15, 2006 ; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to Ninth Edition, 2007 ; H.W. Wilson Company; United States
Notable Books for a Global Society, 2007 ; Special Interest Group of the International Reading Association; United States
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2007 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States
Outstanding International Books, 2007 ; USBBY/CBC; United States
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books, 2006 ; Publishers Weekly; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, January 30, 2006 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Best Books, 2006 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, March 2006 ; Cahners; United States
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2006 Supplement, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson Company; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2007 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2007 ; American Library Association; United States
Tayshas High School Reading List, 2007-2008 ; Texas
School Library Journal review excerpt: “Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of sophisticated teen and adult readers. Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward. Death is not a sentimental storyteller, but he does attend to an array of satisfying details, giving Liesel's story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves. An extraordinary narrative.”
BookList review excerpt: “The astonishing characters, drawn without sentimentality, will grab readers. More than the overt message about the power of words, it's Liesl's confrontation with horrifying cruelty and her discovery of kindness in unexpected places that tell the heartbreaking truth.”
Connections
Other Books by Markus Zusak:
I Am the Messenger (2006)
Getting the Girl (2003)
The first chapter of the book is available at Random House: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/196153/the-book-thief-by-markus-zusak/9780375831003/?view=excerpt
Links to discussion guides on The Book Theif:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/reading_guides/detail/index.cfm?book_number=1755
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/teachers_guides/9780375842207.pdf
If you liked The Book Thief, try these:
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (2012)
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (2006)
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