The Book Thief Background

The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak

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Background Information

Author/Book

LiteraryElements

Characters

Information

Themes

Summary

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Setting

Markus Zusak

Bithdate: 23 June 1975Birthplace: Sydney, AustraliaAge: 48 Books: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry, The Messenger, The Book Thief, Bridge of Clay Occupation: English Teacher

Markus Zusak

Awards: 5 for The Book Thief 6 for The Messenger 1 for When Dogs Cry 1 for Fighting Ruben Wolfe

The Book Thief

Genre: Historical, Coming-of-Age, Holocaust Published: 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia

Foreshadowing

a warning or indication of something that is to come

Hyperbole

an exaggerated statement used to create emphasis or make a point

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things

Motif

a repeated pattern—an image, sound, word, or symbol that comes back again and again within a particular story

Personification

an author gives human characteristics to nonhuman things

Point of View

identity of the narrative voice; the person or entity through whom the reader experiences the story

Irony

one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite

Simile

a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using like or as

Theme

a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature

Symbolism

using an object or a word to represent an abstract idea

Themes

Love: focuses on characters learning to love in the midst of great hate Literature/Writing: analyzes the power of words War: explores war's impact on lives an the purpose of it

Themes

Mortality: questions the purpose and impacts of death Identity: evaluates the importance of identity and how they are created Crimes: explores the purpose behind crimes and what the true definition of "wrong"

Themes

Suffering: evaluates the purpose of suffering Courage: wonders how it is possible to have courage in the face of adversity

Setting

Where: Molching, Germany (fictional)"Near" Munich Most events happen on Himmel StreetWhen: 1939-1942 (WWII)

The Book Thief Trailer

Death

Death narrates the story of "The Book Thief". He tells the story of WWII and Leisel Meminger from his point of view. He experiences human-like emotions and feelings.

Liesel

Liesel in the protagonist (main/most prominent character) of the story. Throughout the book, she learns to trust and love while questioning the world's morality.

Hans Hubermann

Hans is Liesel's foster father. He is a main character. He works to gain Leisel's trust and teach her to have a strong moral code.

Rosa Hubermann

Rosa is Liesel's foster mother. She comes off as a gruff and impatient person. However, her actions speak louder than her words.

Ilsa Hermann

Ilsa is a supporting character who bonds with Liesel through their love of books. Liesel helps her grow in the book.

Max Vandenburg

Max is an essential supporting character in the book! He is Jewish and his bond with Liesel grows in chaos.

Rudy Steiner

Rudy is an imporant supporting character. He and Liesel become best friends. However, the war tests their friendship and loyalties.

Reflection Questions

Reading 4

Reading 7

Reading 8

Reaction Questions

Prologue

What emotions or ideas do you associate with these colors? red, white, black

Reaction Questions

Prologue

While reading the prologue, keep track of what colors are mentioned and what they represent. Why are those colors chosen?

Reaction Questions

Prologue

How do Death’s descriptions of colors enhance your understanding of the themes in The Book Thief? What do these colors reveal about Death's perspective on humanity? Find at least one quote to support your thoughts.

Reaction Questions

Reading 1 19-55

1. What book does Liesel steal?2. What does Himmel mean in English? 3. What instrument does Hans play? 4. What does Rosa do for work? 5. What game do the kids play on Himmel street? 6. What does Rudy challenge Liesel to do? Why?

Reaction Questions

Reading 1 19-55

Group 1 - Characterize the narrator. What kind of "person" are they? Group 2 - Summarize the first death in the novel. What color is associated with this death? What could it symbolize? Group 3 - What motivates the narrator to keep the girl's book? What does the narrator hope to prove with it? Why? Group 4 - Why does Liesel's mother give her up to foster care? Characterize Rosa Hubermann. What kind of person is she? Group 5 - What color is Hans Hubermann? Why is that an appropriate color?

Reaction Questions

Reading 2 - 36-55

Group 1 - What does Liesel's nightmare reveal about her? Group 2 - What does Hans' accordion symbolize to Liesel? Group 3 - Characterize Rudy. What kind of person is he? Group 4 - What is Frau Diller's golden rule? Why do you think she has this rule? Group 5 - What effect does Rosa's swearing have on others? Does she do it to be rude?

Reaction Questions

Reading 3 - 56-80

Group 1 - What is the "Jesse Owens Incident" about? What is the purpose of the narrator telling the story? Why was it dangerous for Rudy?Group 2 - Why do you think the author includes the statistics about Hilter's support in 1933? What does this tell us about the novel's characters and events? Group 3 - What do "The Smell(s) of Friendship" represent? Why is that the section title? Why are they important? Group 4 - What is Hans' attitude toward the start of the war? Why does he have this view? Group 5 - Why does Liesel try to read in front of the class? What is her motivation? Why is it important?

Reaction Questions

Reading 56-80

1. What does Rudy do that get him into trouble? 2. What happens with Liesel that prompts the midnight reading classes? 3. What does Liesel do first to learn how to read? 4. What are the two smells of friendship? 5. What does Liesel read in front of the class? 6. What does Sister Maria do to Liesel when she misbehaves?

Reaction Questions

Reading 4 - 83-122

1. Approximately how long did it take for Liesel to steal her second book? (time between the two thefts)2. What presents does Liesel receive at Christmas? How are they paid for? 3. What birthday present does Liesel give to herself? 4. Why does Liesel have to go to the Hitler birthday celebration? 5. Who does Liesel help during the book-burning event? 6. What is the name of the book Liesel steals? BONUS - What are the names of the Hubermann's TWO children? Who sees Liesel steal the book from the pile?

Reaction Questions

Reading 4 - 83-122

Group 1 - How is the war affecting people in Molching? How does this affect the Hubermann household? Group 2 - What does Liesel overhear Hans and Rosa talking about? Why does it upset Liesel? Are Hans and Rosa right to not include her in the discussion? Group 3 - What is "Dead Letters" mostly about? Why does it include a 'flash forward'? Group 4 - What does Hans Junior call Hans? Why? Is Hans courageous to not join the Nazi Party? Why or why not?Group 5 - Why is there a book-burning event? What does it mean for Germany? Why is it symbolic in the novel?

Reaction Questions

Reading 4 - 125-156

1. What book does Hans buy? 2. How does the mayor's wife react to Liesel book thievery? 3. Who is coming to the Hubermann household? Why? 4. What is one attribute of summer? Bonus point for each additional (4 total) 5. What happened to Ilsa Hermann's son? 6. What do Liesel and Rudy buy with the money they find?

Reaction Questions

Reading 4 - 125-156

Part 1: Drawing (Visual Representation) WITH A PARTNER Create a scene illustration: Choose a significant moment from your assigned section and illustrate it. Pay attention to details, such as character expressions, setting, and mood. Be sure to draw a scene the has essential objects to the book! Part 2: Writing (Reflective and Analytical) SOLO! Write a character perspective journal: Imagine you are one of the characters in your section. Write a journal entry about their thoughts and emotions during the scene. The journal should be 10 sentences total!

Reaction Activity

Reading 6 - 142-170

1. What did Max do right before leaving his hiding place?2. How do Rudy and Liesel steal from Otto Sturm? 3. How do Rudy and Liesel get money for mixed candy?

Reaction Activity

Reading 7 - 173-204

1. How does Hans survive WWI?2. What does Hans give the Vandenburg family before he leaves? 3. In 1933, why does Hans lose painting business? 4. How does Max meet Walter Kugler? 5. How long does Max stay in hiding? 6. How does Rosa respond to Max's arrival?

Reaction Activity

Reading 8 - 205-238

1. Where do Hans and Rosa move Max when it's too cold in the basement? (Day and night)2. What book is Liesel reading in the Hermann library? 3. What does Max have nightmares about? 4. How does Max draw himself in "The Standover Man"? 5. Who is the "standover man" in Max's story? 6. What does Max write his story on?

Reaction Activity

Reading 9 - 240-266

1. What image does Max paint on the basement wall after Liesel gave him the "weather report"?2. What do the Hubermanns, Liesel, and Max do in the basement together? 3. Why does Liesel confront Ilsa Hermann?

Reaction Activity

Reading 10 - 267-303

1. Why does Rudy get in trouble at Hilter Youth?2. Who is the new leader of the stealing group? 3. How does Max spend most of his time in the basement now? 4. What is Rudy force to do at the last Hitler Youth session? 5. What does Liesel steal and from whom? 6. What does Rudy forget after Liesel successfully steals the item from question 5? 7. What does Rudy try to steal at the market? 8. Who sticks up for Rudy at the market? 9. What does Rudy do that results in Franz Deutscher beating him up?

Reaction Activity

Reading 10 - 267-303

Group 1: Rudy Steiner Why does Rudy challenge authority (e.g., his resistance to Hitler Youth training)? Why is this important? What do you think Rudy symbolizes in the novel? Group 2: Liesel Why did Liesel steal the book? Has Max had a positive or negative impact on her? What do you think are Liesel's strengths? Group 3: The Power of Words & Storytelling Why is Max’s book The Standover Man important to Liesel? What is the significance of Liesel stealing The Whistler? Group 4: War, Fear, and Resistance How does Nazi Germany continue to affect the lives of Liesel, Rudy, and their families? Why do Rudy and Liesel take risks, such as stealing books and food? What do you think the floating book scene symbolizes?

Reaction Activity

Reading 11 - 307-350

1. What does death complain about in his diary?2. What do the Hubermanns, Liesel, and Max do to celebrate Christmas? 3. What book does Liesel steal from the mayor's library (the second time)? 4. What does Rosa "accuse" Liesel of stealing at home? 5. Why do the Nazis visit the Hubermann house? 6. What does Liesel do to warn her parents of their approach? 7. Where is Death collecting so many Jewish people? BONUS: Name 3 presents Liesel gives to Max. What do kids in the town of Cologne collect?

Reaction Activity

Reading 11 - 325-350

Group 1 - How does Death’s tone shift in "Death’s Diary: 1942" compared to other parts of the novel? What emotions do Death’s reflections in these sections evoke in you as a reader?Group 2 - What do we learn about Hans Hubermann’s character through his interactions with others during this time? If you were in Liesel’s position, do you think you would have acted similarly in protecting Max? Why or why not? Group 3 - How does Rosa Hubermann show her love and care for Liesel and Max in her own unique way? What do you think Death means when he describes humans as both "beautiful and brutal"? Do you agree with this idea? Group 4 - What motivates Rudy’s continued acts of defiance, and how do these moments shape his character development? How do these sections of the book make you reflect on modern-day conflicts and the impact of war on civilians?

Reaction Activity

Reading 12 - 353-403

1. What does Liesel do that calms everyone during the air raid? 2. What is Frau Holtzapfel willing to stop doing if Liesel will read to her? What does she offer to give them? 3. What does Hans try to give the Jewish man on the march? 4. What is the consequence of his act? 5. Who do the Nazi men come for at the end of the reading? BONUS: What two things does Ilsa give Liesel? How long has Max been in the Hubermann basement?

Reaction Activity

Reading 12 - 353-403

1. How does this quote resonate with you personally? 2. Have you ever experienced something similar to what this quote describes? 3. What universal themes or life lessons can be drawn from this quote? 4. How does this quote relate to the world outside the novel? 5. Would the meaning of this quote change if another character had said it? 6. Why is this quote significant in the novel? 7. How would the story change if this quote (or the ideas in it) were removed?

Reaction Activity

Reading 13 - 407-455

11. Why do the Nazis want to take Rudy? 2. What does Rosa do to wake up Hans from his hangover? 3. What does Alex Steiner get assigned to do during the war? 4. What is Hans' job during the war? 5. What does Liesel dream of after she reads "The Word Shaker"? BONUS: Where does the seed for the word shaker's tree come from? What do Rudy and Liesel do in Rudy's father's shop?

Reaction Activity

Reading 14

1. What does Ilsa leave for Liesel and Rudy? 2. What happens to Michael's brother Robert? 3. What does Rosa learn about her son? 4. What injury does Hans suffer from in the accident? 5. What does Rudy leave in the street when he fails to steal? 6. What does Rudy give the enemy pilot?