The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Presented by Elsa Hamilton
Presented by Elsa Hamilton
Plot:
The Book Thief is a novel about a young girl, named Liesel, growing up in Nazi Germany. At age 9 she senses that words are important, though she cannot read. One word, “kommunist,” had the power to take her father, her little brother, and then her mother from her. Liesel is taken in by foster parents who help her to learn to read after they discover a book she has hidden under her mattress, The Grave Diggers Manual, which she stole at her brother’s funeral. The book is Liesel’s only link to her mother and brother. Her foster father, Hans, though he is not a good reader teaches “The book thief” to read using her stolen book. Liesel never gives up on reading even when things are difficult for her. Reading is as important as food to Liesel. “The book thief” finds her own inner strength, empathy, compassion, and love for others as her world crashes around her in death and destruction. Liesel’s life is forever changed by friendship, war and the power of words.
My Definition of Children’s Literature:
Children’s literature is literature that teaches, entertains, and stretches the child’s mind to grow and reach for more. I feel that a book is a safe place for children to experience complex ideas and emotions, because a child can imagine things at their level of understanding, and imagine it in comparison with their life experiences.
How The Book Thief fits with my definition of children’s literature:
The Book Thief uses history to teach an abstract lesson. It is appropriate for a more mature audience, 9th graders and up. The story emphasizes the power of language, empathy, friendship, loyalty, and love. It expresses the duality of man’s nature and learning to be a moral person in an immoral society. The story is narrated by Death, which makes it easy for the story to show the future to us and refer to the past. Using Death as the narrator makes this book a Fantasy, but it does not take away from the historical aspects, it gives perspective, and empathy. I could not put this book down. I believe it could have that effect on high school students.
About the author:
Markus Zusak grew up in Australia; he was born in Sydney in 1975. Zusak was 30 when he wrote his 5th novel, The Book Thief. Zusak has authored 4 other books: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry, and The Messenger. Zusak, is an accomplished writer, he has won several awards for his work including a Michael L. Printz Honor for The Book Thief.
Why I chose The Book Thief:
I chose the book solely on the title. I have never wanted to read a book bad enough to want to steal it. I wanted to know who would. The cover said “Brilliant and hugely ambitious… It’s the kind of book that can be life changing.” I had to find out if that was true so I took a chance, and I am glad that I did. I have read three other books since finishing the book. I read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by, Sherman Alexie, The Hunger Games by, Susan Collins, and A Child Called “IT” by, David Pelzer. The Book Thief was my favorite. I plan to read more of Zusak’s work. I have my summer planned out in books to read. I have a library card, so I will not have to steal them.
Why this book should be taught:
High school students are learning about World War II in their world history classes. This book emphasizes the immorality of the Nazi’s and the death and destruction that was a consequence of Hitler’s regime. It teaches that words are powerful and can be used for good or evil. Stealing is not the lesson that this book teaches, the lesson is that a book is important enough to steal. There is power in language and this book can help to explain this concept in an entertaining and creative way. The Book Thief teaches: symbolism, ideas, abstract ideas, facts, fantasy, the importance of relationships, and literacy to young adults and teens.
Conclusion:
Changing the meaning of words is how Hitler was able to gain power. What happened in Nazi Germany could happen anywhere, even here. Politicians and the media are constantly trying to manipulate how people think, and they manipulate us with our understanding of language. Language used today that invokes strong feelings are words about race, economic stability, and sexual identity. Hitler said, “Die Juden” Blaming everything on the Jewish community. Today we hear blame it on the poor, rich, whites, blacks, gays, straights, or immigrants. These are some of the manipulations today. This novel combines a lot of learning experiences that can accomplish this kind of abstract thinking. It is a novel of 550 pages that has some colorful language mostly in German, and a fantasy narrator. These elements make the novel entertaining and do not distract the reader from the true nature of the lesson. The reality of war is the most profane thing in the novel. We can use historical perspectives to teach lessons with abstract ideas, like the power of language.
