The Book Thief
By: Markus Zusak
Summary:
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 9 Up–Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of sophisticated teen and adult readers. Death himself narrates the World War II-era story of Liesel Meminger from the time she is taken, at age nine, to live in Molching, Germany, with a foster family in a working-class neighborhood of tough kids, acid-tongued mothers, and loving fathers who earn their living by the work of their hands. The child arrives having just stolen her first book–although she has not yet learned how to read–and her foster father uses it, The Gravediggers Handbook, to lull her to sleep when shes roused by regular nightmares about her younger brothers death. Across the ensuing years of the late 1930s and into the 1940s, Liesel collects more stolen books as well as a peculiar set of friends: the boy Rudy, the Jewish refugee Max, the mayors reclusive wife (who has a whole library from which she allows Liesel to steal), and especially her foster parents. 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 Liesels story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves. An extraordinary narrative.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Teaching Tips:
1) Students may need some background knowledge before reading this book. Knowing that Death is the narrator and understanding the format of this book would be helpful before they begin reading.
2) This book would be a great resource as part of a multi-level text set. Pairing it with other fiction or non-fiction books about the Holocaust and World War II would be extremely beneficial.
3) As students read, they are bound to have an emotional reaction to the text. Have them keep a journal or log on their thoughts and feelings as they progress through the book.
Additional Resources:
Ryan, I loved this movie and can't wait to read the book! You have some great teaching tips and I enjoyed the link to Markus Zusak's website!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! This was by far the best book that I've read all year. Very powerful.
DeleteRyan, with your permission, we hope to use your blog as a sample at the ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) conference at the end of February. We will get you more readers!
ReplyDeleteI would be honored. Thank you very much for thinking of me.
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