The Book Thief

"'Do you still play the accordion?' Of course, the question really was, 'Will you still help me?'"- Markus Zusak.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is honestly one of the most poignant, raw, and simply phenomenal representations of the 1940's Nazi Germany.

A story about a young German girl, a Jewish fist fighter, Death himself, and all her books, The Book Thief offers a new perspective on what the limit to curiosity is, and it is the epitome of how we should strive for language.

One thing about The Book Thief, is that it sits on the in between of adult fiction, and young adult. While the title character, Liesel Memminger, known as the Book Thief is a young girl, the book itself is set in a time when no one is immune to bloodshed, thievery and the occasional curse word from the girls foster care mother.

And as the girl steals, some would argue that there are themes that are not appropriate for children. And yet, Death is apologetic of all that he does. He takes notice of the sky every time he collects a new soul. At one point and time we see him moving in to quickly and then being fought off by someone who isn't quite ready. And, the thievery is explained.

Liesel steals to settle the score. She was robbed of a brother, doesn't know her father, and her mother has disappeared. Liesel steals to, pardon my wording, flip the man the bird.

Liesel is portrayed as a fine heroine, who is stuck with her circumstances, and yet does the best she can with what she's got.
She learns to read by candle light with her step father, and builds a snowman in her basement for a Jew in hiding.

Mr. Zusak offers a wonderful look on what is worth living and what is not. Should we fight? Should we read? Should we play accordion, smoke cigarettes, and paint?

Mr. Zusak gets a 5/5 on this one.