Book Thief

Peach’s Picks Rating


Title:
The Book Thief (audio book, unabridged edition)

Author:
Markus Zusak

Narrator:
Allan Corduner

Illustrator:
None

ISBN:
978-0739337271

Publisher:
Listening Library

Copyright:
2006

Length:
13 hours, 50 minutes
11 compact discs

Plot Summary:
The story is set before and during World War II in Germany. Death is the first person narrator, recounting the story of Liesel Meminger who lives on the outskirts of Munich. Liesel has been taken in as a foster daughter by the kind and understanding house painter by day, accordion player by night, Hans Hubermann and his acid-tongued wife, Rosa Huberman. They live in a hardscrabble working class neighborhood suffering under Nazi regime. Liesel, who at the beginning of the book cannot yet read, is the book thief. She steals her first book ironically titled The Gravedigger's Handbook after her brother is killed. Hans is a kind man who teaches Liesel to read. She continues her passion for stealing books finding a vast library at the home of the town’s mayor, a Nazi sympathizer. The mayor and his wife have a large library of books. Liesel has a tentative friendship with her and she loans Liesel books. Liesel also steals books from her, thinking the woman is not aware of her actions, when in reality the mayor’s wife leaves available books that she knows Liesel would like. Intertwined with Liesel’s story is that of Max Vandenburg, the Jew who is hidden in the Hubermann’s basement. The listener vividly experiences the pain and occasional joys of the richly drawn characters.

Critical Evaluation:
Allan Corduner has an ideal voice to be Death, the narrator of this audio book. He has a British accent with vague hints of aristocratic European nobility. Corduner’s narration captures the spirit of Liesel and the listener even feels that the narrator, Death, may love Liesel and hopes to allow her to live a long, healthy, satisfied life. The narrator’s voice is well-modulated and easy to understand, expressing emotions and tensions. The opening prologue has haunting strains from an accordion playing in the background. The listener does not yet know, but this foreshadows the character of Liesel’s stepfather as well as lends to the mournful tone of the people, Jews and non-Jews, living under the Nazi reign. Mr. Corduner excellently portrays each character while speaking through Death’s voice. The story is slightly confusing at the beginning with much commentary by the narrator, Death, but when the reader/listener moves beyond that point they are rewarded. Another difficulty with the story’s style is changing back and forth between past events and present times. Altogether, the CD is an excellent rendition of an outstanding book.

Reader’s Annotation:
Liesel Meminger is the Hubermann’s foster child living a life of poverty stricken deprivation on the outskirts of Munich, Germany, before and during World War II. Death, the narrator of the story follows her experiences from her childhood to the end of her life.

Author Information:
Lives in Sydney, Australia
Has one brother
His mother and father grew up in Nazi Germany
His mother told him stories about Jews being marched through her small town during Nazi Germany
These stories inspired The Book Thief
When he was a child he aspired to be a house painter like his father, but found himself clumsily knocking over paint cans
As a teen he read two books, The Old Man and the Sea and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, which inspired him to become a writer
Began writing when he was 16-years-old
Enjoys surfing and watching movies, usually watches movies over and over again

Genre:
Historical fiction

Curriculum Ties:
Use in literature and history classes

Booktalking Ideas:
Read the following excerpt from the prologue or play the CD; Death is talking to the reader/listener: “. . . You are going to die. I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about this whole topic, though most people find themselves hindered in believing me. No matter my protestations. Please trust me. I most definitely can be cheerful, I can be amiable, agreeable, affable, and that’s only the A’s. Just don’t ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.”

Liesel, the main character, desires books more than anything, even though she can barely read. She and the mayor’s wife have a curious friendship. The wife has a large library of books that she is willing to loan Liesel, but yet Liesel continues to steal from her.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
High school

Additional Books by Author:
I Am the Messenger
Fighting Ruben Wolfe
Getting the Girl

Challenge Issues:
Violence, life in Nazi Germany
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.

Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
The book received a starred review in School Library Journal. Five peaches are awarded for being a fascinating look into Nazi Germany, illustrating that not all people supported Hitler and his beliefs. If you are listening to it while driving, watch out! You might continue driving the 14 hours it takes to hear the story.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0739337270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272920148&sr=8-1

References:
Zusak, M. (2010). “Ask Markus”. Markus Zusak. Retrieved April 28, 2010, from http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/author.html