a mountain range of rubble
in which our narrator introduces: himself – the colours – and the book thief.
An edition of The Book Thief
(1998)
The Book Thief
U.S. Hardcover Large print ed. (9)
by Markus Zusak
- 2,291 Want to read
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It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.
By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.
But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
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Subjects
nyt:young-adult-paperback-monthly=2022-09-04, New York Times bestseller, New York Times reviewed, Books and reading, Fiction, Jews, History, World War, 1939-1945, Rescue, Storytelling, Death, Novela australiana, Livres et lecture, Romans, nouvelles, Juifs, Histoire, Guerre mondiale, 1939-1945, Sauvetage, Libros y lectura, Novela, Judios, Historia, Guerra Mundial II, 1939-1945, Book thefts, Jews rescue (1939-1945 : World War) fast (OCoLC)fst01710189, World War (1939-1945) fast (OCoLC)fst01180924, Death, fiction, Germany, history, fiction, Jews, history, fiction, World war, 1939-1945, fiction, Children's fiction, Storytelling, fiction, Books and reading, fiction, Juvenile fiction, Art de conter, Mort, World war ii, Gestapo, Judaism, Nazi, Nazi germany, Historical fiction, Narración de cuentos, Muerte, Literature, Judíos, Nyt:paperback_books=2007-09-09, Ficción, Jews rescue, German history, Books, Reading, Spanish language materials, Ficción juvenil, Guerra mundial ii, Fictional works, Large type books, Memory, Mothers, Family problems, Young adult fiction, Death (personification), GermanyTimes
1933-1945, World War, 1939-1945, 1939-1945Showing 10 featured editions. View all 108 editions?
| Edition | Availability |
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01
La ladrona de libros
2016-01, Debolsillo
paperback
in Spanish
- Décima tercera reimpresion; movie tie-in
6073120311 9786073120319
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The Book Thief
2013, Alfred A. Knopf
Paperback
in English
- Movie Tie-In Edition (19)
0385754728 9780385754729
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The Book Thief
2013, Alfred A. Knopf
Paperback
in English
- Movie Tie-In Edition (10)
0385754728 9780385754729
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06
La voleuse de livres
2013-10, Pocket Jeunesse
Mass Market Paperback
in French
2266171046 9782266171045
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The Book Thief
2006, Thorndike Press
Hardcover
in English
- U.S. Hardcover Large print ed. (9)
0786290218 9780786290215
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Book Details
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Work Description
The extraordinary, beloved novel about the ability of books to feed the soul even in the darkest of times.
When Death has a story to tell, you listen.
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
“The kind of book that can be life-changing.” —The New York Times
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Community Reviews (4)
Pace 4
Slow paced
75%
Medium paced
25%
Enjoyability 4
Engaging
50%
Exciting
25%
Neutral
25%
Clarity 4
Dense
50%
Well organized
25%
Effective explanations
25%
Difficulty 4
Advanced
100%
Breadth 4
Comprehensive
100%
Genres 3
Philosophical
18%
Drama
18%
Fiction
18%
Classic
18%
Romance
9%
Action
9%
Crime
9%
Mood 3
Emotional
23%
Dark
23%
Fearful
15%
Sad
15%
Strange
7%
Mysterious
7%
Suspenseful
7%
Impressions 3
Overhyped
33%
Life changing
33%
Highly recommend
33%
Length 2
Long
100%
Credibility 2
Accurate
100%
Features 2
Chapters
66%
Illustrations
33%
Content Warnings 1
Racism
50%
Adult themes
50%
Style 1
Olde
100%
Purpose 2
Learn about
33%
Hope
16%
Broaden perspective
16%
Inspiration
16%
Entertainment
16%
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- Created September 24, 2008
- 15 revisions
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| May 7, 2025 | Edited by sr4136 | Edited without comment. |
| October 30, 2022 | Edited by ImportBot | import existing book |
| July 21, 2021 | Edited by Lisa | Edited without comment. |
| July 21, 2021 | Edited by Lisa | Added new cover |
| September 24, 2008 | Created by ImportBot | Imported from Library of Congress MARC record |