Published this past year, 2006, the book has been nominated for the best ten books for young adults by the ALA.
The story is set in
Germany, (has many German phrases) and focuses on a young girls life during the years 1941-1944. While it is based on a real life story, the perspective of the war is from a different personage. While the persecution of the Jews is a powerful theme within the book, it allows that not all Germans held the Anti-Jew beliefs of the people in power. Liesel is an orphan who is settled with a foster family that provides her with a list of basic needs, not including money. Liesel is taught to read by her foster father, they paint words, alphabet on the basement walls. Books become the thrust of her energy and shared in some unique ways with neighbors. She has a friend, a neighbor, named Rudy who shares a strong leading character development.
The story is told by the “death angel.” This perspective offers a creative and singular perspective that forces one to think about the end of life to a deeper level. How Liesel and Rudy change their views and mature throughout the novel is memorable. I don’t think I am going to forget this book for quite a while.
2 responses so far ↓
1
Barbara
// Apr 19, 2007 at 6:47 am
Interesting theme have mentioned. With pleasure I shall support.
And in general, good blog
2
Allyson Tetzlaff
// Apr 25, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I haven’t finished the book yet but I love the whole story an I think it is a very good book, especially if you are interested in the whole Hitler time. The fact that Liesel is such an attentive young girl makes the story interesting. Being told by the angel of death, the book has a unique twist to it.
Leave a Comment