A heartwarming tale that grabs you by the hand and never lets you go till the end. This is a tale of a pre-teen girl living and growing up in Nazi Germany. It tells of her joys and sorrows and the interesting people she meets along the way. As the title implies, she steals books. The young girl in the story thirsts for knowledge and so begins her book stealing career as a way to understand the world around her. I personally loved this book because it delves into the "other" Germany--the people who had no choice or say in their government's policies and atrocities but were in many ways just as much victims as Germany's other enemies.
The story is told by death and he/she/it constantly interrupts to give the reader certain insights. I found that off putting at first and I was really irritated by the constant interruptions. But it gets better either because I began to mind the interruptions alot less, or because the interruptions become less frequent. The story will make you laugh and there were times that I thought that my heart would burst cause I was so tense. I almost cried during certain scenes cause you feel the lack of humanity in some people and the surprising boldness of others to take a stand for goodness. A delightful tale and I would highly recommend it.

Excellent book about life in Germany during WWII. It brought back many memories of stories my mother told me about Germany before she was able to flee with her family to the United States.

This is the strangest book I have ever read. The phrasing, word pictures and narrative form are exceptional (and sometimes unfathonable) and take some concentration to understand. Some parts have to be re-read to get the meaning and sometimes I never did get the meaning. This book makes you think and I am glad I read it. I went immediately and got another novel by this author.

This is a wonderful book! I find myself recommending it to people all the time. It touches you, makes you smile and sad and read in anticipation of whatever will come next. It is not your typical World war 2 horror story but you feel the horror in nearly every chapter. Read it and you find yourself with the urge to share it with everybody you know.

You will recommend The Book Thief to all your friends, but never want to part with your own copy, because you'll want to read it again. Much of the prose is astounding. Although it may be recommended for young adults, this work is rich in creativity and depth of its characters and truly is a book for all ages. It will be a classic and it is no wonder that it has won many awards.

Zusak immediately thrusts us into the inventive character of Death as the narrator: 'Here is a small fact. You are going to die.' It is then we meet Liesel, a young German girl who has suffered the death of her younger brother, the disappearance of her mother and her placement in the Huberman foster home. Her foster mother, Rosa, has a harsh demeanor but her foster father, Hans, her friend, Rudy Steiner, and a Jew named Max -each help her find her own way in Nazi Germany. Leisel steals her first book at the grave of her brother and learns to read it from her foster father. Later, she steals more books from the Mayor's wife and learns the power of words, even how the words of Hitler influence a nation.

Teachers of literature should recommend this book to their students so they can learn to appreciate the genius of how words are used to captivate and enlighten. In a brief sentence, Zusak can paint a picture, deliver an emotional punch and skillfully use language to transport the reader to another place and time. This work is a sheer joy to read!

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book given the subject matter. I loved it. I found the story haunting and thought provoking. Markus Zusak's writing is creative and poetic. I definitely encourage readers to check this one out.

I have never felt compelled to write a review until now because I feel so strongly about this book. This story is told from such a unique perspective and is so creatively written. There is so much heart and feeling in this book that i was sad for it to come to an end. I will definitely be reading it again and I've been recommending it to everyone, and so far I've gotten nothing but positive feedback.
It is a touching story with characters that you will truly fall in love with. Read this book and even if you don't love it as much as I did, you'll still be glad you did :)

CD set stolen. since i didn't listen to any more than the first CD, i cannot make a review for you. Sorry.

Excellent, excellent, excellent book! Written in a truly unique voice that keeps you wanting to read on. This book will stay with you long after you've finished it. Highly recommend!

This book touched me deeply, so much so that I purchased extra copies as gifts for good friends.

You have to spend a little time early on to get used to the style though -- but it's well worth it.

Highly recommmended

Lovely book, definitely not as good as "The Book Thief", but still nicely written. I was a bit disappointed in the ending.

This item arrived in good shape in reasonable time. Reading this for a bookclub I am in.

Should I decide to compile a list of the ten best books I have ever read, this would definitely be included. I didn't want the book to end. I wanted to keep reading and reading and reading, however, naturally I still wanted to know how it ended. I did finish it and would like to read more of Markus Zusak's work.

This book stole my heart away and wrapped itself around my brain until i was unable to get through my day without thinking about it and grabbing it when i was supposed to be doing something else. it is an amazing story, told in an original way. having death tell the story, but having death not be threatening, only observant, was an amazingly different point of view. the summarizations, the drawings, the poems, the quotations, the characters, ---- the story. this is a book that should be read by all who love literature, language and story telling. and one to share with one's friends and loved ones.

The Book Thief is a must read!
It is written in a unique, rather brilliant style, having an almost magical feel to it.
The story is powerful...as the bare truth often is.
one of the best books I have ever read!

Thanks to many critics' lists of best contemporary books, I took notice of this masterpiece of a novel. This is not only my favorite book of the past year, this is one of my top five favorite books ever. This brilliant story of loss and the pursuit of love and belonging could have been set in any time or location. Nevertheless, the setting also serves as one of the best accounts of life on WWII Germany's home front I've ever read. The story is told with beautifully simple and often poetic language and the characters are treated with a restraint that is masterful. The setting and the characters were so vivid and alive that I felt as if I too had lived with the Hubermann's on Himmel Street. While I highly encourage teenagers to read this novel, I do hope that they will read it again as a young adult and yet again as an older adult. This book has so much to teach us all regardless of our stage of life. Within hours of reading the last chapter, I found myself hurrying to pass the book along to a loved one. However, I'll soon buy another copy for I will definitely find myself reading this many times over in the coming years.

Markus Zusak has done an amazing job on his book "The Book Thief". I have heard that the book will be made into a movie, and I really hope this is true! This is one of my favorite books of all time!

It starts out in the 1930s in Nazi Germany in a train, where a little girl (Liesel Meminger) and her mother and younger brother are. They are on their way in the snowy weather to go to a foster home, where the mother is going to leave Liesel and her brother. Liesel's father was a Communist, and he had already been rounded up by the Nazis and sent to a Concentration Camp. His wife was left alone with two young children, and she simply could not take care of them. The boy dies in the train, so Liesel is left and sent off to the foster home of Rosa and Hans Hubermann.

The rest of the book tells a happy-yet-sad story of Liesel during her few years on Himmel Street, including her new best friend Rudy, and her eccentric step-parents.

I would recommend this fantastic book to anybody in 7th or 8th grade through adult. Any age between then would be blown away by this amazing story.

This book was much better than I thought it would be. It was recommended to me by my daughter and we don't normally agree on books. After reading the first couple of chapters I still couldn't decide if I wanted to keep with it or not; but after a couple of more I couldn't put it down. It provides the reader with a different perspective than is normally published on the German people during WW II. If you have any interest in that time period you won't be disappointed in The Book Thief.

Although the central character in The Book Thief is Liesel Meminger, the narration for the duration of the novel is done by Death. So Death's point of view understands and seems to know all about who he will meet along the way in Nazi Germany. Death is neither overly sentimental (a few exceptions of course apply) nor acutely malevolent or terrifying. He's just a voice that accepts the many ways people come to him, one way or another, and in fact sits back and watches the barbarity of humans. He sees the ugliness, brutality and beauty of mankind, and seems to feel the most pity for Himmel Street, where Leisel and her new family reside. Still, he is detached, and waits for all to come to him.

Liesel is nine when she becomes a foster child for the Hagerman's after seeing her brother and mother die. She learns to love the new, adopted family she has, and because she has stolen The Grave Digger's Handbook from her brother's burial place, she has a fascination with books and wants to learn to read. One book isn't enough, and after Hans Huber Mann teaches her to read, she has many adventure with Rudy, neighbor boy who is a fan of Jessie Owens, stealing books and other things. Liesel becomes absorbed in novels, and each book is a symbol of an event in the story.

One of the more unique characters is Max Vandenburg, the Jew who hides in the Hagerman's' basement. Similar to Liesel, he comes to this house a stranger trying to make an adjustment after a difficult past experience. Max's stay at the house gives Liesel a stronger purpose because she looks after him as Hans Huber Mann once looked after her. Max connects with the child because he has a strong imagination, an introspective way of looking at things. Max gives Liesel a gift, The Standover Man, which encompasses and signifies all the ideas that link these two characters.

Markus Zusak has a powerful ability to create a poetic, deep narrative, using symbols, and examining the issue of courage, hope, and despair during a troubling and confusing time. Unusually written, as we are often moving back and forth in time between what the reader knows and will know, and given poems as to clues of the plot, Zusak's creates a unique story. Although you are likely to find this book in the young adult section of your bookstore, it seems pretty "mature" in its voice, and should have been left in the fiction section.

While there is so much more going on in the novel, there is much about the background of Nazi Germany, and those who either oppose or dissent from those ideals. Zuzak gives a haunting description of the barbarity, and hopelessness, of this oppression from the eyes of Liesel: "As she watched all of this, Liesel was certain these were the poorest souls alive...Others pleaded for someone, anyone, to step forward and catch them in their arms. No one did."

This is a story that is intense, and leaves an impression. A very creative story here, one that I will definitely read again. Five stars all the way.

Do not believe the American designation of this book as being for young adults. It isn't. It is beautifully written and is the best book I've read since Oscar Wao. I loved it so much after reading a library copy that I bought myself a hard cover copy to keep!

The Book Thief is no light read. It's not meant to be taken to the beach or casually skimmed over during the course of a weekend. The fact that it's narrated by Death Himself should clue readers into the serious themes held within its pages. I admit that I had to be patient with the narrative at first -it seemed disjointed and difficult to get into, but the language was so vibrant and clever that the book wouldn't let me go. As a result, I was incredibly moved by the ending and can offer up the rarest praise: I will reread this book again in time. It is just that good, that powerful, and that important.

The story starts off a little slow but keep reading because it gets much better. My only disappointment was that I didn't want this book to end. Great read!!

Confusing , disorganized and disappointing. I found this bpook to be difficult to follow.I could not empathize with the main character. A waste of time.

this book was way better than i thought it would be. it starts out slow, but it becomes really good. you should read it. it is very well written and just and all around good book!!!

There are plenty of reviews telling the story line so I won't bore anyone with more. I just want to say how creative a writer Zusak is. This is the first story I've read narrated by death and I couldn't put it down. It was like reading an abstract story with the lives of people during World War II woven so beautifully together. Amazing! Different! And I have to agree with others on the fact that it doesn't read like a junior book. Don't give up on this book, you'll be glad you didn't.

The Book Thief, which is probably in the local library's "Young Adult" section, is set in Nazi Germany during WWII. Thus, it's pretty brutal at times, but it's not without redemption. Zusak uses a novel narrative approach - the story is told from Death's point of view. His sentences are spare, even choppy at times, which lends the work a clipped, regimented feel - not at all inappropriate for a wartime novel. "Young Adult," yes, but not bedtime reading. Zusak has created a powerful work, but it's somewhat disjointed at times. Good - yes. Excellent - no.

This book was fantastic!! I just got done with it, literally, and i must say it is one great piece of literature. This was a summer reading assingment and i was not looking forward to it because of it's length, but trust me, you get over that quickly. It was actually a quick read since there is much spacing in the book. Since i am a world class procrastinator i was forced to finish it in less than 5 days.

The big seller on this for me was the narrator being death during WW II. A fantastic perspective for that time, don't you think? Please buy this book, you will not be sorry! By the way there is a film coming out in 2010 so you could read the book and then compare it to the movie when it is released. Happy reading, Juan

A rare opportunity to experience the insight of Germany life during the war. It can be a little bit depressive in the beginning, but the story is extremely well developed. I hope it remains popular for generations.

I read this book over a year ago because of a review I read somewhere. It is so full of texture, of the grinding machine that is war, with the little bleeps of love and beauty that keep people plodding along. It is a wonderful book. I still think about it a year later and I immediately ordered his other 2 books. I read voraciously and this is a gem. The characters are so surprising and real. I am amazed this is a young adult book. I am aware of book clubs that have read the book and been captivated by it. It should be widely read. Where is Oprah?

I'm afraid I'm writing this review without having read the whole book. After reading the first couple chapters I became so impatient with the affected, graceless prose that I left off reading. Tries to be too cute and arty, forgets to show instead of tell.

This was an amazing story. Truly extraordinary. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I wish I could take the author aside, look him in the eye, and tell him how much I truly loved this book. It was haunting, stunning, sad, amazing and gripping. I didn't know it was a Young Adult book. It was so powerful. I sobbed and sobbed at the end. So beautifully written.

This book really crept up on me. I read it, I liked it and I wanted to keep going. As the story progressed, I found myself more and more engrossed and more and more attached to the characters. By the end of the book I had a lump in my throat. And although there is soul-crushing sadness, there is a beauty and lightness in the story that is nothing if not uplifting. I highly recommend this book.

This book is in my top 5 fictional books of all time, behind The Godfather, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Old Man and the Sea, and A Farewell to Arms. It is an extremely powerful and riveting book. I got it for Easter and when I got it It was my favorite book.

This book made my heart bleed a little and that is no ordinary feat. The Book Thief is incredibly heart wrenching and beautifully written with an interesting concept and colourful characters you come to care for and love.

I patiently await Marcus Zusak's next novel.

This book made my heart bleed a little and that is no ordinary feat. The Book Thief is incredibly heart wrenching and beautifully written with an interesting concept and colourful characters you come to care for and love.

I patiently await Marcus Zusak's next novel.

The Book Thief is one of those children's books that has crossed over into the adult market and become subject to incredible word-of-mouth marketing. To be honest, I let it languish on my nightstand for 12 months, because I wasn't sure it would live up to the hype. I've read my fair share of books about the Holocaust and wasn't sure this one would tell me anything I didn't already know.

But the author, Markus Zusak, has created a wholly original story. First, the narrator is death, who talks in a kind of roundabout language, part all-knowing, part creepy, part loving.

And second, the main character is an ordinary German girl growing up in Nazi Germany who must confront many personal difficulties and traumas during the course of the Second World War. This is not so much a book about the extermination of the Jewish race under Nazi occupation, but the ways in which many Germans went about their ordinary lives at the time and the extraordinary lengths some of them went to save their Jewish friends.

The story begins with Liesel Meminger, a traumatised nine-year-old girl. It's 1939 and she has just witnessed the death and burial of her younger brother enroute to her new foster family in a town called Molching. During the burial Liesel picks up an object she finds in the snow -- The Gravediggers Handbook -- which sets up a lifelong love of books, even if she has to beg, borrow or steal them.

Her foster father, the kindly accordion-playing Hans Hubermann, teaches her how to read, and together the two of them pass many hours pouring over the pages of the gravedigger's instruction manual. Later, when the family takes in a Jewish man, Max Vanderburg, and hides him away in their basement, Leisel shares her love of words with him, too.

Desperate for new reading material, Liesel -- with the help of her blonde-headed friend Rudy -- rescues a book from a Nazi book-burning pile. Later she is introduced to an amazing private library, owned by the mayor's wife, which allows her to momentarily escape the dismal poverty of her ordinary day-to-day life.

But when the Nazis discover her foster father handing out bread to a march-through of Jews on their way to Dachau, their lives suddenly take on a more sinister, darker twist -- which no amount of book thievery can alleviate. When the Allied bombs begin to fall on their street, things get even worse and death begins to close in on Liesel, her family and friends...

The Book Thief is, without a doubt, an incredibly memorable story. The narrative voice is unique, and the style, which double-backs on itself and occasionally jumps backwards and forwards in time, is interesting if somewhat confusing at times (Would kids get this? I kept asking myself). Initially the staccato rhythm of Death's voice jarred, but I soon learnt to appreciate its whimsical charm. However, I enjoyed the story much more when Death kept his mouth shut and simply let Liesel get on with things.

The characters are great, too. Liesel starts off as a rather weak-willed creature, too terrified to even step out of the car when she first arrives at her foster family's home, but over the course of the war she turns into a feisty, courageous tom-boy, who isn't scared of tackling anyone who bullies her. And her best friend Rudy, who has an obsession with Olympic athlete Jesse James, is a suitable, dare I say lovable, ally.

I was not as convinced about the foster parents who seemed a little stereotyped -- the kindly, loving father; the foul-mouthed, bullish mother -- but I can understand that younger readers would enjoy the "good cop, bad cop" personalities.

The Book Thief is a deeply unsettling story and a truly moving one. I teared up over so many scenes that I couldn't bare to list them here for fear of running out of room! The ending is of the typical grab-your-tissues-and-sob-your-eyes-out ilk. But in reading this very long book -- perhaps a fraction too long, in my opinion (it meanders a lot in the middle) -- I never once thought I was being emotionally manipulated. Zusak does a nice line in letting actions speak louder than words, so that the reader gets to join the dots rather than have every little thing spelt out for them. I like this approach, if only because he treats the children to which this book is aimed with intelligence rather than patronising or speaking down to them.

A delightfully human book, haunting, wise and joyous by turn. I don't know why I waited so long to read it.

The Book Thief is one of those children's books that has crossed over into the adult market and become subject to incredible word-of-mouth marketing. To be honest, I let it languish on my nightstand for 12 months, because I wasn't sure it would live up to the hype. I've read my fair share of books about the Holocaust and wasn't sure this one would tell me anything I didn't already know.

But the author, Markus Zusak, has created a wholly original story. First, the narrator is death, who talks in a kind of roundabout language, part all-knowing, part creepy, part loving.

And second, the main character is an ordinary German girl growing up in Nazi Germany who must confront many personal difficulties and traumas during the course of the Second World War. This is not so much a book about the extermination of the Jewish race under Nazi occupation, but the ways in which many Germans went about their ordinary lives at the time and the extraordinary lengths some of them went to save their Jewish friends.

The story begins with Liesel Meminger, a traumatised nine-year-old girl. It's 1939 and she has just witnessed the death and burial of her younger brother enroute to her new foster family in a town called Molching. During the burial Liesel picks up an object she finds in the snow -- The Gravediggers Handbook -- which sets up a lifelong love of books, even if she has to beg, borrow or steal them.

Her foster father, the kindly accordion-playing Hans Hubermann, teaches her how to read, and together the two of them pass many hours pouring over the pages of the gravedigger's instruction manual. Later, when the family takes in a Jewish man, Max Vanderburg, and hides him away in their basement, Leisel shares her love of words with him, too.

Desperate for new reading material, Liesel -- with the help of her blonde-headed friend Rudy -- rescues a book from a Nazi book-burning pile. Later she is introduced to an amazing private library, owned by the mayor's wife, which allows her to momentarily escape the dismal poverty of her ordinary day-to-day life.

But when the Nazis discover her foster father handing out bread to a march-through of Jews on their way to Dachau, their lives suddenly take on a more sinister, darker twist -- which no amount of book thievery can alleviate. When the Allied bombs begin to fall on their street, things get even worse and death begins to close in on Liesel, her family and friends...

The Book Thief is, without a doubt, an incredibly memorable story. The narrative voice is unique, and the style, which double-backs on itself and occasionally jumps backwards and forwards in time, is interesting if somewhat confusing at times (Would kids get this? I kept asking myself). Initially the staccato rhythm of Death's voice jarred, but I soon learnt to appreciate its whimsical charm. However, I enjoyed the story much more when Death kept his mouth shut and simply let Liesel get on with things.

The characters are great, too. Liesel starts off as a rather weak-willed creature, too terrified to even step out of the car when she first arrives at her foster family's home, but over the course of the war she turns into a feisty, courageous tom-boy, who isn't scared of tackling anyone who bullies her. And her best friend Rudy, who has an obsession with Olympic athlete Jesse James, is a suitable, dare I say lovable, ally.

I was not as convinced about the foster parents who seemed a little stereotyped -- the kindly, loving father; the foul-mouthed, bullish mother -- but I can understand that younger readers would enjoy the "good cop, bad cop" personalities.

The Book Thief is a deeply unsettling story and a truly moving one. I teared up over so many scenes that I couldn't bare to list them here for fear of running out of room! The ending is of the typical grab-your-tissues-and-sob-your-eyes-out ilk. But in reading this very long book -- perhaps a fraction too long, in my opinion (it meanders a lot in the middle) -- I never once thought I was being emotionally manipulated. Zusak does a nice line in letting actions speak louder than words, so that the reader gets to join the dots rather than have every little thing spelt out for them. I like this approach, if only because he treats the children to which this book is aimed with intelligence rather than patronising or speaking down to them.

A delightfully human book, haunting, wise and joyous by turn. I don't know why I waited so long to read it.

This is the most lyrical, yet sparely written book I've read in years - it's astonishingly powerful, and ought to form part of any intelligent reader's library.

Death is the narrator in this haunting tale of the young book thief - a German girl thrust into foster care following the arrest of her Communist father and the sudden death of her starving brother. While she copes with such devastating losses, Death describes the troubled relationships she forms with her foster father, best friend, and a Jewish man the family finds itself hiding, as well as the various people lives around. The characters are honest, blemished, and timeless. With its odd choice of narrator, this is probably going to be a love it or hate it book, more appropriate for a teen or adult audience.

Although this book is quite lengthy (550 pages), it is a quick read. It is based on the life of a young girl who lives in Europe during WWII. It is often told from the perspective of death, which is an interesting way to not only write a fictional work, but to view one. There are some parts that are very heart-wrenching while others merely tell the story of a young girl growing up. I would recommend it.

I am a voracious reader, though a picky one. This heartbreaking, life-affirming book is one of the best I have ever read. I don't know why a "young adult" book is considered the kiss of death for books sales, as there are some amazing young adult books on the market, but this book falls in no age category and should be read by anyone over 13 or so.

This is a wonderful novel. Moving yet funny, very real about a terrible time in history but, because of it's observations on the human condition, more warm than grim. My wife and I liked it so much we purchased 5 copies to give to friends.

My book club chose this as this month's selection and it's a good thing I read it this way because I hated the first 35 or so pages. The tempo was really odd and staccato -- kind of like listening to progressive jazz when you're used to rock or classical. The pacing was really strange. I probably wouldn't have finished it had it not been an assignment of sorts.

But oh am I glad I forced myself to keep reading because starting around page 38 things just got magical. This book, about what one little girl does to get through life in WW2-era Germany is heartbreaking and beautiful but still manages to be funny and surprisingly light. Aside from reminding us that there were good people living in Germany during the war, what this book is really about is appreciating the little, everday things and the people we know, flaws and all. I fell in love with the characters, each of whom was well developed and felt like family by the time the book ended. I won't go through them, enough other people already have, but I wanted to weigh in on the 5-star bandwagon. The book is that good. Yes, death ultimately triumphs over all, but what this novel really does is celebrate life.

It's been a very long time since I read a book that moved me this much or had such an impact. I actually think it might be a bit too much for adolescent readers, but as an adult I found this thoroughly delightful.

An incredible story, draws you in immediately. Beautifully written. Deeply moving. A great read for all 14+.

I was recommended this book by a friend. I had never heard of it and was pleasantly suprised. I loved this book. I loved the way it was creatively narrated and it was well written. I would highly recommend.

I originally bought this book as a gift for my 13 year old nephew. I had it on my desk at work for a couple of days and getting a bit curious, I decided to read a few pages.

A day or so later, I found myself at a bookstore because I had already gotten so far into the story, I had to get a replacement--and fast!

Firstly, this is not a Young Adult book. Although many of the characters, including, Leisl are children and teens, many of the others are adults and the situations all of the characters find themselves in are complicated and substantive. But let's not forget the master of ceremonies, our charming host, Death, and his wry asides and witty observations.

While the characters are all interesting and distinct, the story itself is rich in portraying life in all its wonder amid a milieu of the utmost bleakness and despair. Death always seems to step in to give us that special edge whether it be welcomed humor, or sharp observations on humans and their folly. The sheer maturity of Mr. Zusak to portray it all here gives this book the heft and true merit it deserves well beyond the Young Adult classification. This is great fiction, period.

Wholeheartedly recommend, along with the not as well known, but just as remarkable, SIM0N LAZARUS.

The Book Thief is the most beautifully written story. I could not put it down. The story is compelling and the descriptions are poetic. I have encouraged all of my friends to read it.

This is a remarkable book. Be patient through the first 50 or so pages. It becomes a real "page turner" after that.

Zusak is an amazing writer; flowery, poetic, original. However -- this book could have easily been trimmed by 200 pages. It took forever to get to plot points and the pacing is, well, painfully slow. I couldn't wait to finish it. By far, the book's best part is the last 150 pages where we see Zusak at his best and the book (and the story) finally moves along.

definitly have a box of kleenex close, this book is amazing, but a tear jerker...