The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

A new book in the library not to be missed is The Book Thief, a gripping story of war and human suffering in Nazi Germany and of the young girl who transcends it all. Liesel herself is a character who would keep most people reading the book, but perhaps even more charismatic is the narrator of the story, Death. This Death is no creepy skeleton dressed in black carrying a scythe. This Death is a compassionate, engaging being with a golden tongue, which is appropriate since a central theme of this book is the healing power of words. In the first chapter Death introduces himself by saying, "I could introduce myself properly, but it's not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away." The structure of this novel takes a little getting used to, but after a while, it was a relief to be told ahead of time what was coming, and it was nice having the little definition breaks in the story. Don't expect a happy ending to a book about WW II in Germany, but neither will all hope be obliterated. With characters like Liesel, and her best friend Rudy who idolizes Jesse Owens, and Leisel's foster parents, Hans the accordian player and Rosa the loving name-caller, and Max, the Jew being hidden in the basement, and Ilsa, the mayor's wife who allows Liesel to steal her books, it's impossible not to be touched by Zusak's story in The Book Thief. Come by the library and check it out.

--Reviewed by Mrs. Sams