The Book Thief

Prologue: A Mountain Range of Rubble

“Death & Chocolate”

1. From what point of view is the novel told? Who is the narrator of the story? How do you know?
2. What theory does the narrator suggest about colors? Purpose? Why does the narrator need distractions?
3. List the specific critical components of the story according to the narrator?
4. Who might you infer is the book thief? Has he or she already been named? Explain your answer.

“Beside the Railway Line”

1. What purpose does this section of the novel serve?
2. What impression does Death give himself? Do you feel you can trust Death as the narrator? Why or why not?
3. Whose death does Death describe first in the novel?
4. What fact does Death clarify for the reader at the end of the chapter?

“The Eclipse”

1. In addition to describing the pilot’s death, what does Death describe for the reader?
2. What does an eclipse frequently symbolize for Death?

“The Flag”

1. Infer what has happened just prior to his arrival based on the description of the setting.
2. What image does Death paint for the reader when he sees the book thief the third time? How does Death “feel” about the image of Liesel? Why does Death not comfort the child? What does this imply about Death’s ultimate power?
3. Why does Death take the item from the garbage truck?
4. Identify the three colors associated with the book thief. What clue to the novel’s historical context does the reader first get from “the colors?”

Part One: The Grave Digger’s Handbook

“Arrival on Himmel Street”

1. Death opens Part 1 with a flashback, what is it?
2. Who is Liesel & Werner Meminger? Describe the setting. How old is Liesel?
3. What happens when Liesel wakes form her dream about the Fuher?
4. What observation does Death make for the reader?
5. What falls from the grave digger apprentice’s pocket without his knowledge? What does Liesel do with the object?
6. Why are the Memingers on the train? Liesel’s ultimate destination is ______________________ .
7. To what does Himmel translate?
8. What kind of atmosphere does Death describe on Himmel Street? How does Liesel respond to her new home?
9. Identify & describe Liesel’s foster parents.
10. What literary devise does Zusak use to close the chapter? What might the reader infer from the final sentence in the chapter?

“Growing up Saumensch”

1. How many books made up the story of Liesel’s life?
2. What single fact does Liesel know about her father?
3. What act does Liesel refuse to do from the beginning of her stay at the Hubermanns? How does she overcome her unwillingness?
4. What is Liesel suppose to call the Hubermanns’ after a few months? Why do you think Rosa tells Liesel to do this?
5. Which parent does Liesel seem to bond with more easily?

“The Woman with the Iron Fist”

1. What makes Liesel’s adjustment to life with the Hubermanns’ particularly difficult? How does Papa help her?
2. Why is The Gravedigger’s Handbook so important to Liesel?
3. What makes school particularly difficult for Liesel?
4. After Liesel’s 10^th birthday, what is she enrolled in?

“The Kiss (A Childhood Maker)”

1. How are the friendships between children made on Himmel Street?
2. Briefly describe the “Jesse Owens” incident?
3. Who introduces Liesel to the “secrets” of the neighbors? Explain.
4. Schiller Strasse is ________________________.
5. What challenge does Rudy offer Liesel following their taunting of Pfiffikus?

“The Jesse Owens Incident”

1. Who is Jesse Owens? Was Liesel present for the Jesse Owens incident? Explain.
2. How does Death’s explanation of Mr. Steiner’s politics explain his anger with his son emulation of Jesse Owens?
3. What is Rudy’s father trying to make Rudy understand when he tells Rudy that he should be happy he was born with blonde hair & blue eyes?

“The Other Side of Sandpaper”

1. What important number does Death provide in regard to the Germans support of Hitler? How does it relate to Hans?
2. What even led to Liesel’s bed wetting? How is it a defining moment in her life?
3. Why is the sandpaper useful?

“The Smell of Friendship”

1. Where does Papa take Liesel for reading lessons? How does he get Mama to agree?
2. Liesel notices a change in Hans when they are at the river, but doesn’t realize what it means. Why do you believe Hans is going to the river?
3. Where do Papa & Liesel work on reading most often at home? Why?

“The Heavyweight Champion of the School Yard”

1. According to Death, what 2 important events occur in September –November 1939? What do you think is the significance of the fact that Death lists these 2 events under the same heading?
2. What piece of news arrives at the Hubermann household? How does Papa react?
3. What change does Liesel experience in school?
4. What event in the classroom sets Liesel up for antagonism in the school yard? Why does she attack Ludwig & Tommy?
5. Why are Liesel’s classmates quiet when Sister Maria beats her for fighting?
6. Why is Liesel overcome with emotion? How does Rudy respond?
7. What literary device does Zusak use in the final line of this chapter to describe Liesel’s future in school?

“A Short History of the Jewish Fighter”

1. Max’s 1^st fighting opponent was ____________________. Where did Max train as a child?
2. How many fights did Walter & Max engage in over the years? Did they remain friends? Why?
3. How old was Max on the “night of broken glass?” How did he escape capture? What happened to Max’s family?
4. What is written on the piece of paper from his mother? Importance?
5. Max is concerned about Liesel because ___________________.
6. Who speaks first at the end of the chapter?

“The Wrath of Rosa”

1. What startles Liesel from her sleep?
2. Liesel finds Rosa’s reaction to Max unusual because __________________________.
3. Explain the final line in the chapter.

“Liesel’s Lecture”

1. Analyze the important point Death makes in the beginning of this chapter.
2. What story does Hans offer to Liesel?
3. Of what promise does Hans remind Liesel, and if she breaks the promise what will happen?
4. How does Rosa uncharacteristically greet Liesel after her talk with Hans?

“The Sleeper”

1. Why does Max sleep the first 3 days with the Hubermanns? What does he say in his sleep?

“The Swapping of Nightmares”

1. Why does Max decide he should hide in the basement? Behind what is he hidden?
2. Liesel notices ___________________ in the basement. What does she attempt to ask Max?
3. According to Death, Liesel learns _________________________ about Rosa.
4. What helps Liesel keep her sanity?
5. What comparison does Death make to Liesel reading in the Mayor’s library to Max living in the basement?
6. What change do the Hubermanns’ make in their routine in order to preserve Max’s health & safety?
7. Max characterizes himself as _______________________. Do you agree or disagree, why?
8. What gift does Liesel bring Max daily?
9. What gift does Liesel receive on her 12^th birthday? How does she include Max in her special day?

“Pages from the Basement”

1. Liesel can not go in the basement because _____________________________.
2. Comment on the importance of the book Max gives Liesel. How does he give it her & what is her reaction?

“Part Five: The Whistler

“The Floating Book” (part I)

1. What does Death announce about Rudy? Why would it be characterized as “small?”

“The Gamblers (A Seven Sided Die)”

1. Analyze the symbolism of the seven sided die. List the 7 sides.
2. Liesel is tempted to tell the Mayor’s wife ______________________ because __________________.
3. What inspires Max to draw the picture of himself & Liesel walking the tightrope to the sun?
4. Who is the first person to enter the ring? Symbolism?
5. Why is the seven sided die an appropriate symbol for the story?

“Rudy’s Youth”

1. Rudy’s 3 problems are :

“The Losers”

1. Briefly identify Viktor Chemmel. Compare him to Arthur Berg as a leader. What parallels might you draw between their leadership style and leaders from this historical time period?

“Sketches”

1. Max intends to write Liesel an autobiography but what changes? What inspires him?
2. What happens when Liesel sneaks a peek of Max’s sketches?

“The Whistler & the Shoes”

1. Explain the significance of “I need a win, Liesel. Honestly.”?
2. Liesel receives the official title _______________________ by ____________________.

“Three Acts of Stupidity by Rudy Steiner”

1. Explain the 3 acts. Why is Rudy behaving so dangerously? What is the result?

“The Floating Book (Part II)”

1. Explain Rudy’s “victory.”