Looking for a book to read? Markus Zusak hits his readers with a book full of emotional plot line twists entwined with real historical events of World War II interesting to both teens and adults. In the novel The Book Thief, Zusak creates an inspirational and interesting perspective on the atrocities committed by the Germans in World War II between 1939 and 1943.

It begins in January 1939, when Liesel Meminger, only ten-years old, witnesses the death of her little brother while on the way to being taken to live with foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann. After Liesel is taught to read and write by her foster father, she begins to see extraordinary value and inspiration in books, stealing them whenever possible, her only choice because of her intense poverty. Liesel realizes that Adolf Hitler is likely behind the disappearance of her mother and father and the death of her brother and begins to hate Hitler, a dangerous position for a young girl in Nazi, Germany. Hans warns her against speaking out about her hate of Hitler in public.

Later, at the Hubermanns’ house in the middle of the night, Max, a Jewish man who is fleeing for his life, begs for a place to stay. Hans had been saved by Max’s father Erik in World War I so he lets Max inside. After a while, the Hubermanns grow to love Max like family and Max begins to do the same. Their sympathy and love for the Jews threaten to put their lives in jeopardy.

To learn what happens to the Hubermanns, read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Throughout reading this book, Zusak draws in the readers by the realness of the characters and connects the readers with the emotions written on every page. The novel draws in the reader to become part of story and allows the reader an understanding of the struggle of many people while living under the power of Adolf Hitler.

Overall, the story delivers strong emotion through the character of the young girl, Liesel and is written beautifully through the narrator, Death, who tells the story of the Hubermanns’ experience in the tragedies of World War II.