The Book Thief (about the author and brief summary)

I'm about 45 pages into The Book Thief, written by bestselling author Markus Zusak. In the novel, Markus intertwines real stories, passed down from his parents about things they witnessed in Austria and Germany during the Holocaust, with fictional writing. This young adult/historical fiction book received numerous awards and honors, including the following, to name a few:

 

National Jewish Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature

Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children's Literature

Michael L. Printz Honor

Kathleen Mitchell Award (Australia)

Best Book by the School Library Journal and the Young Adult Library Services Association

Editors’ Choice in the Kirkus Review and Booklist

Markus Zusak was born in Sydney, Australia in 1975 and he still lives there today. His parents made education and literature priorities for their family, fueling Markus' interest in fictional writing, which began at an early age. The Book Thief was his fifth book, succeeding The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry and The Messenger.

Sources for information about the author:

http://www.chipublib.org/markus-zusak-biography/

http://www.gradesaver.com/author/markus-zusak

So far in the book, we've been introduced to Liesel Meminger, a ten year-old girl living with foster parents in the outskirts of Munich, Germany. Her mother became too ill to care for Liesel and her brother, who died on the train ride to the foster home. The only thing she can cling to, the last momento of her deceased brother and of her mother who abandoned her, is a book. A book she spotted in the snow. A book that was dropped by the poor boy who was given the unfortunate job of digging her brother's grave. A book that will change her life.

I'm intrigued as to where to book will go from here. Characterization and imagery have already proven to be phenomenal, creating crystal clear images for the reader of the setting and of who the characters are. I've already developed adorations and dislikes for certain characters in the story. The author utilizes side notes -- bolded, separated and spontaneous, but also relevant, thoughts -- to catch the reader's attention. He addresses certain terms that may be uncommon or unfamiliar as well as his personal beliefs about life, spoken through the narrator of the story. I can already begin to relate this book to others I've read, such as Night and Fahrenheit 451. I have no doubt that this book will be filled with many emotional, historical truths and outstanding writing techniques.

Here's a link to the trailer for the movie "The Book Thief" (based on the book)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92EBSmxinus