The Book Thief

Markus Zusak

Random House Children's Books, Sep 11, 2007 - Juvenile Fiction - 576 pages

It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.


From the Hardcover edition.

What people are saying

Review: The Book Thief

User Review  - April - Goodreads

*This review was written in a darkened room in the early hours of the morning after the shedding of many tears. In a queer, sultry sort of way I've discerned that almost all of us on here are Book ...

Review: The Book Thief

User Review  - Heather - Goodreads

I'm horrified and fascinated by Nazi Germany. It's painful for me to read about what happened...even in a YA Fiction book you know it's based on such disgusting truth...but I find myself amazed and ...

About the author

Markus Zusak is the author of I Am the Messenger, winner of the Children's Book Council Book of the Year in Australia, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and Getting the Girl. The author lives in Sydney, Australia.


From the Hardcover edition.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Book Thief; Alfred A. Knopf; Readers Circle
• Author: Markus Zusak
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2007
• ISBN: 0375842209, 9780375842207
• Length: 576 pages
• Subjects: Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Holocaust