Post #4 Summer Work

My Reflection

Of the choices on the list, why this one and what drew your attention to this book?

I chose this book because of my interest of WWII, Hitlers impact and the Jewish holocaust. I had knowledge about WWII prior to reading this book and I enjoyed that a story of different people growing up during that time was made. What most caught my attention was the title and how it related to the story. After reading the back of the book I put together the pieces and remembers books were banned by Hitler during his time because he didn't want anyone smarter then him.

Were there personal connections about the book to yourself?

Because of the time the book was written about, I can't relate. What I can relate about is how the characters overcame different situations they were put in. I can't relate to their grievance over a lost friend but I can understand standing up and doing what is right or just.

Who would you recommend this book to and why? 

I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in the setting of this book. It talks a lot about the struggle of Jewish people and the hatred of Hitler during the time reference. I would also note that this book is for people who like hero's of a story. Yes, not all characters of this book are hero's but they do have their heroic moments even if its from protecting a friend from death or hiding a friend in your basement. Overall this book has done an outstanding job portraying its characters, setting and emotion to the reader thoroughly.

Post #3 Summer Work

“You could argue that Liesel Meminger had it easy. She did have it easy compared to Max Vandenburg. Certainly, her brother had practically died in her arms. Her mother abandoned her. But anything was better than being a Jew.”

In this quote, Death (the narrator), shows pity for Liesel because all and all during Hitler's reign Jewish people lost so much more then even the horrors Liesel encountered. This context of the book will hook the reader because of its strange narration, foreshadowing extreme events and leaving the reader with "But anything was better than being a Jew".

During the novel the reader begins to read "Deaths" narration, you would learn he has feeling/emotions. Along with feelings, Death also brings dark humor to sad parts of the book and seems to not care about the life before you die, he cares more about what you think of the after-life as an "equalizer".

In the quote at the top of the post, there is foreshadowing of certain events surrounding Liesel's misfortunes. This is very interesting because it makes the reader want to know more.

Finally, the final part of the quote above; "But anything was better than being a Jew" as Death states, hooks the reader the same way as Liesel's misfortunes during life occurs. The quote appears as a statement but in my opinion is more like a question: How is it worse?

Post #2 Summer Work

In my novel, the complexity of my characters varies for each. Liesel Meminger, the main protagonist, desires two simple things: justice and to read. Growing up, Liesel suffered loss and pain. From having to beat up a classmate who made fun of her to thinking of what the right thing to do is and eventually learning that she does not want to follow what society thinks of her. Rudy Steiner, Liesels best friend, shares the same ideas. Rudy is the "ideal" Nazi on the outside, but on the inside he is the complete opposite, he wants to be an athlete like his idol James Owens, a 1938 Olympic Star. Max Vandenburg, a kid who hid in Liesels step-parents basement, only desires certain feelings toward Hitler: hate. He would punch a picture of him in his basement. 

A repetitive theme that is in the book is "Words". Words have helped or changed each character throughout the story. An example is when Liesel says “His soul sat up. It met me.Those kinds of souls always do - the best ones. The ones who rise up and say, 'I know who you are and I am ready. Not that I want to go of course, but I will come”. She and other characters use words to change, describe and even connect each other.


The book is structured with "Death" as the narrator. He talks like there are no surprises when at the end of WWII Liesel and Max are together. 

Post #1 Summer Work

In the book, The Book Thief, major characters include Liesel Meminger, Rudy Steiner, Max Vandenburg and the Hubermann's (Liesels Parents). Liesel, is the protagonist of the story, she is kind-hearted and steals books because of her love to read them. Rudy Steiner is Liesel's best friend in this book. Rudy, unlike Liesel had feelings for her until his death in the book. Max Vandenburg importance in the book is his hatred and its growth towards Hitler, he is nicknamed "The struggler" and "The Jewish fist fighter". The Hubermann's are actually Lesiels stepparents. While her stepmom is untrustworthy, her stepdad is calm and collected. Finally, the final "character" is the narrator. What I found weird is that the narrator is actually Death. During the story, I noticed that Death shows emotion such as sadness. In the novel the setting takes place in Molching,Germany betwen 1939 and 1943. I can relate this book to many movies and books I read during freshman year about Hitlers era and the struggle of anyone "lesser" then Germans at the time.