Overview
Mark Zusak’s The Book Thief is a deeply loved and compelling historical fiction novel that takes place in World War 2 era Germany. The story follows Liesel Memminger, a little girl living with a host family during the war who develops a love for books — something that required some thievery on her part during the tumultuous times of war. But the unique part about The Book Thief is that it’s not narrated by Liesel, it’s narrated by Death.
Richly written with complex characters and a heart-wrenching plot, The Book Thief has been beloved by readers since its first publication in 2005. It’s received many awards and has been a teacher favorite for reading lists over the years.
So if your child was assigned to read this book or they’ve taken an interest in historical fiction, they’re in for a real reading treat! But just so you know what the book is about, we put all the details you need to know here.
Harmful Content ❗️
The novel does contain some intense and potentially distressing content. It portrays the harsh realities of war, including the suffering and death experienced by various characters. These elements may be emotionally challenging for sensitive readers.
The narration of Death adds an interesting perspective to how these events are described. Death’s character is melancholy and sentimental and is always trying to make sense of the human spirit. His language is rich with imagery and metaphor, to the point that it may be hard for younger readers to follow along with.
Language
The Book Thief does have frequent adult language — but it’s mostly in German. Notably, Liesel’s host mother frequently calls other characters (Leisel included) “saumensch” and “saukerl” which means “b*tch” and “b*stard” respectively. Though these are vulgar terms, more often than not, they are used endearingly between friends and family.
Sex
There is little mention of sex.
Violence
Given the context of WWII and the narration of Death itself, the book is already set to have a generally darker tone. The depictions of violence are integral to the plot and historical context but are described in a manner that is direct but not gratuitous.
Positive Value 💫
Despite the darker themes, The Book Thief also explores formative themes of courage, the power of words and literature, and the resilience of the human spirit. The characters demonstrate profound kindness and bravery, teaching kids valuable lessons about empathy, hope, and the impact of storytelling. It’s the kind of good story that even those who aren’t big readers will find themselves wrapped up in Liesel’s story and moved by Death’s interpretation of her life.
So, should my kid read it?
Yes! But we’d say, given the more mature themes around war and death, this book is good for ages 13 and up.
