“First the humans.
Then the colors.
That's usually how I see things.
Or at least, how I try.”
This is how The Book Thief begins. It is the story of Liesel, a child in Nazi Germany. Unlike most World War II books, Liesel is not a Jew, although she befriends one who appears in the dead of the night. She grows up with her foster parents, Hans, a man with melting silver eyes, and Rosa, a wardrobe of a woman.
Although narrated by Death, the story is not dark in the expected way. Liesel's story is almost like poetry, as Death describes Rudy, Liesel's best friend with lemon hair, and Max, a Jewish fist fighter with feathers for hair, and the many adventures Liesel has with them.
This book is my absolute favorite. It makes me laugh, cry, and fall in love every time I read it. It shows the challenges a young girl faces in Nazi Germany when she discovers the power of words. It is perfect for those who like historical fiction, poetry, sarcasm, suspense, friendship, symbolism, and meaning. It shows the poorer side of Germany during the war and the consequences of hiding a Jew, the struggle to discover words and the problem of that one boy who will always love you. It shows how to let go and live. This is one book I recommend to all my friends, and not one of them has disliked it.
Then the colors.
That's usually how I see things.
Or at least, how I try.”
This is how The Book Thief begins. It is the story of Liesel, a child in Nazi Germany. Unlike most World War II books, Liesel is not a Jew, although she befriends one who appears in the dead of the night. She grows up with her foster parents, Hans, a man with melting silver eyes, and Rosa, a wardrobe of a woman.
Although narrated by Death, the story is not dark in the expected way. Liesel's story is almost like poetry, as Death describes Rudy, Liesel's best friend with lemon hair, and Max, a Jewish fist fighter with feathers for hair, and the many adventures Liesel has with them.
This book is my absolute favorite. It makes me laugh, cry, and fall in love every time I read it. It shows the challenges a young girl faces in Nazi Germany when she discovers the power of words. It is perfect for those who like historical fiction, poetry, sarcasm, suspense, friendship, symbolism, and meaning. It shows the poorer side of Germany during the war and the consequences of hiding a Jew, the struggle to discover words and the problem of that one boy who will always love you. It shows how to let go and live. This is one book I recommend to all my friends, and not one of them has disliked it.
This piece has been published in Teen Ink’s monthly print magazine.
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