The Book Thief Essay

In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, Liesel Meminger was nine when her brother died, then less than twenty-four hours later her mother was gone. Liesel has gone through more hardships in her youth than most people have gone through in their entire life. Throughout her life she has had an ever changing personality and is a very dynamic person. She has stolen books and the heart of a neighbor boy. Liesel is a memorable character and has a important story to tell about Germany and the life of her and her family.
Liesel arrived at Himmel Street in Germany towards the beginning of World War II, and enrolled in the Hitler Youth Organization when she was of age. During her time on Himmel Street she slowly learned about books and reading, she learned to love them and want to read more. She stole books from the street and from a library atop a hill and those words became her life. While her home she bombed she read to the people in her bomb shelter. The words she read were her escape and they became the escape for the people in the shelter too. Liesel was working on her own story when everyone around her died. In the chaos of her home being bombed, carried her books with her as she looked for her family.

Liesel stole a total of five books while she lived on Himmel Street.

The reason she did was to take the words she was missing and learn them. The first book Liesel stole was The Grave Digger’s Handbook. This was the first book she read and the book that helped her learn to read. Reading and words were very important to her and as well as the time she spent with her Papa learning how to read. From the midnight classes to painting words on the wall in the basement. Most of the memories she cherished were memories that had to do with books. As Liesel grew older the words Max wrote stories for her and they meant so much to her. Words had a huge an impact on her life when she was

younger.
As well as stealing books, Liesel also stole the heart of a neighbor boy named Rudy Steiner. She befriended Rudy after a routine soccer game on Himmel Street. After that they were the best of friends. Liesel trusted and cared for him but not as much as Rudy cared for her. Liesel cherished this relationship and so did Rudy because often they were in the same situation. They both stole food for themselves and Rudy helped Liesel steal books and they never questioned each other. It was not until Rudy died that Liesel finally realized how much he meant to her and her life.
Liesel was a thief of many things but she did not deserve the pain she received when she was a little girl. Liesel is a very dynamic personality and is a unique person. She has persevered through many challenges and is still the same little girl she was before she lived in Himmel Street. The things Liesel stole meant a lot to her, such as her books. Her books meant so much to her because of they way they made her feel. Liesel stole Rudy’s heart on accident but that brought her a relationship she would cherish and appreciate forever.