The Book Thief
Zusak, Markus

RRP
A$49.99

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery.

So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jewish fist-fighter in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

The Book Thief is a story about the power of words to make worlds. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

The Book Thief Film Discussion Guide

Notes from The Book Thief Film

Author Information

Markus Zusak lives in Sydney with his wife, daughter and son. He has written five novels: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry, The Messenger and in 2005 The Book Thief was published. It has gone on to sell over eight million copies in thirty eight languages.