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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak — book cover

Historical Fiction

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

  • Featured
  • Reading Challenge Pick

Narrated by Death, the story of a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books and reads them aloud in a basement.

Genre
Historical Fiction
Audience
Adult · Young Adult
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  • World War II
  • Unusual narrator
  • Emotional

About the book

Zusak's novel gives its narration to Death, who observes Liesel Meminger's small acts of theft, friendship and defiance on Himmel Street.

Why we recommend it

An unusual narrator used with real purpose, and one of the few books that earns its ending twice over.

Reading challenge selection

Prompt: A Book You Can't Put Down

Readers routinely report finishing it in two sittings, then handing it on.

Explore Challenge Books

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