The Book Thief

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• The Book Thief takes place during one of the most horrific periods of human history. On balance, did you find this story more depressing or more uplifting? Why?
• Liesel turns to words as a source of strength and healing as she copes with the repeated traumas in her young life. Does Zusak’s story make a persuasive case that words really have this kind of power? Might The Book Thief itself have this kind of power for some readers?
• Have you encountered other stories that take place during World War II? How would you compare and contrast the messages that these different sources convey about war and humanity?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• On page 173, Death comments “I am haunted by humans.” What does this mean? What aspects of human behavior baffle and frustrate you?
• How would you describe Death’s personality? How did this personality impact your reaction to Death as a narrator? How does your reaction relate to your own feelings about human mortality?
• What is The Book Thief’s perspective on war? Do you agree or disagree with this perspective? Why?
• Rudy’s death teaches Liesel a sad lesson about appreciating people before it is too late. What role do you think loss plays in teaching people to be grateful for what they have and to live in the present moment? Do you think there are other ways to learn these lessons?
• Many characters in this story end up dying. Which character’s death impacted you the most? Why?
• The characters in The Book Thief have to make many hard moral choices. Which of these choices did you most agree with? Which did you disagree with?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• In The Book Thief, paint is a symbol of the way humanity can turn its tools and creative powers to both good and bad uses. What real-life examples can you think of where a human tool or creative ability is used for both positive and negative purposes?
• Many of the characters in the novel disagree with their government’s choices, but it is unsafe for them to openly defy the government. Which world governments today make it most difficult for their own citizens to protest and defy government positions? Is it completely safe to defy the law in any country?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• The Book Thief has an unusual narrative point of view. How does Death’s perspective differ from the perspective a reader might expect from a human narrator? How does this perspective contribute to the book’s messages about death and the human condition?
• What principle structures Chapters 1-80 into smaller sections? What is the central focus of each of these smaller sections? How do the ideas conveyed in these sections build on one another to create larger themes?
• What is a “paradox”? Which characters exhibit paradoxical behavior? What point is Zusak making about people by portraying characters in this way?
• The title of the book focuses attention on the idea of stealing. What kinds of theft are committed in this story? What is the novel’s perspective on these different kinds of stealing?
• How does the lyrical language in the book—its frequent images, similes, and metaphors, for example—help to create its tone? How does this language deepen meaning and create emphasis? 

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you could magically put any one book in Liesel’s way so that she could discover it and absorb its messages, which book would you choose? What do you think reading this book would add to Liesel’s life?
• How would this story be different if Liesel were the narrator? How might you rewrite a specific scene from her point of view? How do your changes impact the meaning of this scene?

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources.