Vocabulary

In The Book Thief there is a combination of elevated diction and informal diction. The use of elevated diction is used when discussing Hitler or in conversations with adults. The informal diction is mostly used when Liesel is talking to Rudy. The author of this book really makes you feel like you are in the book by using an engaging technique. This technique is incorporating German words into the text of the book. By using these words, it makes you feel as if you are actually there. During Liesel's birthday, Max says, "Alles Gute zum Geburstag" (page 187). This translates to, all the best for your birthday, which is translated in the book.

The use of elevated diction in this book shows sophistication. A good use of elevated diction is, "The nightmares arrived like they always did, much like the best player in the opposition when you've heard rumors that he might be injured or sick - but there he is, warming up with the rest of them, ready to take the field" (page 186). The use of this quote in the book compares the nightmares Liesel and Max have to the best player in the opposition. On this same page a couple of paragraphs down there is informal diction. It reads, "The trick was to keep them apart" (page 186). This quote is very straight forward and easy to read. The use of both elevated diction and informal diction contribute to how the reader interprets certain events. The coolest thing, vocabulary wise, that this book has to offer is the couple of sentences, here and there, that are in German.

"Make the words your own"

The Struggle

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy... Rudy is Liesel's best friend. He is a blonde little boy who says it like it is, and doesn't like taking instructions from another person. With his personality, Hitler's Youth Camp doesn't necessarily sit well with him, to say the least. It is now to the point where he has started skipping sessions. He was pushed to the point when his friend Tommy, who is part deaf, was getting beat up.  Naturally, Rudy stood up for his friend, and that got him into some big trouble. He has been struggling to get by. The book said, "As for Rudy, so far this year he'd swallowed mud, bathed himself in fertilizer, been half-strangled by a developing criminal, and was now receiving something at least nearing the icing on the cake- public humiliation on Munich Street" (Zusak 235). All of the struggles mentioned in the quote started out at Hitler's Youth Camps.

Not only does Rudy have to face these problems on a daily basis, but he hasn't told his family yet. His family has no idea that he has been skipping. When they find out, they will make him return to the camps. I predict that eventually, Rudy will be caught, have to go back to the camps, and get punished even more.

Liesel and Rudy running through the streets

Dear Fuhrer

Dear Fuhrer,

I along with the rest of the Jewish population don't support what you have chosen to do with us. We have many chosen words for you that for the sake of politeness have not been included. Do you even realize that we are people too, and that we all have the same rights to life? I have a family. I have a religion. And most importantly I have a future, that now thanks to you, doesn't look much longer. I am not the only Jew that is worried about the safety of myself, my family, and my friends. 

I bet you don't know how many supporters you actually have. One of my closest friends is a Nazi, and he helped me escape and find a safe house. His name will not be enclosed for the sake of his safety. I bet your proud of what you have accomplished with your life. You have people scared out of their mind when you walk into the room. I am having nightmares thanks to you. Last night, I had a dream where you had me stand in front of the Nazi's, while you tormented me. All of your followers sounded like robots when they responded to your demands "Yes Fuhrer!" Ha! Do you realize how insensible you are?

I have given up EVERYTHING due to your discrimination against us. You had better sleep with your eyes open at night, and always have your back covered... because let me tell you, there are many people out to get you. But in all sincerity, I hope you realize what a self-centered jerk you are.

Sincerely, 
Max Vandenburg

P.S. Good luck finding me! I am hiding where you will NEVER find me!

The Most Important Line Is...

I don't know about you guys, but when you read that one line in a book, it sticks with you. I am not even half way done reading The Book Thief yet, but there is one line that has stuck in my head. It doesn't have much to do with the characters themselves, but with their society during this time period. The narrator of the book stated, "Each night, before the descent into sleep, she would hear Mama and Papa in the kitchen, discussing what had been done, what they were doing now, and what needed to happen next" (Zusak 178). To me, this quote is very powerful. It addresses the past, present, and future. These are three things that the characters are all worried about. Like us, they have dreams and desires, but that is where the similarities end. While we are concerned about our future education and possible job paths, the Hubermann's are concerned about the Jew, Max, that is hiding in their basement.

Keeping Max hidden and secretive, while not getting caught is their main concern. Of course, this is a hard task during the time period of Nazi Germany. Which is why Mama and Papa are discussing how they will get by the next day, every night. This is significant to the entire book because the whole book is about the struggles of not being a Nazi, in the Nazi environment.

Max

If you had to choose now, what is your biggest dream or desire?... probably not hiding a Jew in your basement.

Setting

Have you ever read a book, where once you pick it up, you can't put it down? I have experienced many books like this. Among my list, is now The Book Thief. I LOVE historical fiction books! This book falls into that category. It takes place in Germany during the rise of Adolf Hitler. For those of you who have history this trimester, it's just like what we've been learning.

Liesel Meminger is the main character of this book. She has a very unique history. She never knew much about her father because he disappeared when she was really young. He was a communist during the time of Hitler. Her mother gave her to a foster family so that she could find some safety. Without the setting of this book, there would be no story. Liesel's foster family lives on Himmel Street. "The Hubermanns lived in one of the small, boxlike houses on Himmel Street. A few rooms, a kitchen, and a shared outhouse with neighbors. The roof was flat and there was a shallow basement for storage" (Zusak 29). This quote gives us a picture of what type of living arrangements Liesel lives in.

On another note, I have learned a little bit more about what kid's life under Hitler was like. When Liesel turned 10 years old, she had to enroll in Hitler Youth. "The first thing they did there was make sure your 'heil Hitler' was working properly. Then you were taught to march straight, roll bandages, and sew up clothes. You were also taken hiking and on other such activities" (Zusak 36). Can you imagine learning these things from the government at age 10? I know I can't. This quote describes to us what types of activities the Hitler Youth participated in.

I am at the part in the book where it is Hitler's birthday, so there is a huge parade and a big bonfire. Now, this isn't a fun bonfire where you get to roast 'smores. It's a bonfire to burn books and communist posters. I can't wait to see what Liesel will do next!

Connections

Although, I am not very far along in this book yet, I have been able to make connections already.

Text-to-Text: When I think of a book thief, the first person who comes to mind is Guy Montag in Fahrenheit 451. Even in a society where it is illegal to read books, Montag keeps a secret stash of books to read in his ventilator grill. I feel like the main girl in The Book Thief, will also have to overcome a similar struggle. A quote from Fahrenheit 451 to support Montag's struggle is, "He put his hand back up and took out two books and moved his hand down and dropped the two books to the floor. He kept moving his hand and dropping books, small ones fairly large ones, yellow, red, green ones. When he was done he looked down upon some twenty books lying at his wife's feet" (page 63). This occurs at the part in the book where Montag reveals his secret stash to Mildred. Mildred is shocked, and doesn't know what to think. What would you do if you knew someone who did something illegal, such as hiding books in this society? Would you turn them in like Mildred did?

Text-to-World: In the beginning of The Book Thief, the narrator describes things in color. It is an effective idea to use colors because each color has a different feeling associated with it. A quote from the book to describe this is, "Next is a signature black, to show the poles of my versatility, if you like. It was the darkest moment before the dawn" (page 14). The author carries on this concept, and at the beginning of each chapter uses a different color. I felt this could be related to Taylor Swift's song Red. In her song she relates loving some guy to the color red. Red Lyrics.

Text-to-Self: Personally, I love reading. But that being said, there are certain books I won't read. But, if books were all together taken away from me and society, I would probably become a modern-day book thief. This connects to the book because the author sets the book up where you want to root for the book thief and what she stands for. I can relate to her on a personal level because I share the same love for books with her.

So far, I am really enjoying this book! I can't wait to keep reading and meet more of the characters.

Choosing The Book Thief

After a rather short, yet relaxing spring break, we are back at school. I have to admit, I did not read quite as much as I had hoped to over spring break. Nonetheless, I finally finished Touch & Go, and have moved onto The Book Thief. I have not begun reading this book yet, so I decided to share what made me pick it up in the first place.

When I hear of a good book, I add it to my eWish List on my nook. I heard about this book a while back, added it to my list, then it just sat there. I found out they were making it into a movie, and that still didn't motivate me to pick up this book. I kept wondering to myself, what exactly is this book about... a book thief? I read the synopsis, and that only clarified a couple of my questions. I put these questions in the back of my mind. However, after finishing Fahrenheit 451, I got a better understanding of what kind of society doesn't want books being read. I came back to this book and read the synopsis again. It sounded more interesting this time around, so I decided to get it. I viewed the movie trailer, which only got me more anxious to read it! I sure hope it is as good as everyone is letting on!

                                                         The Book Thief Movie Trailer

 

Synopsis and Reviews