Age: 16-adult

This novel provides a new perspective to WWII stories by giving sympathy to the Germans: for those that risked their lives to hide Jewish people and to those that were unknowingly swept into the tragedy of war. Truly a phenomenal work of art, suspense, characterization, and haunting foreshadowing. Although the ending is graphic and somewhat over-dramatized it fits with the horrors caused by one man's ownership over words. The characters are masterfully genuine, allowing their life's experiences to be truthful, gripping, and terrible. This really is a life changing book.


"It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, this is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau" (Goodreads feature review).