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Book of Ice- First Book
Liesel Meminger was standing next to her brother's grave. The mood of this scene is cold and bitter. The author creates a sad picture of Liesel standing in the snow, crying. Suddenly she sees a black object in the snow. She picks up "The Grave Digger's Handbook" and it is her first act of thievery. -
Bed-Wetting and Reading
Liesel awoke from a nightmare and knew she had wet the bed. Hans came in and helped her change the sheets. A little book was under the sheets, "The Grave Digger's Handbook." He realized that Liesel could not read. He taught her the alphabet and they read all through the night. -
World War II Begins
World War II begins in Nazi Germany. Death is busy and will be come even busier. Liesel comes to live with Hans and Rosa Hubermann, her foster parents. Her papa plays the accordion and her mama is strict. Liesel can't read or write, but she will learn soon. -
Book of Fire- The Second Book
It is Hitler's birthday and Nazi Germany celebrates with a book burning. After the pile of books and papers have been burned, Liesel comes upon the closest book she could reach. It was a book of fire, "The Shoulder Shrug." Suddenly she sees a shadow who had seen the whole thing! It was the mayor's wife. The book is a symbol of knowledge because in Nazi Germany, they did not want people to have knowledge. -
Liesel and Rudy
During that summer Liesel and Rudy Steiner joined the older kids and their apple stealing adventure. They climbed over the fence and raced to fill thier sacks with apples. Rudy and Liesel ate six apples apiece and knew they would get sick. They both vomited that night. The apples are a symbol of power because stealing gives someone power. -
In the Library
The room was full of books. Book of all different colors and sizes. Each wall was packed with books! Liesel spent the summer reading in the mayor's wife's library. It was a dream to be surrounded by books. It is ironic that Liesel is young girl in Nazi Germany who loves books. She was discovering the power of words! -
The Hubermanns Hide a Jew
Max Vandenburg arrives at 33 Himmel Street, the Hubermann house. He held a suitcase and "Mein Kampf" by Adolf Hitler. He had the key in his hand and he felt so selfish that he was doing this. These were dangerous times and hiding a Jew in your home is the most dangerous thing you could do. -
The Standover Man
Max Vandenburg gives Liesel a birthday gift, "The Standover Man." The book was about Max's life and how men were always standing over him. He never had a true friend until Liesel and he realized that the best standover man he'd known was not a man at all. -
Stealing the Third Book
Liesel opened the window to the library. She was hungry for a book. It had been a while since she had stolen one. Her best friend Rudy had gone with her. Rudy stood watch while she snuck in to steal "The Whistler." -
The Floating Book
Liesel had been busy reading "The Whistler" by the Amper River, when Viktor Chemmel grabbed the book out of her hands and threw it in the river. He started beating up Rudy and soon left. Rudy waded through the cold water and reached out for the book. He handed her the book, as they both stood waist-deep in water. "How about a kiss?" he asked Liesel. -
The Snowman
There was snow outside and Liesel and brought snow down to the basement to show Max. Liesel said, "We have to make a snowman." She made a snowman down in the basement for Max. The snowman is a symbol of how fragil life is and how everyone "melts" away and all you carry is the memory of them. -
The Word Shaker
Rosa gives Liesel "The Word Shaker" by Max Vandenburg. Max left a few months earlier and Max wanted Rosa to give it to Liesel at the right time. It was another book of friendship between Liesel and Max. Liesel read the book and dreamed it that night. -
The Teddy Bear
Out by the Amper River, Rudy could see smoke and fire. Liesel and Rudy start running to see what had happened. It was a enemy plane that had crashed. The pilot was near death. Rudy pulled out a teddy bear he had in his toolbox and set it next to the dying man. The teddy bear is a smybol of comfort and companionship for the dying man. -
Homecoming
Hans comes back from the LSE with a broken leg. Liesel hugs him forever and would not let him go. She said "Papa, Papa" at least a hundred times. While Hans was at war, his accordian stood for safety and hope that he would return home soon. -
The Book Thief
Liesel is given a little black book by the mayor's wife. She decides to write about her life. "The Book Thief" a small story by Liesel Meminger. She spent nights writing it down in the basement when everyone was asleep. The last line of her story was, "I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right." -
Dominoes
Dominoes represent fate. Once they fall you can't stop the other ones from falling. They are a symbol of death and war. Once one bad thing happens you can't stop other bad things from happening. There is much foreshadowing in the novel that leads up to the saddest part of the novel--DEATH! -
Death
Himmel Street had just been bombed. Death had come and taken the souls of Rudy, Rosa, Hans, and many more. Liesel was running through the rubble and debris. She saw Rudy, his eyes were closed and his lemon hair was dirty. "Rudy, wake up. Please wake up. I love you." Rudy did not wake. Liesel sobbed on his chest and kissed his dirty lips. Then she discovered Rosa and Hans. She hugged Mama and placed Hans's accordion next to him. The motif of the novel is Death, the narrator.
