Amy's Blog

Pages 509-550

I think that everyone should read this book if they have a chance. This book is really different from other books because it mixes happiness with the depression of the war going on in Germany. The book also gives some insights about how Germans’s lives were during World War II. I think that the best part of the book is when Liesel realized her love for books. Reading books was a major way for Liesel to keep her sanity during the war. They brought her happiness during dark times. I think the worst part of the book is when Himmler street gets bombed and everyone but Liesel dies. I feel that this truly makes Liesel feel alone because she has no one left. I did like the ending of the book. I like that Liesel saw Max again and that she lived for many more years and had a family. I think that the book needed to end off on a good note because there was so much depression in the middle of the book.

Pages 473-509

I feel like reading this book, so far, has really helped me understand what Germans lives during the Holocaust was like. Many people were poor and had to steal from others. For example, Liesel and Rudy steal food so they’re not starving. Many people were also in a depression from all of the deaths that were happening around them. Frau Holtzapfel, one of Liesel’s neighbors on Himmel a Street, son killed himself because he couldn’t bear living in Germany with the war going on. This was Frau Holtzapfel’s second son that died in the span of six months. This book has changed me because now I know that not all of the Germans lives were grea during the Holocaust. I didn’t know that many of them were depressed and scared for their lives. I understand now that even though Germany had a lot of power during World War II, many people’s lives.

pgs. 335-389

This book, so far, has taught me a lot about the Holocaust that I didn’t know. I’ve learned a lot about German citizens daily lives. For example, I learned that most of the Germans have read Mein Kamf(My Struggle), a book written by Hitler, and many thought it was the greatest book to be written. Many kids were also very influenced by their Hitler Youth meetings. They believed all of the propaganda against Jews. Some questions I would like to be answered about the book is; Are Liesel’s adoptive partners for Hitler or against him, What’s going to happen to Rudy, and Is Liesel ever going to see her mother again. I hope that the further I read the book, my questions are going to be answered.

pgs. 297-334

I think if the book would be set 50 years later than the time period it is now, the book would be completely different. The time period in the book now is during the Holocaust, where most of the population in Germany follows Hitler. In the book, a Jew, Max is hiding in the basement from the Nazis. If the book was set 50 years later Max wouldn’t have to be hiding because there’s really no prejudice against Jews now. Liesel was sent to foster care by her mother so she could be safer in Germany. Liesel’s mother wouldn’t have to send her to another family if the book was set 50 years later. Honestly if the book was set decades later, it wouldn’t have the same tone and situations it has now.

Pg. 241-297

Max, the German Jew, starts to exercise in the basement. He daydreams about fighting Adolf Hitler, in which he “wins” the fight. The mayor’s wife tells Liesel that she’s firing Liesel’s mother. She then tries to give Liesel her favorite book, The Whistler but Liesel doesn’t accept. Liesel and Rudy then come up with a plan to steal from the mayor and his wife. They carry out their plan but Liesel only manages to steal a book. Max starts to draw more pages for Liesel’s book. The first drawing is hitler giving a speech and the second drawing shows two people walking on top of a mountain of dead bodies with the swatsika in the top.

As I read I felt that Max was getting really closed off from society. He only talks to Liesel and he spends his days drawing, painting and exercising. I feel that if I was in his situation I would act similar to him or crazier than him. When Liesel and Rudy stole from the mayor I began to think of this as the ending of their innocence. They’re started to steal from others and I feel that they know the reality of what’s happening in Germany. I feel like many of the kids in Germany lost their innocence early in their childhood because of the Holocaust.

I think that the title of the novel, The Book Thief, really fits the book because Liesel loves to read books so she steals them. Max even gives Liesel a book he wrote for her birthday, This kinda reminds me of myself because I love to read books and every chance I have I read. I feel like the book would be way different if it was completely from Max’s perspective. Max is a German Jew who is hiding from the Nazis in Liesel’s basement. He has been through a lot because of all the Anti-Semitism in Germany. Max shares Liesel’s love of reading, which helps him have some form of communication with the outside world. I think that if the book was from his perspective, it would describe his struggles and worries during the Holocaust.

I think one of the most believable parts in the book is when Liesel’s adoptive family keeps a Jew, Max Vandenburg in their basement. Liesel’s adoptive mother makes sure that Max isn’t starving and that he has a comfortable bed. I feel like many German families who had Jewish relatives or friends would protect them during the Holocaust. I don’t understand why Hans, Liesel’s adoptive father, is allowing Max to come into his home. I feel like that’s a huge risk for Hans, who isn’t liked by the Nazi Party. I think that next Hans and Max will be caught by the Nazi officials. I predict that Max will be taken to a concentration camp or to do labor in Germany.