The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (2007, Paperback, Reprint)

The Book Thief is one of the most powerful books that I've ever read. Zusak's refreshing and sensory-soaked use of language is poetic and deeply moving. The story is about a young girl who comes of age in Nazi Germany. She shares life (and life-giving words) with her foster parents, a boy named Rudy (Who is her best friend and desperately wants a kiss:), a Jewish man who's hidden in her basement, and her neighbors that huddle together in air raid shelters as Allied bombs screech down from the sky. If you read this book, be prepared to have your heart scratched raw. Then, as the narrator speaks his last words, be ready to yearn for more.

Very interesting read from a very different perspective. Hats off to the author. Our book club will recommend this to other groups.

This book was recommended by a friend. I loved it. Especially liked the way it was told through the eyes of a small girl, and gave me an insight into the lives of the German people at the time of war.

Once you begin to read the book you can not put it down. It just draws you in and you feel like you know the characters so well. It taps into every emotion.

I loved this book--one of the best I've ever read. Impossible to put down. I bought it at a fair price; it was in good condition; and it was mailed to me promptly. I bought it for reading in my book club.

I bought this for our Book Club selection this month and was a little skeptical because it's considered a Young Adult Fiction, and lately our bookclub has picked a few lame easy read books so it was a very pleasant surprise to get a Y.A. book that you can really dig your teeth into on so many different levels, and given the subject matter, it's surprisingly a page turner as well. My guess is that this will be the new millennium's "Anne Frank" and will be required reading for high school students, and that's a good thing - it's got something for everyone -- teenagers and adults alike. It's written beautifully, creatively, narrated by Death himself, and the message is so sweet and pure; it's all about love and kindness vs. evil. Like Ursala Hegg's "Stones From the River," it anecdotally illustrates how Nazi Germany got so out of hand. I don't want to give anything away, so suffice to say, pick this book up and you'll not put it down till you're finished.

I bought it because it was on the list for my book club. I liked the writing style and the way the characters were presented. However, I had a little trouble following "death personified."

This is a great book despite of its controversial subject matter. It has its lighter moments which helps for a faster read.

I purchased this book because it was recommended to me by a relative, who said it would be a good summer read. The title intrigued me, as books are a passion of mine. When I began reading it, I could not put it down! I was mesmerized by the poetic turn of phrase in the author's style of writing, AND by the use of "Death" as the main voice, or narrator, of the story. Many times I found myself reading back over a phrase, simply for the enjoyment of its images and metaphor. In addition to the pure enjoyment of the language, the story is thoroughly captivating. You care about the people in this book. I learned so much about Nazi Germany from the viewpoints of ordinary citizens who did not support Nazi operations, and, particularly, through the eyes of a young German girl who develops a friendship with a young Jewish man when her family decides to offer him shelter. Through it all, the message of the power of words came through -- how words can be used to change lives and to change situations from unbearable to hopeful. This is not a replica of The Diary of a Young Girl. The girl in this story is not in hiding. She moves about the community freely and belongs to one of the Nazi Youth organizations, but her heart is not in it. What she accomplishes is truly amazing! It's a truly beautiful story, and one I'd recommend heartily!

A+++, A great book to read and share. Although for young adults, it is a great read by any age group.

I bought this because a few people had recommended it, and I found it absolutely to be one of the best books I have ever read.

This story is not just for high school or college kids. Adults will find it just as gripping and powerful.
You can read a review and get the details of the story, so I will just say that when I read the last page and closed the book I sat there holding it for a long time. The pull this story had on me could not be broken suddenly but had to be gradually let go. Zusak is a gifted writer and I cannot wait to read another of his stories.

I bought The Book Thief on the recommendation of a student in one of my classes. I was not disappointed. With Death as the narrator, the story, set during Hitler's infamous reign, is never predictable and is always interesting. Even though the book is classified for young readers, adults too will love reading about the adventures of the book thief.

I started reading this book in my college reading class and WOW it grabbed my attention so quick...and let me tell ya im not a book person. This book just paints a great picture in your head i cant put it down. It describes life in Nazi german so well and ill agree with the back it deserves a spot next to Anne Franks diary "The Diary of a young girl" like WOW this is a life changing book. I HIGHLY recommend it :)