tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post3357612658454794528..comments2023-07-05T00:56:47.799-07:00Comments on Mrs. F-B's Book Blog: The Book Thief - Makus ZusakMrs. FBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603888073117147506noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-88123246324145815222014-03-24T14:59:15.228-07:002014-03-24T14:59:15.228-07:00I can see that you have written his years ago, so ...I can see that you have written his years ago, so this is just a shot in the dark. I just read <b>The Book Thief</b> and created a discussion blog post here http://theloyalbookworm.wordpress.com/. If you are up for it, I would love to hear some of your responses to my questions!<br />Thank you for your insight! I look forward to reading some of your other works!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-89821435641065370782009-07-23T16:11:12.382-07:002009-07-23T16:11:12.382-07:00To anonymous - I think this book is very appropria...To anonymous - I think this book is very appropriate for mature middle schoolers who have some background on the Holocaust. It would also be a great one for a parent and student to read together to discuss. This book has become what's known in publishing as a crossover book - it appeals to YA-adult. There are a lot of nuances younger readers just don't have the life experience to process, so they'll probably miss those. This is one of those books that readers (of any age) will get more out of each time they read it, especially as they get older.<br /><br />Younger readers, less mature readers, or readers without background in the Holocaust will likely not get much out of this book, or, indeed, even choose to start, let alone finish, it. It's a very thick book! <br /><br />Best, Erin FBMrs. F-B's Books Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03545553396503839466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-34614354728418400332009-07-23T15:57:07.823-07:002009-07-23T15:57:07.823-07:00Do you think The Book Thief is appropriate for adv...Do you think The Book Thief is appropriate for advanced junior high school kids?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-39105949361682295022009-07-04T13:04:47.075-07:002009-07-04T13:04:47.075-07:00A gem of a book! The author's judicious choic...A gem of a book! The author's judicious choice of words, unforgettable images and scenes, the character development, and, yes, the unusual narrator, Death. <br /> <br />All of the characters have a underdog quality that makes you root for every one of them, the damaged mayor's wife included, to survive Nazi Germany and thrive. But my favorite? It's a tough choice between Liesel and the narrator Death. Liesel: her tenacity and kindness, her hunger for books that drives her to steal them, her skill with words and images, her ability to form special relationships, her heartfelt but unspoken love...How sad on the last page to realize we will not learn about all of her life.<br /> <br />The narrator, whom I quickly came to call "The Angel of Death": so human, a victim himself who grieves the loss of the deaths brought on by humans and the Nazis, overworked and misunderstood. He is not the one who brings death but instead is the one who is there at the moment of death to gently cup, lift and transport the soul. An angel indeed. <br /> <br />The importance of words! The author gives us the extra bonus of a reminder of the importance of words. How trite but true: the power of words! They can incite, inform, comfort...and we were privy to all these and more in "The Book Thief".<br /> <br />Truly a great book that stays with you, touches your heart and makes you think. Markus Zusak, thank you so very much.<br /><br />Comments by CeCeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-74236676274355758062009-07-02T10:38:08.713-07:002009-07-02T10:38:08.713-07:00Thanks for posting your thoughts about this book! ...Thanks for posting your thoughts about this book! I really enjoyed reading The Book Thief. After our discussion last night, I thought more about Death being portrayed as a “him”. Is there anywhere in the book that gives a physical description of this being? It occurred to me that Death is really a male – does he have the same physical characteristics of a human male? If so – his burden would be heavier if he shared any traits with humans (thus causing them to haunt him). It seemed that Death only came to aid in human souls – nothing was mentioned about others (obviously would distract from the story). Thinking of death as a sentient being has taken me all over the place! (I am still working on finishing the book, so please forgive me if I’m missing something that I haven’t read yet!) In addition to these physical characteristics, there are other instances where we apply human thought processes and feelings to animals (i.e. March of the Penguins or Nemo) so I found myself imagining Death having a cup of tea after work… then I remember CeeCee’s comments about the ANGEL – and try to picture a different image.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14659497894113065540noreply@blogger.com