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Do-It-Yourself Discussions

Want to lead your own Book Thief discussion? Try these conversation starters:

1. Some of the novel’s themes include: abandonment and loss, the power of words (both effective and dangerous), love and trust, and guilt. How did the novel’s plot and characters reveal these themes? What other themes did you discover?

2. How did Max’s life give Liesel purpose? What is the significance of Max’s story called “The Standover Man”?

3. Was Death an effective or ineffective narrator?

4. What was your reaction to Zusak’s poetic style?

5. Death said Liesel was a girl “with a mountain to climb” (page 86). What was her mountain? Who were her climbing partners? What did she find at the summit?

6. How did Leisel’s relationship with Hans, Rudy, Max, Rosa, and the Mayor’s wife change over time?

7. The Book Thief deals with many contrasting feelings. Discuss the feelings of innocence and inhumanity; life and death; love and hate; truth and lies; beauty and brutality; sadness and joy.

8. Who do you think is Liesel’s most unforgettable friend?

9. There were no cowards in the Hubermann household. How did each member demonstrate courage throughout the novel?