The Book Thief

Zusak, Markus.  The Book Thief.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. Print. 9780375831003; hardcover;  $17.99 USD.

Set in Germany during World War II, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, a young girl sent to live with a foster family in a suburb of Munich.  The story of Liesel's young life is narrated by Death, as he travels around Europe collecting souls lost to the war.  Death encounters Liesel on several occasions as those close to her are carried off, and becomes fascinated by her tale.  Before she can even read, Liesel steals her first book, The Gravedigger's Handbook, unofficially making her the book thief.  When her foster father teaches her to read, her desire to steal books only increases.  Liesel slowly begins to understand the power of words, both in her personal life, and in Nazi era Germany. 

Although the book is lengthy, Markus Zusak draws the reader in with his poetic style of writing.   Zusak weaves the story around historical events, without going into full detail about the events as they happen.  Background knowledge of war era Germany is helpful in understanding some events as they impact Liesel and her close knit neighborhood.  The book is best for grades 10 and up.  Despite the wealth of novels set during WWII, this one sets itself apart in its subject matter.  Unlike other works, it does not focus on the plight of the Jews or the American version of the story.  It instead focuses on a lower class German family.  They do not believe in the rhetoric of Hitler, but do try to blend in with those who do in order to survive.  This book is recommended for both school and public libraries, as it presents a fresh point of view and can be appreciated by both young adult and adult readers.

The Teen Book Video Awards are open to student filmmakers who create book trailers for new YA novels.  In 2006, Jon Haller won with this entry for The Book Thief.

"I don't really read a lot on my own but I read The Book Thief  for school and it was really good.  I don't read a lot of historical stuff, but I like this one because it was historical but not boring like some books." - Genna L., Age 15

The Outsiders

Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders.  New York: Dell, 1989.  Print.  0440967694; paperback; $4.50 USD.

S.E. Hinton's debut novel, The Outsiders, is well established as a classic young adult text.  Hinton tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, an orphaned young teenager being raised by his two older brothers.  Ponyboy is smart, athletic and does well in school, but him and his brothers are Greasers, a gang from the rough side of town.  The Greasers are involved in a constant struggle with a more privileged gang, the "Socs."  A scuffle ensues over Ponyboy's association with a girl from the Socs at a movie one night.  When one of the Socs end up murdered, Ponyboy and his friend Johnny fearfully flee town and try to figure out what to do.  As they deal with a series of tragedies, the Greasers lean on one another like a close knit family.

Hinton wrote the book when she was a teenager herself, and this shows through in her realistic description of Ponyboy's struggle to understand what is going on around him.  Hinton calls into question the tough, hard stereotype image gang members, and shows their vulnerable, teenage side.  Although written several decades ago, the themes of family, friendship and social strife will still resonate with teenagers today. 

Check out this book trailer with an interview by S. E. Hinton: