The Heavyweight Champion of the School-Yard

Blog #4 (due 9/16): 
Select one of the following discussion questions and write a 250-word response based on our reading of The Book Thief pg. 108-153.

1.  Describe what happens at school when Sister Maria asks the children to read.  How does Liesel react?  How does Liesel express her anger and frustration?  How does Liesel demonstrate perseverance?  Have you ever had a similar experience at school?  How can we learn from our own challenges in the classroom?  Back up your opinion with two quotes from the book and be sure to use proper MLA format for in-text citations and Works Cited.

2.  Describe the second time Liesel steals a book.  Is Liesel acting bravely or dangerously?  If you were a ‘Book Thief’, which book do you love enough to go to extraordinary lengths to secure?   Alternatively, what do you hold dear? What is it, and what would you be prepared to do in order to ensure its safety and safekeeping?   Also, to what lengths would you go to save or rescue something of value to your best friend?  Back up your opinion with two quotes from the book and be sure to use proper MLA format for in-text citations and Works Cited.


3.  Describe Liesel & Papa's conversation on the church steps after the Nazi book-burning.  What is the significance of Liesel's realization about her mother?  How does Papa react when Liesel says she "hates the Fuhrer" (115)?  Compare this moment in the book to what Papa does for Liesel on Christmas.  How does Papa show leadership and sacrifice?  How can we apply these qualities in our own lives?  Back up your opinion with two quotes from the book and be sure to use proper MLA format for in-text citations and Works Cited.


4.  Some of us are born with an innate sense of the love of books and reading, while for some it grows and strengthens as we mature.  Describe the first time Liesel sees the Mayor's Library.  How does Liesel react to seeing all of the books?  Have you ever felt inspired to learn or try something new before?  Back up your opinion with two quotes from the book and be sure to use proper MLA format for in-text citations and Works Cited.

A Mountain Range of Rubble & The Grave Digger's Handbook

Blog #3 (due 9/9):  
Select one of the following discussion questions and write a 250-word response based on our reading of The Book Thief pg. 3-107.

1.  What is the effect of having Death serve as the narrator?  What feelings/emotions do you associate with Death and why?

2. In the very beginning of the novel, Death explains that when he comes to carry away a soul, he tries to see colors first and then the people (4). Because he has such a hard time looking at the humans who are left behind, the survivors, Death tries to distract himself by noticing the color of the sky. In this way, he does not have to notice the people who scare him. Since he cannot take a real vacation, - "Who could step in while I take a break...?" - Death must "...vacation in increments. In colors" (5).  Because colors are so important in helping Death cope with his job, he associates each person's death with the color of the sky at the time he comes for the soul. Therefore, when Death describes the three times that he sees Liesel, he associates a color with each incident.  Is there a significant day in your life that you associate with a color or colors?  Describe that day and the significance of the color/s you associate with it.

3.  Liesel believes that Hans Hubermann's eyes show kindness, and from the beginning she feels closer to him than to Rosa Hubermann. How does Hans gain Liesel's love and trust? 

4.  Abandonment is a central theme in the novel. The reader knows that Liesel feels abandoned by her mother and by the death of her brother.  Debate whether she was abandoned by circumstance or by the heart.  Have you ever experienced abandonment?

5.  The Grave Digger’s Handbook is the first book Liesel steals.  Discuss why she hides The Grave Digger’s Handbook under her mattress.  What is the significance of the book to Liesel?  Why is it ironic that Liesel steals books?  Describe Hans Hubermann’s reaction when he discovers the book. 

6.  Describe Liesel and Rudy's friendship in Part One.  How does Rudy help Liesel adjust to her new life on Himmel Street?  Do you have any childhood friends like Rudy?  What does it mean to have a best friend or to be a best friend?  How does friendship change as we get older?