The Book Thief is the story of a German girl named Liesel Meminger during World War II. It is narrated by Death, who adds in many beautiful quotes. I was in love with this book and could not stop talking about it. I feel sorry for my friends, who have heard nothing but "The Book Thief is amazing! Oh my gosh, you have to read it!" for over a month. They lived in despair when the film version was released during 2013. The film did great justice to the book and was very touching.
Liesel is fostered by the Hubermanns who live on Himmel Street. It is there she meets Rudy Steiner, her soon to be best friend and accomplice in mischief. A Jew named Max Vandenburg is taken into hiding by the Hubermanns, and this is where Liesel's life changes. She is no longer a little girl, but now she has to grow up and be alert, secretive, and careful. Otherwise, Max and her family will face serious danger. Words comfort Liesel – she spills them out into her diary, and laps them up in book after book.
There is one thing for certain. I didn't read The Book Thief – I lived in The Book Thief. I felt Liesel's emotions, her anger, frustration, love, confusion and sorrow. I saw Rudy's lemon-coloured hair, and I smiled back at his eager grin. I smelt the paint and tobacco lingering on Hans Hubermann's clothes, and I missed it when it wasn't there. And I heard the voice of Death narrating the story, right from the very beginning.
The end of The Book Thief left me in tears. It was so beautiful, moving and emotional, and it left me convinced that I had read one of the best books I would ever read in my life. Markus Zusak led me on a journey that you can only experience in the most wonderful books. And, as Max Vandenburg so rightly said, "you're full of wonders".
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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