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EHS Gifted & Talented Academy Foundations of World Literature Summer Reading Assignment Overview Summer reading is an integral part of the English curriculum of the EHS Gifted Academy, and I firmly believe that it helps students to prepare for the challenges of the academic year ahead. World Literature students are required to read one book this summer: The Book Thief, by Australian author Markus Zusak (2005). In addition to the close reading of the summer reading book, students are also required to complete a written essay assignment. The purpose of this assignment is to guide student thinking in the absence of a teacher. Assignments are due on the first day of school. Summary of The Book Thief During the dark days leading up to World War II, nine-year-old Liesel Meminger is sent to live with a foster family on Himmel Street in Molching, Germany. (In German, himmel means heaven.) Liesel has very few possessions: she has lost her father to the authorities, her mother to grief, and her little brother to Death, who narrates the story. Liesel does have, however, a book called The Grave Digger’s Handbook, which she steals at the graveside after her brother’s burial. Liesel is unable to read, but during the years she lives on Himmel Street, she steals more books, and her beloved foster father Hans uses the stolen books to teach her how to read. Along the way, Liesel learns lessons about love, death, grief, courage, and ultimately, survival. Central Questions As you read The Book Thief, let the following questions guide your thinking: The first book that Liesel steals is The Grave Digger’s Handbook. Why does she take the book? Why does she continue to steal books? What is significant about the titles of the books Liesel steals? Death says that Liesel is a girl “with a mountain to climb.” What does he mean? Is he correct? Also discuss whether or not Liesel is alone in her climb, or has the help of others. Please respond to each central question in one-to-three well-thought-out paragraphs in your notebook. You may find it helpful to highlight or take notes (in the margins of your book, with sticky notes, or in a notebook) of significant passages, important quotations, or any ideas you find unclear. Essay Assignment Among other things, The Book Thief is a meditation on words, language, and the way they are used. This includes both the words one speaks as well as the words one keeps inside. Death, especially, has a way with words. Unlike the other characters in the novel, he recognizes words not only for the good they can do, but for the evil they do as well. Think for a few moments about the power that words – either spoken or not – have on us and on those around us. Then write an essay in which you describe some of the effects of words to help, as well as to harm. Support your ideas with specific examples from the novel and your own reading, experience, or insight. Your essay should be brief (about 2-3 pages in length), and should be typed, double-spaced, in 12-pt Arial (or similar) font. Bring your essay and your copy of the novel to our first class. Be prepared for a discussion. .

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The Book Thief Markus Zusak (2006)
Page 1 of 4 Georgetown Township Public Library Book Discussion Guide The Book Thief Markus Zusak (2006) About This Book Liesel Meminger is only nine years old when she is taken to live with the Hubermanns, a foster family, on Himmel Street in Molching, Germany, in the late 1930s. She arrives with few possessions, but among them is The Grave Digger’s Handbook, a book that she stole from her brother’s burial place. During the years that Liesel lives with the Hubermanns, Hitler becomes more powerful, life on Himmel Street becomes more fearful, and Liesel becomes a fullfledged book thief. She rescues books from Nazi book- burnings and steals from the library of the mayor. Liesel is illiterate when she steals her first book, but Hans Hubermann uses her prized books to teach her to read. This is a story of courage, friendship, love, survival, death, and grief. This is Liesel’s life on Himmel Street, told from Death’s point of view. From: http://readinggroupguides.com About the Author Markus Zusak has asserted himself as one of today’s most innovative and poetic novelists. With the publication of The Book Thief, he is now being dubbed a “literary phenomenon” by Australian and U.S. critics. Zusak is the award-winning author of four previous books: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, Getting the Girl, and I Am the Messenger, recipient of a Michael L. Printz Honor. He lives in Sydney, Australia. For more information on the author, visit www.markuszusak.com From: http://readinggroupguides.com ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Georgetown Township Public Library | 1525 Baldwin Street | Jenison MI 49428 | 616.457.9620 | www.gtpl.org Page 2 of 4 Discussion Questions 1.
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Literature Selection Review -The Book Thief
Southwest Licking School District Literature Selection Review Teacher: Lindy Whitson School: Watkins Memorial High School Book Title: The Book Thief Genre: Historical Fiction Author: Markus Zusak Pages: 552 Publisher: Alfred A Knopf (Random House) Copyright: 2005 In a brief rationale, please provide the following information relative to the book you would like added to the school’s book collection for classroom use. You may attach additional pages as needed . Book Summary and summary citation: (suggested resources include book flap summaries, review summaries from publisher, book vendors, etc.) The Book Thief is narrated by Death, who tells us the story of Liesel Meminger. It's January 1939, and Liesel, who is about ten-years-old, is traveling by train with her mother and her little brother Werner. Liesel and Werner are being taken to the small town of Molching, just outside of Munich, Germany, to live with foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Werner dies on the train of mysterious causes having to do with poverty, hunger, cold, and lack of medical treatment. Before Liesel arrives in Molching, she attends her brother's burial in a snowy graveyard. She steals The Grave Digger's Handbook from the cemetery after it falls from a young grave digger's coat. The kicker is, Liesel can't read. Liesel is reluctant to enter the Hubermann house on Himmel Street, but is coaxed by her foster father, Hans, to whom she takes an immediate liking. She's not sure about Rosa, though. Liesel begins school, but suffers because she doesn't know how to read yet.
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An Analyisis of Figurative Language Used in Markus Zusak’S Novel the Book Thief
AN ANALYISIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE USED IN MARKUS ZUSAK’S NOVEL THE BOOK THIEF A THESIS BY ILMA WAHYUNI REG. NO. 130705038 DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA MEDAN 2017 UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA AUTHOR’S DECLARATION I, ILMA WAHYUNI, DECLARE THAT I AM THE SOLE AUTHOR OF THIS THESIS EXCEPT WHERE REFERENCE IS MADE IN THE TEXT OF THIS THESIS. THIS THESIS CONTAINS NO MATERIAL PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE OR EXTRACTED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM A THESIS BY WHICH I HAVE QUALIFIED FOR OR AWARDED ANOTHER DEGREE. NO OTHER PERSON’S WORK HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IN THE MAIN TEXT OF THIS THESIS. THIS THESIS HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF ANOTHER DEGREE IN ANY TERTIARY EDUCATION. Signed : Date : December 18th, 2018 UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA COPYRIGHT DECLARATION NAME : ILMA WAHYUNI TITLE OF THESIS : AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE USED IN MARKUS ZUSAK’S NOVEL THE BOOK THIEF QUALIFICATION : S-1/ SARJANA SASTRA DEPARTMENT : ENGLISH I AM WILLING THAT MY THESIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR REPRODUCTION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LIBRARIAN OF DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT USERS ARE MADE AWARE OF THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA. Signed : Date : December 18th, 2017 UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. My first sincere gratitude is addresses to the mightiest Allah SWT, and also to the prophet Muhammad SAW for the gracious mercy and tremendeous blessings that enable me in completing this thesis as one of the requirements to achievethe Bachelor’s Degree from Department of English at Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Sumetera Utara.
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The Book Thief Markus Zusak Random House Historical Fiction 552 Pages © 2005 the Book Thief: a Picturesque, Vibrant Holocaust Story
The Book Thief Markus Zusak Random House Historical Fiction 552 pages © 2005 The Book Thief: A Picturesque, Vibrant Holocaust Story By Evan W. Can the power of words captivate the attention of a young girl, even during one of the most grotesque historical events? The Book Thief tells of the internal development of Liesel Meminger, and how she discovers the calming power of literature after losing everyone close to her. By personifying death as the omniscient narrator, Markus Zusak makes use of vivid imagery to bring the emotions of Liesel to life, while also conveying a message of Holocaust horrors. This contradiction makes The Book Thief all that more fascinating: creating a powerful text rather than a typical childhood Bildungsroman. Despite the occasional ambiguity of certain sections, the imagery and vibrant emotions give this novel enough of a spark to make it an enticing read. Liesel, the protagonist fighting through life-changing events, gradually discovers the power of words to alleviate her stresses. Soon after moving in with her foster family, she is forced to take on multiple responsibilities, including making new friends while keeping an enormous secret from them. To hide a Jew in one’s house was the most courageous thing one could do in Nazi Germany, and Liesel soon discovers this when Max Vandenburg, the son of Papa’s old friend, comes to live with them. From this moment on, Liesel enters a new lifestyle, one filled with paranoia every second of every day. Throughout this time, Liesel is also attending school, collecting books, and stealing food to survive, all of which make this novel chaotic as well as intriguing throughout.
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Comparative Analysis of the Translation of Markus Zusak's The
DEPARTAMENT DE FILOLOGIA ANGLESA I DE GERMANÍSTICA Comparative Analysis of the Translation of Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief Treball de Fi de Grau Author: Nerea Romero Devesa Supervisor: Ana Fernández Montraveta Grau d’Estudis d’Anglès i Català June 2020 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to thank my supervisor Ana Fernández for guiding me through this when I was most lost. I also want to give a special thanks to my mother, who put up with all my breakdowns during lockdown. Table of Contents Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………... 1 1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………….. 2 2. Theoretical background ………………………………………………………….. 3 2.1. War Literature ……………………………………...................................... 3 2.1.1. Contextualization: The Nazi Rule ………………………………… 3 2.1.2. The Functions of War Literature ………………………………….. 4 2.1.3. Holocaust Perpetrator Literature …………………………………… 5 2.1.4. Markus Zusak and The Book Thief ………………………………… 6 2.1.5. Markus Zusak’s Writing Style …………………………………….. 8 2.2. Translation ………………………………………………………………… 9 2.2.1. The Translation Process ……………………………………………. 9 2.2.2. Methods and Procedures …………………………………………… 10 2.2.2.1. Methods …………………………………………………… 11 2.2.2.2. Procedures ………………………………………………… 11 3. Analysis ……………………………………………………………………….. 13 4. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………… 17 References …………………………………………………………………………. 18 Appendix ………………………………………………………………………… 21 i Abstract Literary translation is a long-established practice that has endured several transformations since its origins. However, the issue of fidelity to the author and their work is a rather recent preoccupation, as this concern to be faithful grew during the Romanticism period. In this context, the dichotomy form vs. content settled. This matter troubled translators because they had to choose which of the two they were to be true to. This paper examines the translation of The Book Thief with the purpose of analyzing the translator’s degree of fidelity towards the author, as well as exploring how the translator overcomes the challenges of literary translation.
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Language of Power and Power of Language in the Book Thief by Markus Zusak
World Journal of Innovative Research (WJIR) ISSN: 2454-8236, Volume-7, Issue-4, October 2019 Pages 104-106 Language of Power and Power of Language in The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Dr. Kaushal Kishore Sharma Throughout the novel the influence of language and power of Abstract—“Even death has a heart”. The quote said by the words is prevalent. From the negative impact of the natator and personified Death in the novel The Book Thiefby anti-Semitic propaganda present in Nazi Germany to the Markus Zusak is of utmost significance not only for the terse, rhetorical andstartling appeal but also for metaphoric reassuring effect of Liesel's reading in the bomb shelter, conveyancefor having even the slightest of compassion and words have both a positive and negative influence on the sympathy. Besides being the personified narrator, Death is a major characters. The presence or absence of words in the prevalent theme in the text that subtly intersects and is expressed via the impeccable power and importance of words, novel cleverly exemplifies the power, impression and utility eloquence, diction , and poetic phrasing to shape and shade the of words to galvanize, influence, threaten and spellbound opinion of the readers only to acknowledge that how the world masses. The metaphoric pattern and symphony of the novel of words can be exploitedfor purgation , power and also enhances the linguistic prowess. propaganda .Through the language only Liesel, the protagonist, besides other female characters can cope up with the brutalities of war and raise her voice offering resistances by the female Setting of the novel is Germany during World War II,and ipso world.
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The Book Thief
The Book Thief Presentation by Peter Anderson (the book, the author, the film from Wikipedia) THE BOOK The Book Thief is novel by Australian author Markus Zusak .[1] Narrated by Death , the book is set in Nazi Germany , a place and time when the narrator notes he (Death) was extremely busy. It describes a young girl's relationship with her foster parents, the other residents of their neighbourhood, and a young Jewish man who hides in her home during the escalation of World War II . First published in 2005, the book has won numerous awards and was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list for over 230 weeks. [2] Liesel Meminger is a nine-year-old girl living in Nazi Germany in 1939. Her mother is taken away and forced to give up her two children, Liesel and her brother, Werner Meminger. As they are on the train to Molching, Liesel's brother dies, and the narrator, Death, sees her for the first time. They dig Werner's grave by the train track. At Werner's funeral, Liesel steals a book called The Grave Digger's Handbook dropped by a young grave digger's apprentice. Liesel is fascinated by the book, even though she can't read or write. She brings it to her new home. Liesel arrives at her foster house in a distraught state. She forms a bond with her new foster parents, Hans, and Rosa Hubermann. Hans is a painter and accordion player, and Rosa does washing for a few local customers. Hans teaches Liesel to read and write.
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The Book Thief
The book thief By Marcus Zusak First published in 2006 Genre & subjects Historical Fiction War Fiction Synopsis When nine-year-old Liesel arrives outside the box-like house of her new foster parents, she refuses to get out of the car. Liesel has been separated from her parents - 'Kommunists' - for ever. In the care of the Hubermans, Liesel befriends Rudy Steiner and together they steal books - from Nazi book burning piles, from the mayor's library and from the rich people. In time, the family hide a Jewish boxer, Max, who reads with Liesel in the basement. By 1943, the Allied bombs are falling, and the sirens begin to wail. Liesel shares out her books in the air raid shelters. But one day the wail of the sirens comes too late. Author biography Markus Zusak is an Australian author born in 1975. He is best known for his books The Book Thief and The Messenger (also published as I Am the Messenger in the United States), both being international bestsellers. Marcus lives in Sydney with his wife and children. He writes, occasionally works a real job, and plays on a soccer team. Discussion starters • Discuss the symbolism of Death as the omniscient narrator of the novel. What are Death’s feelings for each victim? Describe Death’s attempt to resist Liesel. Death states, “I’m always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both.” (p. 491) What is ugly and beautiful about Liesel, Rosa and Hans Hubermann, Max Vandenburg, Rudy Steiner, and Mrs.
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B8 Book Burning.Indd
8 Book burning, now and then d Prejudice 115 8 Book burning, now and then 1. What do you know about book burning? Have you ever read a book or an article about that? Have you ever seen people burning books? Why do people burn books? Give some possible reasons/ occasions. 2. Watch an extract from the film "The Book Thief" on YouTube (the book burning scene) and talk about the feelings aroused. 116 3. In pairs, do the following task: one of you reads the following text about the film and the other one reads the text about the book. When you are ready, complete the tables pair work together, combining information from the texts you have read. Partners report to class. Steiner, a boy who lives next door, accompanies The Book Thief (2013) her on her first day of school. When the teacher asks Liesel to write her name on the chalkboard, she is only able to write three Xs, revealing to her classmates that she is unable to write. She is taunted by her schoolmates who The Book Thief is a 2013 World War II drama chant "dummkopf" ("dunce") at her. One of the film directed by Brian Percival, starring Geoffrey boys, Franz Deutscher, challenges her to read Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse. The film just one word to which Liesel responds by is based on the 2005 novel The Book Thief by beating him up. She impresses Rudy, and they Markus Zusak and adapted by Michael Petroni. become fast friends. When Hans, her foster The film is about a young girl living with her father, realizes that Liesel cannot read, he begins adoptive German family during the Nazi era.
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The Book Thief
DISCUSSION GUIDE | FEBRUARY, 2016 The Book Thief Feature film directed by Brian Percival (2013; 131 minutes) by Alicia LeBlanc Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3 Session 1: Symbols .............................................................................................. 4 Session 2: Storytelling .......................................................................................... 7 Session 3: Justice in the World ............................................................................. 9 Leader Resources ............................................................................................... 12 Leader Resource 1, Game Questions, "Easy" Leader Resource 2, Game Questions, Harder Leader Resource 3, Game Questions, Difficult Leader Resource 4, Game Answers Unitarian Universalist Association / Faith Development Office 2 Introduction The Book Thief (2013, 131 minutes), directed by Brian Percival, is based on the novel of the same name by Markus Zusak. The Book Thief takes place during World War II in Germany and tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a German girl, who faces the reality of war after her family harbors a Jewish person named Max Vandenburg. While World War II is an important historical topic, the focus of this discussion guide is on connections between symbols, words, and justice and how these topics influence one’s life. This discussion guide focuses on the film and is appropriate for a high school discussion
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PR FINAL Bridge of Clay
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #1 NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE BOOK THIEF, MARKUS ZUSAK, TO PUBLISH HIS EAGERLY AWAITED NEXT NOVEL, BRIDGE OF CLAY, THIS FALL Bridge of Clay to release on October 9, 2018, with a first printing of 500,000 copies New York, NY (March 13, 2018)—BRIDGE OF CLAY, the highly anticipated novel by internationally bestselling and award-winning author Markus Zusak, will be published this fall, it was announced globally today. On sale October 9, 2018, the book will release with a first printing of 500,000 copies in the U.S., and be published by Alfred A. Knopf, home of Zusak’s The Book Thief. It will publish simultaneously in Zusak’s native Australia, and in the U.K. two days later. BRIDGE OF CLAY will be edited in the U.S. by Zusak’s longtime editor, Erin Clarke. Catherine Drayton of Inkwell Management represents Zusak. From the author whose beloved novel The Book Thief has spent over 500 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list comes BRIDGE OF CLAY, a sweeping family saga chronicling the lives of five brothers who bring each other up in a world run on their own rules. As the Dunbar boys love and fight and learn to reckon with the adult world, they discover the moving secret behind their father’s disappearance. At the center of the Dunbar family is Clay, a boy who will build a bridge—for his family, for his past, for greatness, for his sins, for a miracle. A major marketing and publicity campaign will support this landmark publication, featuring a 12-city U.S.
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8 Honors Required Summer Reading the Book Thief Markus Zusak
8 Honors Required Summer Reading The Book Thief Markus Zusak SYNOPSIS: Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist-books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. As you read this novel, think about: ● Narrator and point of view ● Courage and identity ● The title of the book and its significance ● Symbolism and allusions ASSIGNMENT: After reading The Book Thief, choose one of the following writing prompts in which to write an essay: ● Option 1: Define hero in your own words. Examine who the “hero” is in the book and why. Provide evidence from The Book Thief to support your analysis. ● Option 2: Adolf Hitler’s book “Mein Kampf” is a very important prop in the plot of this novel. Explain the message Hitler was trying to send to the German people with his book. Then, provide evidence from The Book Thief in which the characters use “Mein Kampf” as a tool to aid in the fight against Hitler. ● Option 3: Liesel’s journey into adulthood can be traced through the books she reads. Choose at least three titles Liesel reads throughout the course of the novel and explain what Liesel learned from each of these texts.
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