JAMM Summer Reading Assignments for incoming 8th grade students for the book: The Book Thief ​
by Markus Zusak Pre­writing ● Before you start reading the book, complete a ten minute quick write about any knowledge you have on World War II, Germany, Adolf Hitler, living conditions of the Jewish population in Germany, and the Nazi Party. Vocabulary ● ​
In the novel ​
The Book Thief ​
by Markus Zusak words play an important part of the novel, whether it is literature read by the main character or propaganda used to further a political party’s agenda. As you read the book take note of the word choice of the author. Choose 15 words that are new to you and use the context of the text to derive a meaning. Then look up the word and record the definition. Create a chart resembling the one below using Google Docs or on a piece of paper. Word (include page number) My definition (based on context) Word Definition Text­ Dependent Questions: ​
Complete the questions in a Google Doc or on a separate sheet of paper. All answers must be in complete sentences. Support your answers with evidence from the text. Prologue
1. What are your first impressions of Death, the narrator? Why?
2. Which special story has Death kept to tell us?
3. What special significance do colours have for Death? Discuss.
Part 1
1. How does Liesel lose her brother Werner?
2. What is the first book Liesel steals and what does it signify for her?
3. To whom is Liesel delivered to? Why?
4. Describe the first few weeks of Liesel’s life with her new family. What were the challenges?
5. Which special friend does Liesel bond with from the neighborhood?
6. In what ways is school frustrating for Liesel and how does she try to deal with bullying?
7. What are the repercussions of Hans (Papa) discovering Liesel’s hidden book ‘The Gravedigger’s
Handbook’?
Part 2
1. How did the Germans celebrate 20th April, 1940 – Hitler’s birthday?
2. When and how did Liesel steal her second book?
3. Describe Papa’s special Christmas presents for Liesel. How did he get them?
4. Who is Liesel writing letters to?
5. To what extent does Liesel understand about the war and Hitler? Discuss.
6. Why does the family’s little money begin to dry up?
Part 3
1. At first, why is Liesel so afraid of going to the Mayor’s house for the laundry?
2. What wonderful discovery awaits Liesel at the Mayor’s house?
3. Why did Max arrive at the Hubermann’s and how did they help him?
Part 4
1. How had Hans Hubermann survived World War I?
2. In what way does Rosa change with the arrival of Max?
3. Discuss the secret Liesel is asked to keep and its significance.
4. Why does Liesel empathise with Max?
5. Describe Max’s gift for Liesel – ‘The Standover Man’.
Part 5
1. How does Liesel keep Max going?
2. What drives Liesel and Rudy to stealing food?
3. Discuss the problems Rudy is having.
4. Explain the comments made by Death about the war and what he has been witnessing?
Part 6
1. What was the significance of the snowman in the basement?
2. Why does the Mayor’s wife, Ilsa keep her Library window open?
3. For what reason do party members investigate the basements of the houses in the street, including
Liesel’s?
Part 7
1. Why is the painting business booming for Max?
2. What was in Ilsa’s letter to Liesel? Why do you think she wrote to her, and cared about her?
3. How does Liesel keep the people hiding in the basement entertained and calm?
4. Why did Max have to leave suddenly?
5. Describe the Jews marching to Dachau.
Part 8
1. What was the importance and message of ‘The Word Shaker’- the book made by Max for Liesel?
2. How are Alex and Hans punished for their ‘rebellious’ attitudes against the Nazi Party?
Part 9
1. Why was Liesel surprised to discover the Library belonged to Ilsa and not her husband?
2. For what reason has Liesel been going to Frau Holtzapfel house? Who is there when she arrives this
time?
3. Why was Hans able to leave the war and go home early?
4. Discuss the effect the absence of his father has had on Rudy?
Part 10
1. Why does Death tell us things before they happen? How may this affect the reader?
2. Discuss the power of guilt and how it has been affecting people?
3. What does Ilsa bring to Liesel’s door?
3. Describe the bombing of Himmel Street. Why does Liesel survive?
4. How does Liesel say goodbye to everyone?
Epilogue
1. What does Death tell us became of Liesel?
2. What conclusions and contradictions does Death make about humanity?
3. Discuss the irony of Max returning alive and being reunited with Liesel.
Final Writing Assignment
Choose one of the following assignments to complete in response to completing the novel ​
The Book
Thief. ​
The assignment should be at least two pages double spaced.
Option 1:​
​
Alternate ending​
​
- Write a scene giving the story an alternate ending. What might you
change? How might the message of the story be different if certain elements of the storyline were
different. Write a short explanation of your motivations for the plot changes.
Option 2: ​
​
Diary​
- Choose one character from the novel and create a diary written in that person’s
voice about their experiences. Each diary should have at least 10 short entries and span the length of
the entire novel.
Option 3:​
​
​
Interviews​
- Imagine that a reporter has come to Himmel Street to interview one of the
characters from the novel for the newspaper. Create a list of 10 questions that the reporter might ask
them, and imagine and record the character’s answers.