The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
I want you to begin a literary journal. You may start it in this Word document. You will have some
freedom with your journal, but there are some elements that I definitely want you to include. You
should…

Characters and Character Analysis: Keep a list of key characters in the novel. (You should
analyze, at least, five characters.) By the end of the book, you should have a detailed
description of each character. In your character description, you should play the amateur
psychologist! Analyze the characters’ personalities, virtues, vices, goals, etc. ALSO, in the
character descriptions, discuss the relationships that are important to them and describe
these relationships.

Characterization: Write one paragraph about the author’s technique for creating
characterization, i.e. how does he make the characters come alive for the reader? Give details
and be specific.

Imagery: This novel is full of imagery – descriptive details that appeal to the readers’ senses
of smell, sight, touch, hearing, etc. Keep an “Imagery” section in your journal, and as you read,
list particular passages full of imagery that especially appeal to you. By the end of the book,
you should have listed, at least, five passages that are good examples of imagery.

Personification: Zusak also uses figurative language in an impressive way – especially
personification. Remember that personification is the technique of giving abstract ideas, or
inanimate objects human-like characteristics. The most obvious is through the personification
of Death, the narrator of this story. List five examples of personification from the novel.

Author’s Style: Zusak has a unique writing style. Write one paragraph describing the style he
uses to tell this story. Use specific examples from the novel to support what you say.

Universal Theme: A universal theme is a message about the human experience that can be
applied to anyone, at any place, at any time. For example, in the play, The Diary of Anne
Frank, two of the universal themes are “Humans have an instinct to survive against all odds;”
and “In spite of everything, people are really good at heart.” One could draw a few themes
from The Book Thief, too. List two universal themes from this novel and explain why you
believe these are themes in the novel. Refer to specific quotes, passages, character’s words
and/or actions, to support the themes that you choose.

General Book Review: At the end of your journal, write a thorough book review. In your
review, share your personal reaction to the book, i.e. did you or did you not like it. Explain
your opinion!! Refer to details such as characterization, style, figurative language, plot, pointof-view etc. to support your opinion.

Other: I would love to see some of your own personality in the journal, as well. Part of the
journal assessment WILL include something that you personally included. For example, type
reactions you may have at different points of the novel. What kind of emotions do various
events evoke? If you enjoy drawing, draw pictures that parts of the novel bring to your mind.
You may then attach them to the written part of your journal after you print it. Perhaps you
write poetry and something in the novel will also inspire a poem. You may also keep a
personal vocabulary list of words that appeal to you and/or that you want to remember/learn.