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The Book Thief  By  cover art

The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak
Narrated by: Allan Corduner
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Publisher's summary

Don’t miss Bridge of Clay, Markus Zusak’s first novel since The Book Thief.

The extraordinary number-one New York Times best seller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul. Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

When Death has a story to tell, you listen. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who 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.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

“The kind of book that can be life-changing.” (The New York Times)

“Deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.” (USA Today)

©2006 Markus Zusak (P)2006 Random House Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award, Children's Literature, 2007

"The astonishing characters, drawn without sentimentality, will grab readers." (Booklist)
"Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of sophisticated teen and adult readers....An extraordinary narrative." (School Library Journal)
"The Book Thief will appeal both to sophisticated teens and adults with its engaging characters and heartbreaking story." (Bookmarks Magazine)

Featured Article: 25+ Quotes About the Power of Kindness


Kindness is the quality of being considerate, compassionate, generous, gentle, and caring towards others without expecting anything in return. Often described as a virtue, kindness is also a strength—in fact, it may be one of humanity's greatest superpowers. Whenever you need a little encouragement or gentle reminder, turn to these quotes from authors who understand the power of kindness and express it quite remarkably.

What listeners say about The Book Thief

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the book thief

it was very good and you should read it. thanks for reading this. good bye.

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Wow!

Quite possibly the best book I've ever heard. Very well written with a unique twist.

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The book theif is a books that is life changing

I loved this book so much, I had this as an assignment and I never thought that I would have enjoyed this book so much! This book has definitely been one of my favorite books and I will have to say that this book was life changing! I'm so glad I had the opportunity of reading this book.

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    4 out of 5 stars

It was good and sad

It was good, it catches the reader and draws them into the book... but then it makes you sad.

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Excellent

Inspiring and touching book, good performance by narrater. I was touched by this story. Excellent!

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Loved It!

This novel is a beautiful blend of Holocaust history and a young German girl’s hopeful life.

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Devastatingly Beautiful

A beautiful nightmare ... Not for the faint of heart. For the seeker of sadness mixed with reality.

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Moving, unique delivery

A touching slice of a painful part of history. it is one of millions of stories I wish is never again repeated

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Fantastic gripping story , powerfully narrated

This is one of the best audiobooks I’ve heard. The narrator is highly skilled at varying accents and tones to embody the characters. The story is unbelievably gripping and powerful.

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Beautiful and Powerful story

I was captured immediately by this incredible story of the good and evil in human beings. It was inspiring, heartbreaking and heartwarming.

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