#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME • A NEW YORK TIMES READER TOP 100 PICK FOR BEST BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY The extraordinary, beloved novel about the ability of books to feed the soul even in the darkest of times. 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 DON’T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK’S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF.
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About the author
Markus Zusak
Author
Markus Zusak is an Australian-German writer. He is best known for The Book Thief and The Messenger, two novels that became international bestsellers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award in 2014.
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Books Like The Book Thief
If you're looking for books similar to The Book Thief, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank
A real-life account of a young Jewish girl hiding from Nazis during World War II. Anne's diary provides an intimate, personal perspective on life during the Holocaust. Similar to The Book Thief, it reveals individual human experiences within a larger historical context. The narrative demonstrates remarkable hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Night
Elie Wiesel
A memoir of Wiesel's experiences in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. This powerful autobiographical account reveals the human capacity for both incredible cruelty and remarkable resilience. Like The Book Thief, it provides a deeply personal perspective on the Holocaust. The book explores themes of survival, loss, and the enduring human spirit.
The Hiding Place
Corrie ten Boom
A true story of a Dutch family who helped Jews escape during the Nazi occupation. The narrative focuses on faith, resistance, and forgiveness. Similar to The Book Thief, it reveals individual courage during historical darkness. The book demonstrates the power of compassion in the face of extreme oppression.
All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr
Set during World War II, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths ultimately converge. Like The Book Thief, it explores human resilience and compassion during the brutal Nazi era. The story beautifully captures individual experiences against the backdrop of historical tragedy. It offers a poignant narrative about survival, hope, and the power of human connection in dark times.
Code Name Verity
Elizabeth Wein
A gripping historical fiction novel about two young women in World War II Britain. The story follows a female spy and her pilot friend during dangerous wartime missions. Similar to The Book Thief, it features strong female characters and explores friendship during extreme circumstances. The narrative combines historical detail with emotional depth and personal courage.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
John Boyne
A novel about an unlikely friendship between the son of a Nazi commandant and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. The story offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust through innocent eyes. Similar to The Book Thief, it explores human connections across political divides. The narrative is both heartbreaking and profoundly moving.
Number the Stars
Lois Lowry
A powerful young adult novel about Danish resistance during the Holocaust. The story follows a young girl who helps her Jewish friend escape Nazi persecution. Similar to The Book Thief, it portrays courage and humanity in the face of extreme oppression. The narrative focuses on individual acts of bravery and moral resistance during World War II.
Salt to the Sea
Ruta Sepetys
A historical novel about refugees fleeing Soviet advance during World War II. The story follows four young people's desperate journey across the Baltic Sea. Like The Book Thief, it offers a deeply human perspective on historical tragedy. The narrative explores themes of survival, hope, and individual courage during wartime.
I Am the Messenger
Markus Zusak
Another novel by the author of The Book Thief, exploring themes of individual impact and personal transformation. The story follows an ordinary young man who becomes an unexpected hero. Like The Book Thief, it emphasizes the power of small acts of kindness. The narrative combines humor, heart, and meaningful social commentary.
The Devil's Arithmetic
Jane Yolen
A young adult novel about a girl who is transported back in time to experience the Holocaust. The story provides a powerful exploration of historical memory and understanding. Similar to The Book Thief, it offers a personal perspective on historical tragedy. The narrative combines historical detail with emotional depth.
Between Shades of Gray
Ruta Sepetys
A powerful novel about a Lithuanian family deported to Siberian work camps during World War II. The story follows a young girl's struggle for survival and hope in extreme conditions. Like The Book Thief, it offers a unique perspective on human resilience during historical tragedy. The narrative emphasizes the power of family, art, and personal strength.
Prisoner B-3087
Alan Gratz
A young adult novel based on a true story of Holocaust survival. The book follows a Jewish boy's incredible journey through multiple concentration camps. Like The Book Thief, it emphasizes individual resilience and hope. The narrative provides a powerful account of survival against overwhelming odds.
Milkweed
Jerry Spinelli
A young adult novel about a Jewish orphan surviving in Warsaw during the Holocaust. The story follows a young boy's experiences through a child's perspective. Like The Book Thief, it offers a unique and compassionate view of historical tragedy. The narrative emphasizes hope and humanity in dire circumstances.
The Storyteller
Jodi Picoult
A novel exploring the lasting impact of the Holocaust through interconnected stories. The narrative examines themes of guilt, forgiveness, and moral complexity. Similar to The Book Thief, it provides a nuanced exploration of human experiences during World War II. The story intertwines personal narratives with broader historical contexts.
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