Max is a 22 year old, rough looking Jewish street fighter, whilst little Liesel Merminger is a young German girl. In appearances, they are complete opposites. Yet, they share more common ground than any reader could have expected. Both of them came from a similar background due to the fact that they both lost their families due to the war. Liesel’s sorrows included her brother’s death from sickness, her father’s disappearance and the fact that her mother had relinquished custody of her in hopes that she could find a better life elsewhere. As for Max, he lost his father to the war and had no idea as to the whereabouts of his mother. Almost as though fate had commanded it, both of them were adopted into the Hubermann household. Due to their similar losses, both Liesel and Max faced personal demons that would arrive in their nightmares. “The nightmares arrived like they always did, much like the best player in the opposition when you've heard rumors that he might be injured or sick-but there he is, warming up with the rest of them, ready to take the field” (Zusak 220). Throughout the novel, Liesel remained rather distant towards Max. She didn’t trust him, because he was a strange man sharing her home. Yet when she sees him wake from a nightmare, she realized that she made the decision to talk to him about her nightmares as well. These involve her dead brother. Max shares that his nightmares the reoccur about him leaving his family. He went from being a man who could easily beat down his opponents to being powerless and running for his life. For both of them, the loss of their family members and control over their lives haunts them daily. This creates an immense sense of trust and camaraderie between the two of them. As the trust between them began to grow, so did their friendship. Additionally, Max and Liesel were able to give each other purpose. With Max hunkered down in the Hubermann’s basement all day, he has nothing to do but despair in the cold, dark basement. With Liesel’s help, his life isn’t so drab. She gives him newspapers, crossword puzzles and good conversation. On another note, to Max, Liesel
Max is a 22 year old, rough looking Jewish street fighter, whilst little Liesel Merminger is a young German girl. In appearances, they are complete opposites. Yet, they share more common ground than any reader could have expected. Both of them came from a similar background due to the fact that they both lost their families due to the war. Liesel’s sorrows included her brother’s death from sickness, her father’s disappearance and the fact that her mother had relinquished custody of her in hopes that she could find a better life elsewhere. As for Max, he lost his father to the war and had no idea as to the whereabouts of his mother. Almost as though fate had commanded it, both of them were adopted into the Hubermann household. Due to their similar losses, both Liesel and Max faced personal demons that would arrive in their nightmares. “The nightmares arrived like they always did, much like the best player in the opposition when you've heard rumors that he might be injured or sick-but there he is, warming up with the rest of them, ready to take the field” (Zusak 220). Throughout the novel, Liesel remained rather distant towards Max. She didn’t trust him, because he was a strange man sharing her home. Yet when she sees him wake from a nightmare, she realized that she made the decision to talk to him about her nightmares as well. These involve her dead brother. Max shares that his nightmares the reoccur about him leaving his family. He went from being a man who could easily beat down his opponents to being powerless and running for his life. For both of them, the loss of their family members and control over their lives haunts them daily. This creates an immense sense of trust and camaraderie between the two of them. As the trust between them began to grow, so did their friendship. Additionally, Max and Liesel were able to give each other purpose. With Max hunkered down in the Hubermann’s basement all day, he has nothing to do but despair in the cold, dark basement. With Liesel’s help, his life isn’t so drab. She gives him newspapers, crossword puzzles and good conversation. On another note, to Max, Liesel