In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, the author illustrated in detail a young German girl, Liesel Meminger, who became great friends with a boy, Max, during World War II. However Max is a Jew and during the Second World War Jews were greatly discriminated especially by Germans. As Markus Zusak illustrates the story of how Liesel must choose between a friend or a culture, he brilliantly features themes of desperation, unity, power of words, and hope.
Firstly, the fascinating theme of desperation is shown in the text in several interesting ways. It is shown when Max is forced to leave his family behind on his journey to find Hans Hubermann. Secondly, the theme of desperation is shown through Liesel when Max is sick.