The Importance Of Reading In The Book Thief

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WWII can be seen through many eyes and The Book Thief tells its story through the eyes of Death (Zusak 3). Death tells a story of a German young girl named Liesel and her experience of growing up through WWII (Zusak 5) In the book, the reader sees the importance of reading through the stages of Liesel’s childhood. To her, the books she steals are not just words on pages. They remind her of a turning point in her youth. The importance of reading in Liesel’s life can be reflected in the reader’s life.
The art of reading was first started because of curiosity. Liesel found a book in the snow as they bury her brother (Zusak 24). She takes the book as a material for the memory (Zusak 38). Later she wants to know what the scribbly lines mean and
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During a possible bomb attack the sirens are sound and Liesel and her neighbors take cover in basements (Zusak 379). As Liesel and her neighbors wait for the all clear signal, Liesel calms herself by reading quietly (Zusak 381). Liesel continues to read her book as more people start to listen to her and soon the whole basement is calmed by her words (Zusak 381-383). This not only shows the importance of reading for Liesel, but also other characters in the book also feel the effects of how powerful a book can be.
Reading has opened Liesel up to memories she wishes not to forget, feeling equal, being open minded, creating bonds with others, and a force of calming. The greatest favor reading gave her was saving her life (Zusak 527-528). As the rest of Himmel Street was asleep a silent killer wiped it out (Zusak 527). Liesel was in the basement when her street was bombed (Zusak 527). She was there writing, her new found passion came from her old friend reading (Zusak 523-524). Liesel’s enjoyment of writing was the completing phase of her passion of reading.
The author wants reading to affect us. Liesel wrote, “ I love this place and hate it, because it is full of words”(Zusak 522). Words affect us in many ways because of their power. They can build us or destroy us, either way they create us. The importance of reading in Liesel’s and the reader’s life is it can mold us and allow us to see in ways we couldn’t if we didn’t have the words on

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