The Book Thief is cleverly narrated by "Death" and is set in Germany during WWII. It tells the story of Liesel, a young girl who goes to live with a foster family following the death of her father and younger brother. Her life is changed when, at her brother's graveside, she discovers a book, "The Grave Digger's Handbook." She learns to read with the help of her foster father and soon she is stealing books wherever she can find them. She steals books from the mayor's wife and even snatches them from the fire of Nazi book-burnings. Liesel has come to learn that knowledge is power. But life in WWII Germany is dangerous and Liesel finds out just how cruel humanity can be when her foster family hides a Jew in their basement. In a story that is both powerful and moving we follow the spunky Liesel as she suffers heartache, forms friendships, and comes to understand that words can be used for both good and evil. This is a book you will savor until the last word.