Prologue: A Mountain Range of Rubble: The Book Thief - Study Guide Questions
Prologue: A Mountain Range of Rubble: The Book Thief - Study Guide Questions
“The Eclipse”
1. In addition to describing the pilot’s death, what does Death describe for the reader?
2. What does an eclipse frequently symbolize for Death?
“The Flag”
1. Infer what has happened just prior to his arrival based on the description of the setting.
2. How does Death feel about Liesel? Why does Death not comfort her? What does this imply about Death’s
ultimate power?
3. Why does Death take the item from the garbage truck?
4. Identify the three colors associated with the book thief. What clue to the novel’s historical context does the
reader first get from “the colors?”
“Growing up Saumensch”
1. How many books made up the story of Liesel’s life?
2. How does Death’s admitted preoccupation with colors show itself in the chapter?
3. What single fact does Liesel know about her father?
4. Summarize the key facts you learn about Hans and Rosa (not just those that Death indicates in the lists).
5. What is Liesel supposed to call the Hubermanns’ after a few months? Why do you think Rosa tells Liesel to
do this?
6. With which parent does Liesel seem to bond more easily?
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“The Woman with the Iron Fist”
1. What makes Liesel’s adjustment to life with the Hubermanns’ particularly difficult? How does Papa help
her?
2. Why is The Gravedigger’s Handbook so important to Liesel?
3. What makes school particularly difficult for Liesel?
4. After Liesel’s tenth birthday, in which group is she enrolled?
5. Describe Rosa’s feelings and behavior with regard to her laundry clients. Why does Rosa tell Liesel she has
to do other people’s laundry?
6. Briefly identify Frau Holtzapfel. What is Frau Holtzapfel known for at the Hubermanns’ home?
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Part Two: A Shoulder Shrug
“Dead Letters”
1. Briefly explain why the title of this section is appropriate.
2. Explain why Liesel receives a severe beating from Mama. What is Mama’s response when she understands
and what does Liesel come to understand that is more painful than Mama’s beatings?
3. While Papa’s accordion causes her to get up from the floor, why does she say that “Papa’s music was the
color of darkness”? How are colours being used here again?
“Hitler’s Birthday”
1. How are the Nazi Party members preparing to celebrate Hitler’s birthday?
2. What do the Hubermanns search for frantically to display? Why couldn’t they find it and what can you
infer about them from this incident?
3. Summarize the unrest between Hans and Hans Junior. What does Death foreshadow for Hans Junior?
“Book of Fire”
1. How does Liesel personify the three books in the fire? Why is this significant?
2. Why was the book described as “eating her up”? (122)
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“Part Three: Mein Kampf
“Tricksters”
1. Briefly identify Otto Sturm and how Liesel and Rudy use him.
2. What does Liesel and Rudy’s loyalty to Arthur Berg cause them to do? How is it connected to their
experience with the apples?
3. What inference can be made about Arthur Berg in regards to the “small tribute” that Death offers?
4. How is the tone in the final passage of the chapter contradicted by the example of foreshadowing in the last
line of the chapter?
“Liesel’s Lecture”
1. Analyze the important point Death makes in the beginning of this chapter.
2. How are Rosa’s conversation and reactions different on this day?
3. Of what promise does Hans remind Liesel, and if she breaks the promise what will happen?
4. How does Rosa uncharacteristically greet Liesel after her talk with Hans?
“The Sleeper”
1. What does Max say in his sleep? How do these people contribute to his nightmares?
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7. What form does Liesel’s subconscious take when she is verbally attacking the Mayor’s wife? How does she
feel after?
8. Why does the chapter end with Liesel on the “seventh side of Germany’s die”(266)?
“Rudy’s Youth”
1. What is Rudy’s biggest problem?
“The Losers”
1. Briefly identify Viktor Chemmel. Compare him to Arthur Berg as a leader. What parallels might you draw
between their leadership style and leaders from this historical time period?
2. On what terms do Viktor and Rudy separate?
“Sketches”
1. Max intends to write Liesel an autobiography but what changes?
2. What happens when Liesel sneaks a peek of Max’s sketches?
“The Snowman”
1. Explain the importance of what Liesel brings Max on Christmas Eve.
2. Explain the situation in February about Max. Who takes charge? Why does Liesel feel guilty?
3. Explain the paradox in the final line of the chapter.
“Thirteen Present”
1. Why is it significant that Death visits Max?
2. How does Liesel spend her time with Max? List the gifts that Liesel brings Max and comment on her
selections.
3. How does Mama help Liesel with her grief?
“Fresh Air, and Old Nightmare, and What to Do with a Jewish Corpse”
1. What desire does Liesel express to Rudy? What is the outcome of the venture? What does Death suggest
about the open window?
2. What problem would they face if Max died? How does Liesel put an end to that conversation?
3. Interpret the dream Liesel has of Max replacing her brother?
4. What fear does Max admit to Liesel? How does Liesel ease his fear?
5. As Max recovers, Liesel’s world is returning to normal; how is that contrasting with the outside world?
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“Death’s Diary: Cologne”
1. What event is described in this chapter?
2. Contrast the collections at the end of the chapter.
“The Visitor”
1. Who is the “visitor,” and what implications could this have for the family?
2. How does Liesel get home to warn her family?
3. Explain the outcome of the episode. In what condition do the Hubermanns find Max?
“The Schmunzeler”
1. Who is the second visitor?
2. What does ‘schmunzel’ mean? How is it fitting for Rudy?
3. How does Liesel classify her condition after the day’s events?
“The Trilogy”
1. How does Rudy spend his time while Liesel is working with Hans? What is his goal?
2. How does Rudy respond when Liesel asks why he would intentionally disqualify himself from the race?
Why do you think he did it?
3. What does Rudy do with his medals?
4. What does Liesel do after she finishes the Dream Carrier?
5. Why does Rudy take Liesel to the mayor’s house? Explain why Liesel stops and looks back at the mayor’s
house.
6. How does Liesel respond to the letter from Ilsa? Why does she believe she doesn’t deserve to be happy?
“Peace”
1. How does Max react to the events on the day? What is scheduled for four days later?
2. Explain the meaning of the note Hans finds at the river.
3. Why do you think that Death does not equate the word silence with the words peace, quiet, or calm
following this event?
“Punishment”
1. Why might Hans be grateful for punishment by the Nazi Party?
2. Why does the paper make Hans suspicious?
3. What does it mean when it says that “Rosa had a small rp beneath her right eye, and within the minute, her
cardboard face was broken”(419)? How does this contribute to our understanding of her character?
“The Collector”
1. Where are Hans & Steiner stationed? What are their duties?
2. Who are the LSE? Why have they been selected for this section?
3. Why does Death explain that Hans would “need to perfect the art of forgetting.”?
4. Describe the two types of things that Hans is required to prop up. Is he successful?
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“The Bread Eaters”
1. Who are the “three desperate men” that consume Liesel’s thoughts? What has become Liesel’s favorite
distraction?
2. What does Rudy plan to do with the sack full of bread that he shows Liesel? What argument does he use to
convince Liesel to help him?
3. How does the incident strengthen or alter the reader’s characterization of Rudy? Explain.
“The Cardplayer”
1. Why is Reinhold Zucker angry with Hans?
2. Explain the last line of the chapter. What is the literary element?
“The Accident”
1. What order does Zucker give to Hans? How does Hans respond?
2. Discuss the results of the accident. What does Hans claim after he is safe? What past incident is this
parallel to?
3. Why does Schipper choose to send Hans to Munich rather than back to the LSE?
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“One Toolbox, One Bleeder, One Bear”
1. Explain Rudy’s behavior since his father left and Hans has returned.
2. What commentary does Rudy offer about Liesel’s thieving? What does Rudy end up stealing?
3. Why does Michael Holtzapfel come to the Hubermanns? What is the result?
4. Identify Michael Holtzapfel internal conflict in the shelter.
5. What causes Rudy and Liesel to run to the Amper River? Explain the importance of the event for Death and
Liesel.
6. What does Rudy give to the pilot? Why is the bear the only thing that is in the toolbox both times?
7. Analyze the final paragraph in this chapter.
“Homecoming”
1. How many years have passed from Liesel’s arrival at the Hubermanns home and Han’s return?
2. What is Death’s implication in the last two lines of the chapter? How do Death’s words affect the tone?
“Confessions”
1. What is symbolic about Hans’ desecration of the accordion?
2. In what ways does Liesel demonstrate her supreme trust in Rudy?
3. Clarify the irony in what Liesel wants from Rudy.
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“The End of the World (Part II)
1. Why is Death telling the story of the Book thief?
2. Why does Death provide a detailed description of collecting the souls on Himmel Street?
3. Describe Death’s and Liesel’s final descriptions of Hans and Rosa. How are they similar? Even though
Hans and Rosa seemed quite different in life, how were they really very much the same?
4. Describe the scene when Liesel sees Rudy’s body.
5. What vision, which Liesel reveals later to Death, does she have of Papa as she kneels next to his body?
Identify the two items she leaves at his body and what happens to them.
“Max”
1. When does Liesel see Max again?
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