The Book Thief

Markus Zusak

Literature Circle Packet

Knowledge & Skills

The students will be able to:

Explore topics including the Holocaust and WWII, life in Nazi Germany, empathy, the strengths and weaknesses of humanity and the varied power of words through discussion, journaling, comprehension and open-ended questions.

Analyze and interpret the author’s use of symbolism, novel structure, tone, voice, and figurative language.

Describe character development.

Identify and analyze the characteristics of an omniscient narrator.

Identify and use vocabulary.

Make text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections.

Directions for this packet:

Most of this packet is designed for you, the reader, to read and acknowledge the concepts listed on the beginning of the packet. You will need to follow the reading schedule provided and work with your group on the discussion questions each day needed within class. The vocabulary correlates with the different parts of the novel, so you will need to complete it as you go along.

The concept pages at the end of the packet are designed for you to fill in as you find evidence of their presence within the text.

Follow along and discuss/answer the discussion questions. You will need to abide by the schedule for the packet.

You will rotate positions, and fulfill the obligations of the positions each of those 3 days. The positions and explanations of each are located on page 233 of your SpringBoard textbooks. (There will not be an artist position for this novel)

Every 3 days you will need to draw and complete your own copy of the graphic organizers on pages 235, 236, 237 of your SpringBoard textbook.

Each member will be responsible of documenting a response to another member’s discussion point each day you are assigned discussion questions. (This is much like a Fishbowl) You will find a graphic organizer that demonstrates this on page 244 of your Springboard textbook.

At the end of the novel you will be responsible for completing and answering the questions on page 247 of your springboard novel.

Please Note: All members of the Literature Circle are responsible for filling out each activity required within the packet. This includes preparing responses to each discussion question. You will need to write all discussion question responses on your own paper. You will need to make sure you include the title of the section of discussion questions you are responding to.

Reading Schedule:

Week 1: Read and Complete Parts I-III You will be discussing background information for The Holocaust in class this week.

You will be personally responsible for completing this section of your packet on your own. Each discussion question should be treated as a Dialectical Journal Entry. You will need to provide a 2 paragraph (8-12 sentences) response to each. The vocabulary will be your responsibility as well.

Week 2: Read and Complete Parts IV – VII

Week 3: Read and Complete Parts VIII – X

Summary

Liesel Meminger is a young German girl whose father, an alleged Communist, is taken intocustody by the Nazis. Her mother is ill and cannot afford to take care of the children, so Lieseland her brother are forced to live with foster parents in Molching. On the way to their newhome, Liesel watches her sick brother die on the train, and it is after his burial that Liesel stealsher first book, The Grave Digger’s Handbook. Despite the tragic circumstances that bring her toMolching, Liesel makes a new life with Hans and Rosa Hubermann, both of whom she ultimately grows to love. Coping with feelings of abandonment, Liesel faces nights of bedwetting and nightmares about her brother. Hans spends these nights teaching Liesel how to read using The Grave Digger’s Handbook. Liesel soon meets Rudy, a lively boy and her frequent “partner in crime.” Not long after Liesel’s arrival at the Hubermanns’, a young Jewish man named Max arrives at the house seeking a place to hide from the Nazis. The Hubermanns courageously take Max in, and he develops a close friendship with the family, particularly Liesel. Motivated by her new ability to read, anger at Hitler and his use of words to gain power in Germany, and her own feelings of abandonment, Liesel commits a series of book thefts. She uses these books to forge friendships, calm her neighbors during air raids, and as a means to understand the despair she witnesses all around her. The novel’s narrative voice is Death, who is hard at work in World War II Germany. As Death goes about his business, he marvels at the mysterious ability of humans to display so much good and yet so much evil.

About the Author

Marcus Zusak was born in 1975 in Sydney, Australia. His father was a house painter from Austria, and his mother was from a small town near Munich, Germany. His mother frequently shared stories of the war with her children. Zusak was especially affected by two of these stories: (1) the Munich bombing and how the skies turned red, and (2) a young German boy and an emaciated Jewish man who were whipped after the boy gave the man some bread. Both memories are incorporated into The Book Thief. The Book Thief, Zusak’s fourth book for young adult readers, was a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. Zusak’s other books include I Am the Messenger, also a Michael L. Printz Honor Book, The Underdog, and Fighting Ruben Wolfe. Zusak lives with his wife and daughter in Sydney, Australia. In addition to writing, Zusak enjoys playing soccer and surfing.

Characters Death: the story’s narrator Liesel Meminger: “the book thief”; a ten-year-old girl sent to Molching to live with

foster parents Werner Meminger: Liesel’s younger brother who was ill and died on the train to

Molching Rosa Hubermann: Liesel’s foster mother; seemingly a very hard woman with a

harsh tongue; shows a much softer side as the story progresses. Hans Hubermann: Liesel’s foster father; unfailingly kind and gentle toward all;

plays the accordion. Ilsa Hermann: the mayor’s wife; originally one of Rosa’s washing customers until

she fires Rosa; owns a beautiful library that becomes central to Liesel’s book thievery Frau Holtzapfel: a Himmel Street neighbor who spits on Rosa’s door every time she

passes by; never married but has two grown sons fighting in the war Rudy Steiner: a lively boy with “lemon-colored hair” who lives next door to Liesel;

one of six children; obsessed with the American runner, Jesse Owens; Liesel loves him. Alex Steiner: Rudy’s father; owns a tailor shop Frau Diller: a staunch member of the Nazi party; owns the corner grocery and

requires a “Heil Hitler” from all her customers Tommy Müller: a neighborhood kid whose chronic ear infections have left him half

deaf and with a twitch; Rudy is very kind to him. Pfiffikus: neighborhood character with a foul mouth and a love of whistling Sister Maria: Liesel’s teacher Ludwig Schmeikl: Liesel’s classmate whom she beats up in the school yard for

teasing her; Later, Liesel will help him get to safety when he wounds his ankle at the bonfire.

Hans Jr.: one of the Hubermanns’ two children; at odds with his father, as he (Hans Jr.) is a

devoted member of the Nazi party Trudy Hubermann: Hans and Rosa’s daughter; works as a nanny in Munich Max Vandenburg: the young Jewish man the Hubermanns hide in their basement;

becomes Liesel’s dear friend Arthur Berg: kind older boy who leads the fruit-stealing gang Walter Kugler: Max’s boyhood friend who helps him escape the Nazis in Stuttgart Otto Sturm: a farm boy; Liesel and Rudy plan an attack to get his food. Erik Vandenburg: Hans’ friend in World War I; indirectly saves Hans’ life; Max’s

father Franz Deutscher: the sadistic young leader of Rudy’s Hitler Youth division

Viktor Chemmel: takes over the fruit-stealing gang when Arthur Berg leaves town; a much more tyrannical leader than Arthur

Sergeant Boris Schipper: leader of Hans’ LSE unit Reinhold Zucker: man in Hans’ LSE unit who dislikes Hans; indirectly saves Hans’

life Michael Holtzapfel: Frau Holtzapfel’s son; comes home from the Russian front and

commits suicide Robert Holtzapfel: Frau Holtzapfel’s son; dies from battle wounds on the Russian

front

Background Information

Important Dates1924—Hitler sent to prison after a failed coup d’état; writes Mein Kampf

1933—January 30th: Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany; April 1st: Nazi boycott ofJewish-owned shops; May 10th: Nazis burn books in Germany; June: Nazis open Dachau concentration camp.

1934—August 19th: Adolf Hitler becomes Führer of Germany.

1935—March 16th: Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles by introducing military conscription;September 15th: German Jews stripped of rights by Nuremberg Race Laws.

1936—February 10th: The German Gestapo is placed above the law; August 1st: Olympic Games begin in Berlin.

1937—November 5th: Hitler reveals war plans during Hossbach Conference.

1938—August 12th: German military mobilizes; October 15th: German troops occupy theSudetenland; Czech Government resigns; November 9th–10th: Kristallnacht—The Night ofBroken Glass

1939—January 30th: Hitler threatens Jews during Reichstag speech; August 31st: British Fleet

mobilizes; Civilian evacuations from London begin; September 1st: Nazis invade Poland;September 3rd: Britain, France, Austria, and New Zealand declare war on Germany; September17th: Soviets invade Poland; October: Nazis begin euthanizing sick and disabled Germans.

1941—June 22nd: Hitler breaks the non-aggression pact with Stalin and invades the SovietUnion; December 11th: Germany declares war on the United States.

1943—Hitler becomes increasingly erratic after being defeated at the Battle of Stalingrad; Masskillings continue with the “liquidation” of several Jewish ghettos in Europe; The deportation ofItalian Jews to Auschwitz begins.

1944—June 6th: D-Day; Allies open a “second front” with landings at Normandy.

1945—April 29th: Dachau concentration camp is liberated; April 30th: Hitler commits suicide by biting into a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the mouth.

Discussion Questions For the novel

Death and Chocolate–The Kiss (A Childhood Decision Maker)

The story begins with an introduction by the narrator, Death. He relates that he will be tellingthe story of one great human survivor whom he refers to as “the book thief.” When the readermeets this person, Liesel, she is traveling with her mother and younger brother on a train. During the trip, her brother dies and they bury him near the tracks. Her mother takes Liesel to Molching where she is left with foster parents, the Hubermanns—loud and menacing Rosa and her gentle husband, Hans. Various citizens of Molching are introduced, including the resident Nazi, Frau Diller, and the spirited young Rudy, who will become Liesel’s best friend.

Discussion Questions

1. When Death says he needs distraction from “the leftover humans,” to whom is he referring? How is he preparing the reader for the novel’s subject?

2. Discuss Death’s narrative voice. Is there anything surprising about the way the author characterizes Death? What do you observe about the way Death presents Liesel’s story?

3. Discuss how the setting contributes to the plot. What dimension does it add as the story unfolds?

The Jesse Owens Incident–Dead Letters

Liesel continues to get acclimated to life in Molching. Her nightmares continue, which lead tomiddle-of-the-night reading lessons with Hans using The Grave Digger’s Handbook. Liesel faces problems at school because of her poor reading skills. The teasing culminates in her beating one of her classmates, which actually gains her some respect. Rosa starts losing customers who, due to the war, can no longer afford her services. Liesel’s friendship with Rudy grows, and his Jesse Owens caper is explained.

Discussion Questions1. Alex Steiner feels conflicted when he regards the plight of the Jews in

Germany. What part does Nazi propaganda play in his conflicted feelings? How typical do you imagine his thoughts on Jews were at the time?

2. Do you agree with Death’s belief that the Nazis never would have been successful if the Germans were not so fond of burning things? On which human quality do you think Death is commenting? Are destruction, fighting, or war part of the human condition?

3. Death describes Liesel as “a girl made of darkness” (p. 84). How does this description connect to the fate of her mother? What do you think may have happened to her mother?

Hitler’s Birthday, 1940–The Attributes of Summer

The reader is introduced to the Hubermanns’ children, Trudy and Hans Jr. Tension between father and son is great, as Hans Jr. is an avid Nazi. They quarrel, and Hans Jr. calls his father a coward, a mysterious allusion to Hans’ service in World War I. The family attends the bonfire of banned books in honor of Hitler’s birthday. At the end of the day, Liesel steals a book from the smoldering pile, realizing too late that the mayor’s wife saw her. Rather than turning Liesel in, the mayor’s wife invites Liesel into her library the next time she comes to get the wash. Later, a hungry Rudy and Liesel join a group of boys stealing apples from local farmers.

Discussion Questions

1. Discuss Hans’ relationship with his son, Hans Jr. What are the sources of tension between them?

2. Discuss how the power of words is emerging as one of the novel’s themes. Connect it both to the bonfire and to Liesel’s response to the mayor’s wife’s library. What message do you think the author is trying to convey with this theme? What examples from present-day life can you offer that illustrate the power of words?

3. Death assigns the identity of “book thief” to Liesel. Do you think Liesel’s thievery is justified? Do you see any difference between her theft of books and her theft of apples?

The Aryan Shopkeeper–Liesel’s Lecture

The reader learns the story of Max, the Jew hiding in the Hubermanns’ basement, and hisconnection to Hans. He is the son of Erik Vandenburg, Hans’ friend in World War I who taughtHans to play the accordion and indirectly saved his life. In gratitude, Hans told Mrs. Vandenburgto contact him if she ever needed anything. With the help of Walter Kruger, Max’s childhoodfriend, Max escapes the Nazis and ultimately makes his way to the Hubermanns’. In the meantime, Rudy and Liesel continue their “life of crime,” devising a plan to steal food from a farm boy and participating in more schemes with Arthur Berg’s gang.

Discussion Questions

1. Death says of Rudy, “In years to come, he would be a giver of bread, not a stealer—proof again of the contradictory human being. So much good, so much evil. Just add water” (p. 164). What observation is Death making about the human condition? Do you agree with his assessment that there is goodness and evil in every person?

2. What do the details about Max’s childhood reveal about his character as he faces his current struggles?

3. Examine situations in the novel where characters have acted against their own principles. Do you believe the rules change when survival is at stake, or should people stick unflinchingly to their sense of right and wrong?

The Sleeper–The Gamblers (A Seven-Sided Die)

After sleeping for three days, Max begins to settle into the Hubermann household. He hidesmostly in the basement under the stairs, except in the winter when it is too cold. Liesel and Maxslowly form a powerful friendship, brought together initially by the shared experience ofnightmares and furthered by their innate kindness and love of words. Max creates a book forLiesel and dreams of defeating Adolf Hitler in the boxing ring. In the meantime, Rosa loses herremaining washing customers—the mayor and his wife. Soon after receiving the news, Lieselberates the mayor’s wife with a torrent of scathing words and harsh accusations. When Rosadiscovers that Liesel has behaved in such a manner, she uncharacteristically refuses to punishLiesel.

Discussion Questions

1. Analyze and respond to Max’s book. How did you feel reading it and studying the pictures? What does the book reveal about Max, Liesel, and their situation? What is ironic about the paper on which Max writes the book?

2. Why is the die image used to tell the story of Max’s first months at the Hubermanns’ home? What do the first six sides of the die have in common? What idea is conveyed by the seventh side?

3. Max’s dream of fighting Adolf Hitler is an extended metaphor for his current situation. Discuss the meaning of the fantasy’s various elements. Why in the first version is he seemingly defeated, but in the second dream he tells Liesel he wins?

The Next Temptation–Homecoming

Liesel finally comes face to face with Ilsa Hermann and starts to make amends. Michael Holtzapfel returns wounded from the Russian front with news of his brother Robert’s death. The news leaves Frau Holtzapfel despondent. Rudy grows increasingly angry over his father’s absence and decides to steal from the Nazis who have stolen his father from him; he discovers, however, that he is not a thief. An English-speaking bomber crashes his plane nearby. Rudy offers a teddy bear to the dying pilot as comfort in his final minutes of life, and Death reports coming face to face with Liesel in the plane. Hans’ LSE unit has a truck accident. Hans’ leg is broken, and he returns home.

Discussion Questions

1. What purpose is served by introducing Michael Holtzapfel at this point in the novel, as well as detailing Robert’s death on the Russian front?

2. Discuss Rudy’s “career” as a thief. What stops him from breaking into the homes of the wealthy Nazis in town? In what way does the teddy bear signify his change of heart?

3. Why does Michael Holtzapfel become despondent in the bomb shelter? What does his decision to leave his mother say about his character?

The End of the World (Part I)–The Handover Man

Death continues to move the reader toward the event he has been promising: the bombing ofHimmel Street. He skips back and forth in time, first telling of the devastation, then backing upto the events that preceded it. Michael Holtzapfel hangs himself out of survivor’s guilt. Lieselspots Max in a parade of Jews being taken to Dachau concentration camp. She runs to him, and they have a brief conversation before both are caught and whipped by the guards. Subsequently, Liesel tells Rudy all about Max. Angered by all of the tragic events that have filled her life, Liesel tears up one of Ilsa Hermann’s books, then leaves a note apologizing. In response, Ilsa arrives at the Hubermanns’ with a blank book in which Liesel can write her story. Liesel is writing that story in her basement when bombs fall on Himmel Street without warning, killing everyone Liesel knows and loves, including Rosa, Hans, and Rudy. Liesel, filled with grief, goes to live with the Hermanns. She spends time with Alex Steiner, who is sent home from the war when his family is killed. After the war is ended, Max comes to Alex’s shop looking for Liesel. The reader learns that Liesel goes on to live a long life in Australia with a family of her own, before being visited a final time by Death.

Discussion Questions

1. Death relates the death of many of the main characters prior to the actual events. Do you find this to be an appealing technique, or does it detract from the flow of the story? Why do you think the author chose to handle the climax of the novel this way?

2. Discuss what drives Michael Holtzapfel to commit suicide. Why does Death say, “He killed himself for wanting to live” (p. 503)? What purpose does Michael’s character serve in the story?

3. Examine the encounter between Liesel and Max as Max is paraded to Dachau concentration camp. How does this meeting encapsulate the relationship Liesel and Max built while he was living with the Hubermanns?

4. Why does Liesel write the story of the book thief? Do you suppose she gains strength from this project, or does she see it simply as a story that needs to be told? Note Liesel’s contrasting emotions: “[Liesel] simply didn’t care anymore…[didn’t] want to hope for anything anymore” (pp. 520, 521) vs. “…

Liesel Meminger started writing, not knowing how she was ever going to get this right.…There was so much to consider, so many things in danger of being left out” (pp. 525, 527).

5. When Death visits Liesel for the final time, she has visions of her husband, children, grandchildren, the Hubermanns, her brother, and Rudy—all important people in her life. Why might Max’s name be omitted from this list?

6. Examine Death’s final statement to the reader: “I am haunted by humans” (p. 550).

Post Reading Discussion Questions

1. Given all of Death’s warnings, were you prepared for the way the novel ended? In what ways was it what you expected? What surprised you?

2. What effect does the narration by Death have on the story? Do you think Zusak made a good choice in making Death the narrator? Do you feel his voice changed at all from the beginning to the end of the novel?

3. What did you think of Death’s voice in the novel? How is Death portrayed differently than he often appears in other pieces of literature?

4. One of the themes of the novel is survival. Discuss the different faces of survival shown through Hans, Max, and Michael Holtzapfel. Do any shine as examples of people who have survived “well”?

5. Discuss the prominent use of color in the book, especially as it pertains to the sky. What purpose might it serve?

Characterization: Use the following quotes to determine which character they represent.

Dynamic: a literary or dramatic character that undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude: Ebeneezer Scrooge is a dynamic character.

Static: a literary or dramatic character who undergoes little or no inner change; a character who does not grow or develop.

Round: a character in fiction whose personality, background, motives, and other features are fully delineated by the author.

Flat: an easily recognized character type in fiction who may not be fully delineated but is useful in carrying out some narrative purpose of the author.

Character Textual Evidence/Quotation

describing character and page

number

Impact that this character has

on the novel. In this section

name whether the character is

a Dynamic or Static Character.

Characterization: Would you

consider this character a Round

or Flat character? What evidence

can you provide that leads you to

this conclusion?

Death

Liesel Meminger

Max Vandenburg

Hans Hubermann

Rosa Hubermann

Rudy Steiner

Ilsa Hermann

Paula Meminger

Michael Holtzapfel

Alex Steiner

Thomas Mamer

Frau Holtzapfel

Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a literary technique in which events that occur later in a story are hinted

at in advance. The narrator Death reveals almost all of the crucial events of The Book Thief in advance, especially

when certain characters die and under what circumstances. In the prologue, Death explains that the novel will

include, among other things, "a girl" (Liesel), "an accordionist" (Hans), and "a Jewish fist fighter" (Max). Death also

reveals here the bombing raid that takes place at the end of the novel as well as the death of an American fighter

pilot; Death describes Liesel as a "perpetual survivor," indicating that she lives through the war while others around

her die. The Book Thief contains a great deal of foreshadowing: hints and outright revelations about the characters'

fates and the outcomes of various events can be found in every part. Zusak's use of this technique keeps the

reader's focus on the actual processes by which the characters meet their ends and emphasizes the futility of the

characters' individual actions in the face of an all-consuming war.

You will need one example from each Part of the novel (1-10)

Textual Evidence that leads you to believe a possible

future outcome. List page number and quote

Event that is being foreshadowed

What event in the novel, within your personal perspective provided a proper twist to the

novel? That is to say that which event was foreshadowed with implications to having the

greatest amount of suspense to you, the reader? Provide evidence to defend your decision

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Figurative Language

In this section of the Literature study you will make notations to the use of figurative

language. You are to locate 2 examples of each and will provide textual evidence as to why

it is the type you have named it. Specifically:

Metaphor: The metaphor states a fact or draws a verbal picture by the use of comparison. A simile would say you are

like something; a metaphor is more positive - it says you are something. Example: You are what you eat.

Simile: A simile uses the words “like” or “as” to compare one object or idea with another to suggest they are alike.

Example: busy as a bee

Personification: A figure of speech in which human characteristics are given

to an animal or an object. Example: My teddy bear gave me a hug.

Alliteration: The repetition of the same initial letter, sound, or group of sounds in a series of words. Alliteration

includes tongue twisters. Example: She sells seashells by the seashore.

Hyperbole: An exaggeration that is so dramatic that no one would believe the statement is true. Tall tales are

hyperboles. Example: He was so hungry; he ate that whole cornfield for lunch, stalks and all.

Onomatopoeia: The use of a word to describe or imitate a natural sound or the sound

made by an object or an action. Example: snap crackle pop

Type of Figurative Language Textual Evidence: Quote and page number Justification or explanation to how the

quote is proper use of _______________.

Metaphor

Metaphor

Simile

Simile

Personification

Personification

Alliteration

Alliteration

Hyperbole

Hyperbole

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia

The Book Thief Vocabulary: For each complete the vocabulary terminology. These will be either matching or multiple choice

The Book Thief: Prologue - Part Oneprofanity nefarious coax apprentice Communistgingerly enviable trepidation distraction versatilityfanatical innocuously bluster echelon abhorrencespectrum intonation illustrious hindered resonateamiable

Write in the correct vocabulary word for each.

1. ________________: overly enthusiastic or devoted

2. ________________: a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker3. ________________: a formation of units (as troops or airplanes) resembling a series of steps4. ________________: to shrink from in disgust

5. ________________: to blow violently and noisily

6. ________________: to strike a chord

7. ________________: producing no injury

8. ________________: likely to be the object of envy

9. ________________: the ability to play or sing music in tune

10. _______________: a person who believes in communism

11. _______________: very wicked

12. _______________: very cautious or careful

13. _______________: generally agreeable, having a friendly and pleasant manner

14. _______________: the group of different colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet arranged in the order of their wavelengths and seen when white light passes through a prism and falls on a surface or when sunlight is scattered by water droplets to form a rainbow

15. _______________: able to do many different kinds of things

16. _______________: something that makes it hard to pay attention

17. _______________: to make slow or difficult

18. _______________: very outstanding

19. _______________: a state of alarm or nervousness

The Book Thief: Part Two -Three

Pensive bigot perplexity deterrent flippantfruition protagonist fervent evade castigatedanimosity prolific obligatory sheepishly irrefutableoverzealous rebuke immersed stint

Select the definition that most nearly defines the given word.

1. flippantA. having or expressing great warmth or depth of feeling

B. treating lightly something serious or worthy of respect

2. prolificA. the state of being real or complete

B. producing young or fruit in large numbers

3. perplexityA. bewildermentB. to punish, scold, or criticize harshly

4. ferventA. embarrassed especially over being found out in a faultB. having or expressing great warmth or depth of feeling

5. protagonistA. the chief character in a play, novel, or storyB. to limit in share or portion

6. immersed

A. to become completely involved inB. producing young or fruit in large numbers

7. fruitionA. able or acting to deterB. the state of being real or complete

8. stintA. to limit in share or portionB. a feeling of dislike or hatred

9. animosityA. a feeling of dislike or hatredB. to become completely involved in

10. rebukeA. so as to be greater, better, or stronger thanB. to criticize sharply

The Book Thief: Part Four - Five

dissipated debilitate gallantry frugal hypothermiaaffront awry ludicrous ostracism rheumatismloathsome decimated malice pathetic persecutiondubious eccentric

Match each definition with a word.1. __________________: any of various conditions marked by stiffness, pain, or swelling in muscles or joints2. __________________: a general refusal to include someone as part of a social group3. __________________: the intention of doing harm for the satisfaction of doing it

4. __________________: acting or thinking in an unusual way

5. __________________: off the right course

6. __________________: to reduce the strength of

7. __________________: very unpleasant

8. __________________: careful in spending or using resources

9. __________________: an act of notable courtesy

10. _________________: to destroy a large part of

11. _________________: the act or practice of persecuting; cruel or unfair treatment because of race or religious beliefs.

12. _________________: to use up wastefully or foolishly

13. _________________: to insult openly

14. _________________: causing one to feel tenderness, pity, or sorrow

15. _________________: reduction of the body temperature to an abnormally low level

16. _________________: causing doubt

The Book Thief: Part Six - Seven

futile vigilance oblivious epitome paradoximmutable reprieve desolation grapple stoiccynical resurgence bulbous tirade cauldronrepercussions dank surly

Select the definition that most nearly defines the given word.

1. repercussionsA. a long violent angry speechB. a return action or effect2. tiradeA. a large kettleB. a long violent angry speech3. paradoxA. a statement that seems to go against common sense but may still be trueB. the quality or state of being vigilant, or watchful and alert4. grappleA. to seize and struggle with one anotherB. a statement that seems to go against common sense but may still be true

5. dankA. not being conscious or awareB. unpleasantly moist or wet

6. cynicalA. a rising again into life, activity, or noticeB. having or showing the attitude of a cynic, not trusting human nature7. cauldronA. impossible to changeB. a large kettle8. epitomeA. to seize and struggle with one anotherB. a summary of a written work or a typical example of a type or class9. immutableA. impossible to changeB. to give relief or deliverance for a time10. bulbousA. resembling a bulb in being rounded or swollenB. a return action or effect

The Book Thief: Part Ten - Epilogue

exquisite morosely resolute blaspheme demisealleviate sawn obliterated pendulum liberationwhittled murky throes brutality detonation

Select the definition that most nearly defines the given word.1. whittledA. to reduce graduallyB. to speak of or talk to with disrespect

2. brutalityA. a movement seeking equal rights for a group or set freeB. the quality or state of being brutal

3. resoluteA. to remove or destroy completelyB. marked by firm determination

4. sawnA. to explode or cause to explode with sudden violenceB. to cut or shape with a saw

5. detonationA. finely done or made

B. to explode or cause to explode with sudden violence

6. obliteratedA. to remove or destroy completelyB. to cut or shape with a saw

7. throesA. a hard or painful struggleB. to reduce gradually

8. murkyA. difficult to understandB. the quality or state of being brutal

9. moroselyA. marked by firm determinationB. gloomily

10. demiseA. an ending of existence or activity

B. a weight hung from