Date: OCTOBER 1943 ~Brian

October 1943

Today, Himmel Street was bombed. I looked for anyone else but I could not find them. Himmel Street no longer existed. Hans was gone. Frau Diller was gone. I was so worried about papa, mama, and Max. I saw somebody pass by with my papa’s accordion case. I took the case and immediately dropped it when I saw Frau Holtzapfel’s dead body on the ground. I followed the men carrying the body and I saw the rest of the dead. I saw Rudy. I ran to him and tried to wake him up. He couldn’t move. I kissed him, hoping he would wake up, but he did not, the love of my life, gone. Then, I saw my mama and my papa. They weren’t moving. I remembered all the good times I had with them. I remember when papa taught me how to read and write and I remember when mama held the accordion to her heart praying for all to survive the war. She was so beautiful and innocent. Now, they lay lifeless. I left and I remembered my book. It was in a garbage truck when I found it. Luckily, I was able to get it before the truck left. Today… I lost all my family and friends. All I have left now is The Book Thief.

"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."

Liesel Meminger 

Date: JUNE 1941 ~ Ethan

June 1941 

Sorry it's been a while since I've written. A lot has happened. Rosa was fired from working at the mayor’s house. When Ilsa Hermann fired my Mama, rage burst out of me and anger stirred within my tiny heart. Out of revenge, Rudy and I agreed upon the daring move to steal books from the mayor’s wife, Ilsa Hermann’s library. When days were down and my best friend and I were looking for some fun and mischief, we stole a book. Words are my medicine; they are the cure to any problem. I climb through the window, tip-toe to the library and grab a delicious book off the shelf. Oh how the spine is rough and pages so fragile like glass. However, one day, in particular, was the turning point for the journey of theft for my friend and me. One special day, when my heart craved literature, Rudy and I rode our bikes to 8 Grande Strasse, the grand house of the mayor and his wife. When we observed the “entry-point”, the window, we saw none other than a dictionary and once again I took it. Inside it was a letter. It was the mayor’s wife writing to say she knows about the theft. Surprisingly, she said it was okay. She states that next time, she hopes I use the front door instead. I guess the woman does want a friend after all.'

Liesel Meminger

Date: NOVEMBER 1940 ~Kimberly

November 1940 

Today was quite interesting. Papa introduced me to Max. He is a quiet one. Mama and Papa made me promise to keep quiet about Max. If the Nazi Party found out, Papa said that they could take away himself and Mama and Max forever. Max is not so bad after all. I feel bad for him because he has to crouch under paint cans and drop sheets just to save his life. Each night, I go to him and I tell him stories. I read my books, or should I say, “borrowed” books to him. He sits and listens and peacefully draws and writes in his journal. Max tells me the stories of how he dreams of the Führer, and each time they battle in a boxing ring. In the end, Max conquers him. That story leads me to think the Führer is not so great after all. In fact, he is the opposite of courageous, brave, smart and leader. It hurts me and brings me pain to think that the Jewish population is in misery. Each and every day, Max asks me to give him a weather report, and each day, as I explain it to him, his eyes light up and you know he wishes he was free to see it all. My friend Max is the greatest friend I have ever will ever have and know, next to Rudy of course, and I promise that I will walk by his side and we will pass through the Holocaust together, jumping over every obstacle and conquering the Führer together.  

Liesal Meminger

Date: DECEMBER 1939 ~Steve

December 1939

My father was a very helpful and influential person in my life. Without him I would have never learned how to read or write. In our basement, there were walls that were able to help me read and write. He used his brushes and painted them to show me how to comprehend the basic skills of reading and writing. He taught me how to pronounce letters and words and how to say them and read them as well. My father would read to me before I would go to bed. I slowly gained a passion for reading and writing. My reading and writing school started to develop slowly, I couldn't wait to become a good writer.

Liesal Meminger 

Date: NOVEMBER 1939 ~Kate

November 1939 

Hi, I'm Liesel Meminger, also known as the book thief. I'm going to tell you about how I ended up at: 33 Himmel Street, where the buildings are right next to each other and a thin layer of dirt covers every crevasse and corner of Molching, Germany. It all started when my brother, Mama and I were on the train heading to Himmel Street to meet our foster parents, for Mama could not support the three of us on her own. My brother and I would stay with Rosa and Hans Hubermann, our foster parents. Then, on the train, my brother passed away. I sat there frozen with tears crawling down my face, watching him. He didn't move. Mama, my dead brother and I were kicked off the train. and had to catch another train to Himmel Street. While burying my brother, the gravedigger finished digging the grave and left behind a book, without noticing it slipped out of his pocket. It was the first book I stole. After burying my brother, my Mama and I caught a train and headed for Himmel Street. Mama and I eventually made our way to 33 Himmel Street, sadly without my brother and we were greeted by Rosa and Hans Hubermann. Today I continue to adjust to my new life. Each night I have nightmares about my beloved brother. However, my new papa, Hans, is always there to comfort me. Rosa calls everyone a "Saumensch", pig in German. Although she uses such language, i know that she and papa both love me. Welcome to my blog.

 Liesal Meminger 

Liesel Meminger