> Tena wrote: > *The Book Thief*, by Marcus Zusak, is literature. It is not an easy > read. It is about a young girl who > goes to live in a German working class town. During her journey > there, she > caught the eye of Death, the books narrator, when he comes for her > little > brother. The language is rich and compelling. It is set in the era of > WWII. > The story follows Liesel Meminger through her time in this > neighborhood, > having been taken in by an older couple and coming to terms with the > complexities of Nazi Germany, which, by the way, serves as the > backdrop but > doesn't overshadow the story. I believe Zusak has penned a classic. > As to > readers...I would chose to present this book to sophisticated middle > school > readers, or read it aloud as I will be doing this fall.
I agree with Tena that this book is classic-bound. It has been on the NY Times Best Seller (Chapter Books) list for 67 weeks now and is recommended by them for ages 14+. I believe it began as an adult book but crossed over to YA along the way. It is long - close to 500 pages - and as least for myself, took a while to read - not a page-turner but rather lingering and haunting. I had to put it down and get a break from its intensity. I agree that it is for sophisticated middle school readers and for high school students. It's one I believe I can read again as it is so rich both in the intertwined story and in its language. Tena, I really want to hear the reaction of your kids. I am most curious as to how this goes. I know you said it is your "mentor text" and I'd sure like to hear how you plan to use it. Ginny White Fernandina Beach Middle (FL) _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
