The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Release date: October 15, 2003
Pages: 552

It's just a small story really, about, among other things, a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery.

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist: books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids - as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

The Book Thief is the story of Liesl, a young German girl growing up in Germany during World War II.  The story, however, is not narrated by Liesl.  It is instead narrated by death.  Death tells the story of Liesl stealing books, learning to read, learning compassion, writing her own story, and finally, grieving.

The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel that focuses on some very heavy topics.  The Book Thief was published in Australia before it was published in the United States and it was classified as adult fiction in Australia.  The decision to make it YA in the US centers on Liesl's age but it's actually very controversial since the subject matter could be better suited to older readers.  I, personally, think the adult classification might be better suited for The Book Thief but I do think young adult readers with enough maturity can take away a lot from the story.

Themes:

• power of words
• kindness/cruelty of humans
• mortality
• war
• cowardice
• criminality

Extra content:

Cuddlebuggery's review: "Zusak is an adept writer who uses words to great effect, and I love what he has done here."

Novelicious' review: "When a book is described to you as one of the greatest novels ever written, it has a lot to live up to, but this incredible book certainly managed to live up to the hype."

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The Giver by Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Release date: April 26, 1993
Pages: 179

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

The Giver is a dystopian novel about a boy named Jonas who lives in a perfect society.  There is no crime, no racism, no poverty, no disease.  In faction, most members of the society don't even know what those things are.  They lives of everyone are mapped out from the start.  Everything is chosen for you and society members have no chance to make any decision for themselves.  Jonas would be perfectly content to live his life like this is he hadn't been chosen as the receiver of memories.

As receiver of memories, Jonas is given the knowledge of what life was like in the past.  He learns of war, poverty, hunger, and sickness but also joy, holidays, snow, and love.  With this new knowledge he must look closer at their society and see if there is something he can do to change things.

The Giver is often read by children in middle school but it can be read by much older readers.  Reading it as an adult allowed me to comprehend many things that I would not have understood as a younger reader.

My full review!

Themes:

• importance of memory
• choice
• coming of age
• individuality
• love

Extra content:

Luna Station Quarterly's review: "The plot didn’t feel fully developed enough for me and I was still left with questions such as how did the world become this way?"

Thinking Out Loud's review: "This is a story that rallies against the sacrifice of freedom for the sake of sameness and peaceful control."

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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Title: The One and Only Ivan
Author: Katherine Applegate
Release date: January 17, 2012
Pages: 307

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.

The One and Only Ivan is a middle grade novel about Ivan, a silverback gorilla raised as an exhibit in a strip mall.  He's content with his way of life until a baby elephant named Ruby is brought to the mall as a new exhibit.  He makes a promise that he will get Ruby out and to a better life, no matter what it takes.

The One and Only Ivan is aimed at readers between the ages of 9-12.  However, that does not stop it from appealing to people not in that age range.  It can be read by someone much older, such as myself, or possibly even someone younger.

Themes:

• friendship
• belonging
• art
• hope
• humanity
• death

Extra content:

Blog of a Bookaholic's review: "Katherine Applegate has weaved together a haunting, beautiful story, filled with such vibrant, lovable characters that have set themselves a firm place in my heart."

Sweet on Books' review: "The One and Only Ivan has incredible depth."

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