The Book Thief (2013, 131 minutes), directed by Brian Percival, is based on the novel of the same name by Markus Zusak. The Book Thief takes place during World War II in Germany and tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a German girl, who faces the reality of war after her family harbors a Jewish person named Max Vandenburg. While World War II is an important historical topic, the focus of this discussion guide is on connections between symbols, words, and justice and how these topics influence one’s life.
This discussion guide focuses on the film and is appropriate for a high school discussion group, but can be adapted for various ages. Each session is 60 minutes in length (not including film viewing time). Facilitators are invited to participate in the discussion; all ideas are welcome and considered learning experiences for everyone in the group. The location of the meetings can be anywhere—a religious education classroom, an after-school program, or a book club. If your program has time for it, you might have the group watch the film together. Familiarity with The Book Thief novel is not necessary; however, comparing and contrasting the film with the book may offer a more enriching experience.