The Book Thief Lesson Plan

On page 521, Liesel rips up the pages of a book in the Mayor's wife's library. Why is this action important? How has Liesel's relationship with words changed over the course of the book?

Plot (visually or verbally) the course of Liesel's relationship with words from the start of the book to the end. Seek out specific instances of change -- e.g. finding the grave digger book, being unable to read in front of a class, learning to read with Hans, the book burning, reading The Word Shaker, etc. After the students have created a rough map, ask them which moments were most powerful in shaping/changing Liesel's opinion of words. Create a very clear picture of how Liesel views...