This is the best book EVER!!! I think its going to be one of my top ten favorite life time reads. I'm not a big historical fiction fan. Who would have ever thought I'd fall in love with a book written about Hitler Germany? This is an amazing and very powerful book. Its told in a third person, omniscient narration, by DEATH! Yes, Death, is the one who tells this heartbreaking tale of one, Lisiel Merminger of Himmel Street. Having death narrate the book gives readers the perfect perspective. Death, actually was traumatized by humans. He did his job, but it wasn't an easy one, especially when wars were killing off humans by the thousands. Death also used colors to describe his emotions and feelings which was a rich addition to the story. It added another layer of understanding. What I loved so much about this book were the characters. These people really made me feel some, each and every one of them. They were all so kind hearted and selfless. Liesel Merminger, aka the book thief, melted my heart from the very beginning. At such a young age she'd already witnessed death and suffered so much pain. She's timid and fearful, but changes into a fierce and fearless heroine by the end of the book. I adored her interactions with her friend Rudy Stiener from down the street. She was a determined girl, a tomboy and one who doesn't stand down to a challenge even if its a boy. Rudy on the other hand, was the perfect boy down the street. He pretty much had the biggest heart of all. His crush on Liesel was evident and so touching from the very beginning. I think every young girl deserves to experience the love of a boy like Rudy. He would do anything for Liesel and was always by her side, even if it meant jumping into frigidly cold rivers to rescue books! He's definitely a knight in shinning armor. He cared for everyone, even his enemies and was willing to risk being beaten just so the Jews could have bread. Then, there was Papa. He was Liesel's rock. In the beginning he recused her every night from her nightmares, taught her to read and made her feel like the best daughter a man could ever wish for. I loved how he breathed life into his accordion and how he always knew the right thing to say in any circumstance. He loved everyone, treated all people fairly and with respect. He was a great man, we need more people in the world like Hans Huberman, then and only then would the world be a much better place. There are so many other special characters, too. But I only have time to highlight one more: Mama (Rosa Huberman). She took Liesel in as her foster daughter and ended up treating her like her own daughter. She has a very hard exterior shell, never knows how to show her true feelings and LOVES to yell and curse. However, after reading the story, we all know this woman really did care and underneath all the rough exterior she really did have a heart of GOLD. This story was so amazingly good, I was almost depressed when I turned the last page. The characters were so well written they almost felt like kin. I will miss the world, the people and the wonderful story. Its a story I learned a lot from. It doesn't have a very happy ending, but I recommend this book to any and all readers. I can't imagine a person would wouldn't appreciate this fabulous story. If a story can make me feel, evolk emotions and make me care, then I fell like its a great book and this one definitely exceeds that criteria.