The Book Thief  tells the brutal, but endearing story of young Liesel Meminger, a foster child who lives in Germany during the start of World War II. Her brother is dead and her mother has left her in the hands of Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Liesel becomes at loss for words.

Reading. Reading. Reading. Liesel wants nothing more in the world than to read. After Hans, her loving foster father, discovers Liesel's book, The Grave Digger's Handbook, he decides to help her learn to read. Liesel is elated. What better than to learn to read literature with a loving man who will never give up on her. She often hides from the world, never knowing when to speak up or have a little faith in herself.

For example, at school, everyone in Liesel's class was required to read a passage from a book in English. Liesel was the only student not to have her name called. She tried to prove to Sister Maria, her teacher, that she could indeed read. But when she looked down at the text, words swam across the pages and stumped her. She ended up reading a passage from The Grave Digger's Handbook, which she had memorized, and was hit for it. Liesel became silent.

Words are powerful. Despite the saying "Actions speak louder than words," Liesel has chosen to express her feelings with actions. Perhaps she believes what she has to say isn't important. But fighting someone to get rid of her anger isn't solving anything either. One day, Liesel will find her voice and use words to express herself. She will see the true meaning of words and how vital they are to society. Because sometimes, it feels good to say something.

Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud.  ~Hermann Hesse