ENG3U1
Ms. Nagy
Unit Overview: The Book Thief
Overview:
Our major novel study for the course will be a critical reading of Markus Zusacks’ The Book
Thief. This novel tells the story of Liesel, a young girl living in Nazi Germany from the
perspective of Death, who serves as the narrator in the novel. Our guiding considerations are as
follows:
 At what point does one choose their individual identity over conformity? At what
cost?

How are we, as human beings, impacted by abandonment and loss? How does
this differ based on person and experience?

What impact do words have on the human experience? What power do they
have? How do they shape our reality?

What impact does adversity have on the human experience? How do we
overcome? At what expense?
Unit at a Glance:
N
O
V
E
M
B
E
R
Monday
11
Film Study Work
Period
Tuesday
12
Introduction to
Novel
18
ISU Work Period
19
The Book Thief
Pages 45-61
20
25
The Book Thief
Pages 125-141
26
The Book Thief
Pages 142-160
27
Monday
2
D
E
C
E
M
B
E
R
Wednesday
The Book Thief
Pages 62-80
21
The Book Thief
Pages 83-100
22
The Book Thief
Pages 101-122
28
*ISU ESSAY DUE
The Book Thief
Pages 185-204
29
Wednesday
4
The Book Thief
Pages 205-238
The Book Thief
Pages 241-271
10
The Book Thief
Pages 371-395
11
The Book Thief
Pages 347-370
16
The Book Thief
Pages 459-478
17
The Book Thief
Pages 479-493
18
23
24
25
:)
B
Friday
15
ISU Work Period
The Book Thief
Pages 161-184
Tuesday
3
9
The Book Thief
Pages 3-15
Thursday
14
The Book Thief
Pages 19-44
13
X
R
P.D
DAY
Thursday
5
Friday
6
The Book Thief
Pages 272-292
The Book Thief
Pages 293-316
The Book Thief
Pages 317-346
The Book Thief
Pages 397-419
12
The Book Thief
Pages 420-437
13
The Book Thief
Pages 438-455
19
The Book Thief
Pages 519-550
20
The Book Thief
Pages 497-518
26
27
M
E
A
A
HOLIDAYS
BEGIN!
S
K
ENG3U1
Ms. Nagy
Unit Assessments:
1) Analysis Questions:
Learning Goals:
Assessed in: Reading and Literature Studies


To demonstrate a thorough ability to read and understand the
novel’s literal and figurative content
To demonstrate a thorough ability to identify and evaluate the
effectiveness of text features
Success Criteria:




I can successfully communicate the implied ideas presented within
the novel
I have critically discussed how the author develops the elements
of the novel and whether or not this was successful by using proof
from the text
I can explain the ideas, issues, or themes the novel explores and
how the elements of the novel contribute to them.
I can extend my understanding of the novel by making
connections between the ideas in the book and my personal
experience, knowledge and insights
The calendar in this handout details the reading that will take place in class each day (subject
to change based on class needs). For each section of the novel you will be required to either
complete the questions provided or respond to the sections with your own thoughts on what you
have read. You will be given time to read and begin answering these questions or writing your
thoughts in class but there may be times when you need to complete them at home. Your
answers to these questions/your ideas should be well developed and supported with evidence
from the text. You need to demonstrate careful thought and thorough analysis within your
responses. You will be evaluated on your ability to communicate your ideas, your level of
thinking and your demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the novel. Remember, I am
interested in your thoughts – good or bad!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2) Critical Responses
Evaluated in: Writing /20 marks per response
Within this unit you will be asked to write a Critical Response to a quote, idea, photo or other
prompt based on the novel. Within these responses you will need to reference the book and
also connect to the larger issues presented within the prompt. These responses will be linked to
the guiding questions of our unit.
Learning Goal:
Success Criteria:

To generate and develop ideas based on the elements of the
novel, The Book Thief in written form while demonstrating a
thorough knowledge of conventions.

I have generated and developed ideas to successfully complete a
one page response to the topic.
My response is written in a way that examines the novel critically
(includes analysis and not only a summary)

ENG3U1
Ms. Nagy


I have used more than one paragraph to develop my ideas and
they are communicated clearly (limited grammatical and spelling
errors)
My responses are on topic and demonstrate thorough and
insightful commentary and connections.
The following rubric will be used for evaluation:
Criteria
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Knowledge/
Understanding
• key features (e.g., ideas
and themes; form and
structure; language)
shows limited
understanding of key
features of the work
shows some
understanding of key
features of the work
shows considerable
understanding of key
features of the work
shows thorough
understanding of key
features of the work
Thinking/Inquiry
• analysis
few analyses are
logical and insightful
some analyses are
logical and insightful
most analyses are
logical and insightful
all or almost all
analyses are logical
and insightful
• detail (including
quotations)
provides limited
specific and accurate
detail to support ideas
and interpretations
provides some specific
and accurate detail to
support ideas and
interpretations
provides considerable
specific and accurate
detail to support ideas
and interpretations
provides a high
degree of specific and
accurate detail to
support ideas and
interpretations
• risk taking
takes limited risks to
include unexpected or
unconventional
observations
takes some risks to
include unexpected or
unconventional
observations
takes considerable
risks to include
unexpected or
unconventional
observations
takes a high degree of
risk to include
unexpected or
unconventional
observations
Communication
• clarity
thoughts and feelings
are communicated
with limited clarity
thoughts and feelings
are communicated
with some clarity
thoughts and feelings
are communicated
with considerable
clarity
thoughts and feelings
are communicated
with a high degree of
clarity
Application
• personal connections
makes limited
connections with own
experience
makes some
connections with own
experience
makes effective
connections with own
experience
makes highly effective
connections with own
experience
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3) Critical Book Review:
Learning Goal:


Success Criteria:



Evaluated in: Writing /100
To analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of The Book Thief using
proof from the text to support my opinions.
To demonstrate understanding of the questions raised in The Book
Thief regarding beliefs, values, identity and power
I have avoided summary of the novel and instead have discussed my
ideas and opinions on what I read
I have discussed my impressions on the author’s development of the
elements of the novel
I have made connections to the larger issues presented in the text an
commented on how they are developed/represented as well as their
effectiveness
The final project for this unit is a critical book review. In your review you will critically evaluate
the text and discuss your opinions on the author’s choices. Your considerations may include
the author’s choices in regards to narration, plot development, overall organization, character
development, theme, etc. A critical book review is just that, reflecting critically on a published
work, it is not a summary of what you have read. You will assess the strengths and weaknesses
of the novel and explain why you think this. You will be provided with a detailed assignment
sheet including the criteria for evaluation.