Student Name: _______________________________________________ Hour: _______ Date: ________________
THE BOOK THIEF
PART 5
GUIDED READING QUESTIONS
THE FLOATING BOOK (Part 1)
Close and Critical Reading
A. Highlight examples of foreshadowing.
B. Highlight examples of simile.
C. Highlight examples of personification.
Short Answer.
Be sure you respond to the questions using complete sentences for full credit.
1. What does this chapter foreshadow will happen to Rudy? Be specific.
2. How does this chapter enhance the audience’s perception of Death as a character? Explain.
THE GAMBLERS (A SEVEN-SIDED DIE)
Close and Critical Reading
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Highlight evidence from the text that illustrates the developing friendship between Liesel and Max.
Highlight evidence from the text that illustrates the mental anguish that both Liesel and Max suffer.
Highlight evidence from the text that supports the novel’s theme of the power of words.
Highlight lines that emphasize the innocence of childhood.
Highlight examples of personification.
Short Answer.
Be sure you respond to the questions using complete sentences for full credit.
1. Who does Max ask to cut his hair? What does this suggest? Explain.
2. List a minimum of three things that help bring Liesel and Max together.
3. How does personification enhance Max’s agony?
4. Describe in detail Max’s fantasy.
5. Re-read your answer to question #4. How is Max’s fantasy symbolic? Be specific.
6. How does Liesel react intially to Ilsa Hermann’s letter? Be specific.
7. How is Liesel’s reaction to Ilsa Hermann’s letter similar to Max’s fantasy? Explain.
8. Why did Liesel want a Watschen? What does this suggest about her character? Explain.
RUDY’S YOUTH
Close and Critical Reading
A. Highlight words and phrases from the text that reveal Franz Deutsher’s love of bullying.
B. Highlight lines from the text that emphasize the Nazi belief in absolute conformity.
Short Answer.
Be sure you respond to the questions using complete sentences for full credit.
1. Why does Tommy Mueller get into trouble? What does this suggest about the Nazi regime as a whole?
Explain.
Student Name: _______________________________________________ Hour: _______ Date: ________________
PART 5 CONT.
THE LOSERS
Close and Critical Reading
A. Highlight lines from the text that show the distinct similarities between Victor Chemmel and Hitler.
Short Answer.
Be sure you respond to the questions using complete sentences for full credit.
1. How did Hitler’s political rhetoric unwittingly encourage crime? HINT: Compare Hitler’s message with Victor
Chemmel’s attitude on stealing.
2. List a minimum of five ways in which Victor Chemmel’s character parallels Hitler’s style of leadership.
SKETCHES
Short Answer.
Be sure you respond to the questions using complete sentences for full credit.
1. This chapter features two sketches drawn by Max Vandenburg. What does the sketch of Hitler atop the
podium represent? What message is being conveyed here? Explain.
2. What message does the sketch featuring a mound of corpses convey? Discuss how it is both ironic and
symbolic.
Student Name: _______________________________________________ Hour: _______ Date: ________________
PART 5 CONT.
THE WHISTLER AND THE SHOES
Close and Critical Reading
A. Highlight lines from the text that help explain Liesel and Rudy’s motivation to steal.
B. Highlight lines which emphasize Liesel’s sense of loyalty.
Short Answer.
Be sure you respond to the questions using complete sentences for full credit.
1. Ultimately, why do Liesel and Rudy want to steal? HINT: The reason goes beyond want or hunger.
2. What does Liesel want to steal and why?
3. List two specific things that Rudy does that annoy Liesel.
4. How and when does Liesel get the nickname “book thief”?
THREE ACTS OF STUPIDITY BY RUDY STEINER
Close and Critical Reading
A. Highlight lines that convey Rudy’s desperation.
B. Highlight lines that convey Rudy’s defiance.
Short Answer.
Be sure you respond to the questions using complete sentences for full credit.
1. What was Rudy’s first act of stupidity?
2. What was Rudy’s second act of stupidity?
3. What was Rudy’s third act of stupidity?
4. Why does Rudy purposely give Franz Deutscher the wrong answer? Be specific.
5. Why does Rudy give his new division leader the right answer? What does this suggest about his character?
THE FLOATING BOOK (Part II)
Close and Critical Reading
A. Highlight lines from the chapter that help the reader more clearly understand Rudy’s feelings for Liesel.
B. Highlight examples of foreshadowing.
Short Answer.
Be sure you respond to the questions using complete sentences for full credit.
1. What was Rudy’s victory and what motivated the actions behind it? Be specific.
2. What does this chapter reveal about Rudy’s feelings for Liesel? Explain.
3. What does the final paragraph foreshadow?