Centre County Reads is pleased to announce that our 2012 reading selection is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This award-winning book has captured the hearts and imaginations of people around the world. We hope you'll read it and discuss it with your Centre County neighbors. We have many exciting events planned for this year including an Indoor Sports Day at the YMCA, a Grim Reaper Writing Contest, and a Skype appearance by author Markus Zusak!
Liesel Meminger is only nine years old when she is taken to live with the Hubermanns, a foster family, on Himmel Street in Molching, Germany, in the late 1930s. She arrives with few possessions, but among them is The Grave Digger's Handbook, a book that she stole from her brother's burial place. During the years that Liesel lives with the Hubermanns, Hitler becomes more powerful, life on Himmel Street becomes more fearful, and Liesel becomes a full-fledged book thief. She rescues books from Nazi book-burnings and steals from the library of the mayor. Liesel is illiterate when she steals her first book, but Hans Hubermann uses her prized books to teach her to read. This is a story of courage, friendship, love, survival, death, and grief. This is Liesel's life on Himmel Street, told from Death's point of view. Click here for discussion questions for The Book Thief.
Australian author Markus Zusak grew up hearing stories about Nazi Germany, about the bombing of Munich and about Jews being marched through his mother's small, German town. He always knew it was a story he wanted to tell. Zusak is the award-winning author of four previous books for young adults: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, Getting the Girl, and I Am the Messenger, recipient of a 2006 Printz Honor for excellence in young adult literature. He lives in Sydney.
Kick off our 2012 programming season with sports activities that are fun for the whole family!
The characters in The Book Thief use sports to persevere through the difficult times in which they live. Find out more about The Book Thief, climb the rock wall, race on scooters, shoot some hoops and more. Ike the Spike and the Nittany Lion will make appearances. We'll also be giving away copies of the book!
State College YMCA, 677 W. Whitehall Rd
