The Book Thief by Mark Zusak is the Fall Selection for One Book, One Chicago

Award-winning author Markus Zusak’s novel The Book Thief has been lauded by critics and audiences alike, and loved by readers of all ages around the globe. Through the eloquent and surprisingly sympathetic narrator Death, Zusak introduces us to Liesel Meminger, a young foster girl living outside Munich during World War II. As war shapes the world around her, she finds courage in books and in friendship with a Jewish man whom her foster family shelters in their basement. Author John Green reviewed the book in The New York Times, hailing it as “[b]rilliant” and “achingly sad,” and said of the heroine, “[t]he hope we see in Liesel is unassailable, the kind you can hang on to in the midst of poverty and war and violence.” This October the Chicago Public Library offers rare program opportunities to enhance the reading of this unforgettable novel. In addition to appearances by Markus Zusak on October 22, further offerings include an appearance by Rwandan activist Paul Rusesabagina in conversation with Jerome McDonnell on the atrocities of war, and panel discussions at DePaul University on the “History of Reading” and “The Book as Object.” Lastly, there is a chance to see the novel brought to life at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where the stage adaptation written by Heidi Stillman and directed by Hallie Gordon runs through November. One Book, One Chicago was launched in fall 2001 as an opportunity to engage and enlighten our residents, foster a sense of community and create a culture of reading in our city. By offering free public programming around each One Book, One Chicago selection and hosting dozens of book discussion groups in locations across the city, the Chicago Public Library aims to enrich the experience of reading for everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, income or the neighborhood they call home. For more information visit: http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/onebook_onechgo.php