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Liesel Meminger is adopted by a German couple in 1938 when her mother cannot look after her. She
settles into her new life in Berlin. She learns to read and makes friends with Rudi, the boy next door.
But Nazi ideology begins affecting life around her. Hitler’s portrait hangs in her school. One night,
all of the shops run by Jews have their windows smashed and people are being taken away. Liesel
is taken to a book burning, and begins to understand what the Nazis believe in. Then one day, Max
arrives. He is a Jew and he is in danger.
Some suggested questions are provided below to help start a discussion following the lm
screening. Some basic information is provided under each question to help you facilitate the
discussion.
Who do you think is narrating the lm? How does that make you feel?
Death is narrating the lm. This is an unusual choice. Several characters in the story die, and it is
set during World War Two and the Holocaust, when millions of people were being killed.
What examples did you see of Nazi images in Liesel’s school? Why were they there?
A portrait of Hitler and swastikas. Children were taught Nazi ideology from an early age in
Germany, as the Nazis wanted them to grow up supporting them.
What was happening when the windows were smashed? What was the name given to this night?
Why did the lm put images of this violence over the song the children were singing?
All the Jewish shops and businesses were vandalised, and Jewish people were attacked. 91 Jews
were murdered. It is known as ‘Kristallnacht’ – the night of broken glass. By hearing the children
sing, the connection is made between the discrimination they are being taught and the violence
that is happening.
Who is Jesse Owens? Why was Rudi told off for idolising him?
Jesse Owens was a black American athlete, who won medals at the Berlin Olympics in 1938. The
Nazis discriminated against black people, so Rudi was not allowed to publicly say he liked him.
The Book Thief
Certicate: 12A / Length: 2 hours
Discussion questions
The Book Thief
HMD lm screening and discussion
A lm screening and discussion is an engaging way to mark
Holocaust Memorial Day with your youth group, school or university.
You could combine this with a minute of silence or a candle lighting
as an act of remembrance.
The Book Thief focuses on the experiences of a family in Nazi Germany.
Young people will learn about the history of Nazi Germany and also
have lots to discuss from the story. The DVD was released in 2013, so it
is widely accessible, and may even be available to loan from your local
library.
Why were they burning books?
The books were written by Jews, and people who disagreed with the Nazis. The idea was to rid
Germany of these ideas, so people wouldn’t have access to alternative world views. The Nazis
wanted to control everyone in the country, and make them agree with them.
Liesel’s mother is described as a ‘communist’. What does this mean, and why is it important to
the story?
The communists were political opponents of the Nazis, and were attacked and imprisoned. Liesel’s
mother can’t look after her anymore because she is in danger. Liesel realises ‘Hitler took her
mother away’ which motivates her resistance.
Max talks about his religion. What does this mean for him?
Max is Jewish, which means he is persecuted by the Nazis. The Nazis wanted to kill all of the
Jews in Europe. Talking about his religion brings him comfort and helps him to keep his identity,
even in times of great danger.
Why does Max leave?
If he stays, the family will be in danger. People who were discovered hiding or helping Jews
would have been taken with them to concentration camps, where they would either live in awful
conditions, or be murdered. The danger of discovery is higher after the policeman takes Hans’
name.
Who are the people with yellow stars on their clothes marching through town? What is
happening to them?
Jews were forced to wear yellow stars on their clothes. The Nazis have rounded them up and are
taking them to concentration camps. This is where we see the reality of the Holocaust becoming
more visible in the lives of German Jews.
How do we see the ‘ugliness and beauty of humans’ throughout the lm?
Ugliness: The Nazi soldiers treating people badly because of who they are. Ordinary people
having to live in fear. The book burning. The Nazi speech and songs. The violence of Kristallnacht.
Franz – the bully from the Hitler Youth who has been given power over the other children. The
shopkeeper being taken away because they suspect him of being Jewish.
Beauty: The Ubermann family’s resistance against the Nazis. Their decision to take in Liesel and
hide Max. Hans teaching Liesel to read, and the rich lady giving her access to books. Liesel’s use
of storytelling to make people happy. Liesel’s friendships with Rudi and Max.
The Holocaust was a tragedy for humanity – six million Jewish men, women and children were
murdered by the Nazis. Many other groups such as black people, communists, gay people,
disabled people, Roma and Sinti and others were also targeted and murdered under Nazi
Persecution. Acts of resistance and rescue, like we saw in the lm, took place across Europe, and
saved the lives of many people.
When a government attempts to destroy a group for who they are, this is called genocide.
Genocides have taken place around the world since the Holocaust, and continue happening today.
We all have a responsibility to challenge discrimination and prejudice in society, whenever we
see or hear it taking place. We know where it can lead. That is why we learn and remember on
Holocaust Memorial Day.
Let us know about your HMD activity by visiting hmd.org.uk/letusknow
Summary
Other lms
You may want to choose a different lm to screen, or hold a second lm screening and discussion.
Some more lms are suggested here, and there are questions below that could be used to discuss
any of these lms.
Sarah’s Key – Certicate 12. This lm shares what happened to the Jews during the Holocaust.
It is told through the story of a young girl who is taken from her home. She is desperate to survive
and escape to rescue her little brother. This story is interwoven with a modern day journalist
investigating this story. It is set in France so is partially subtitled.
Denial - Rated 12A. This lm is based on the trial in which Deborah Lipstadt, a Holocaust
academic, is sued by Holocaust denier David Irving. Deborah and her legal team must prove that
Irving lied about the Holocaust having never taken place.
Another Mother’s Son - Certicate 12. A lm set in Jersey during the time it was occupied by the
Nazis. It tells the true story of Louisa Gould, who took in and hid a Russian prisoner of war in an
attempt to save his life. You can read more about Louisa Gould at hmd.org.uk/louisa.
First They Killed My Father – Certicate 15. Directed by Angelina Jolie, this lm follows the story
of Loung Ung, who was 5 years old when the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia. Her family
are forced from their home with the rest of the population, and endure forced labour, being trained
as child soldiers, and the constant threat of death.
General questions
What do we learn about the Holocaust or genocide through this lm?
Why is it important to learn about these events in history?
What parts of the lm did you nd memorable? Why?
What moral or ethical issues were raised by the lm? What are your opinions on these issues?
How were people shown doing awful things in the lm? What made them behave like this?
How were people shown to be doing good in the lm? Why did they make that decision?
Have you been inspired to learn more or take an action as a result of seeing this lm?
If you need any help or support in running this activity, please contact Jessica at
hmd.org.uk
@hmd_uk
hmd.uk
hmdtyouth
Learning from genocide - for a better future
Find out more...
HMDT Youth programmes: hmd.org.uk/youth
