The Book Thief

Main Characters and Their Development

• Liesel Meminger: The main protagonist of the book, a young girl who becomes a book thief. She faces many hardships, including the loss of her family and life in Nazi Germany. Liesel finds solace in books and learns to read with the help of her foster father. She evolves from an illiterate girl to a passionate reader and writer, finding in words a way to cope with the horrors of war.
• Hans Hubermann: Liesel's foster father, a kind and patient man. He teaches Liesel to read and becomes a true father figure to her. Hans shows bravery by hiding the Jewish man Max in his home, and his kindness and humanity have a profound impact on Liesel.
• Rosa Hubermann: Liesel's foster mother, a strict and stern woman with a good heart. Despite her gruffness, Rosa deeply cares for her family and shows great resilience in difficult times. Her character softens as the story progresses, and she becomes an important figure in Liesel's life.
• Max Vandenburg: The Jewish man hidden by the Hubermanns. Max becomes a close friend to Liesel, and their friendship helps them both cope with the horrors of war. Max shares his stories and dreams with Liesel, helping her understand the power of words and imagination.
• Rudy Steiner: Liesel's best friend and neighbor. Rudy is an energetic and brave boy who is in love with Liesel. He supports her in tough times and shares many adventures with her. His death is one of the most tragic moments in the book.