Book Review of The Book Thief

The Book Thief By Markus Zusak 576 pages. Knopf Books for Young Readers, c2007. $9.59

This book came to me highly recommended.  It's a Book Sense Book of the Year (2006)Award winner!  Everywhere I look there is nothing but glowing praise for this book.  I, however, did not particularly like this book.The narrator is Death.  What a fascinating idea!  The humor and imagery were amazing.  The writing was interesting, intense and unique.  But, it is another WWII story about a little poor girl in Germany.  You know how it's going to end...nothing but tears.Perhaps if I hadn't already read the Diary of Anne Frank, I would have enjoyed this better.  Maybe I'll even recommend this book to my kids instead of the Diary.  But, probably not.  It just lacks the realism that Anne Frank had to offer. While this book is excellent in form, it is not one I recommend - unless of course you feel like a good cry.