Markus Zusak's the Book Thief: WWII, Social Studies, Literature Book Study for High School

This course is discussion based, focusing on Markus Zusak's book "The Book Thief." Learners will need to have their own copy of the book. Learners are encouraged to contribute to class through group discussions, asking questions, participating in kahoot review games, and giving short reflections on the readings. 

We will meet for 4 classes. In each class we will look at the history of real-life events as they align with the story. For example, the book begins in January 1939, so we will look at events in Germany and the world, prior to 1939, and understand in what state the world was in by the beginning of the book. We will also look at a specific book character or group of characters in each class, and we will connect and compare these fictional characters to similar real-life people who lived in Germany during the War. 

For homework, I will assign essay/paragraph responses, research and public presentations, and a creative project. While I will review learner’s work for comprehension and participation, and offer commentary, I do not give letter or percentage grades. Sessions may include games such as Kahoot, Jeopardy or other engaging activities as time allows.

Here is a breakdown of each class session:

Class 1: 
Readings: Prologue- Part III (your learner would need to read these sections prior to attending our session.) 

History discussion: We will look at events in Germany and the world, prior to 1939, and understand in what state the world was in by January 1939. We will also look at the lives of people living in Hitler’s Germany. 

Reading discussion and character examination: We will talk about themes and events discussed in the readings and talk about the characters Liesel Memminger and Rudy Steiner. We will then see an example of a real-life Liesel. 

Homework: Before meeting for class 02, I will assign a writing project on a social studies topic for your learner to complete. For citing sources, we will briefly go over the Chicago style of citation. This citation style is used by historians, politicians, and philosophers, and is important to be aware of. [More details will be given on the assignment in class.] 


Class 2: 
Readings: Part IV- Part VI 
History discussion: We will look briefly at the outbreak of WWII, but we will primarily look at the Holocaust, why it happened and how, what were some of the biggest camps, who worked there, etc. (*This is a tough subject and may be distressing for learners. In my PowerPoints I include pictures of concentration camps and nazi officials. While I make a conscious effort not to show dead bodies, or other such graphic, or grotesque, images, it’s important to understand that this subject may be distressing and some images may contain violence or demonstrate prejudices.*) 

Reading discussion and character examination: We will talk about themes and events discussed in the readings and talk about the character Max Vandenburg. We will then see an example of a real-life Max.  

Homework: A creative project such as artistic rendering, collage board, etc. [More details will be given on the assignment in class.]


Class 3: 
Readings: Part VII- Part VIII 

History discussion: We will look at events like the Invasion of the Soviet Union, the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and other big military events happening in the war. 

Reading discussion and character examination: We will talk about themes and events discussed in the readings and talk about the characters Hans and Rosa Huberman. We will then see an example of them from real-life

Homework: I will ask your learner to pick a paragraph or page from the readings, to read-aloud and present in the next class. I would like them to read the passage aloud in the session, and explain why they picked it and how it is important to the story and/or the story’s themes. 


Class 4: 
Readings: Part IX- Epilogue

History discussion: We will look at how the war ended and what happened to Germany in the years after the war. (i.e.: Being divided among the allies, split between West and East, and the East coming under control of the USSR.)  

Reading discussion and character examination: We will talk about themes and events discussed in the readings and talk about the book’s narrator, Death. 

Homework: Another writing assignment on a social studies topic, this time using MLA citation style. MLA is a popular citation style used by Journalists and researchers. More detail on this citation style will be given in class. This assignment should be submitted by midnight EST of May 7.