The Book Thief is an easy read that I was unable to put down. The characters are well developed and the book paints such a vivid picture, you feel as if you are there, on Himmel street, with Leisel, Rudy and their families. I feel this book deserved more hype than it got, but then again--I think 2007 was around the time the Twilight books gained popularity for Young Adult readers--'nuf said. I would give this book 100 stars if I could, I will never forget this one.