Part 5: The Whistler

The Floating Book Part 1

pgs. 241-242

Oh my! I thought Rudy was going to DIE!!! I was so anxious to turn the page. Thankfully, he didn't die. OH! I also can't believe Death has a heart!! But what a spoiler. I can't believe Rudy is going to die from a bomb. I can't believe it. I cannot believe it. It has to be a lie!!!:( I had to read the page a few times before realizing that Rudy is going two die in two years. Why?!?!?!?!

He'd have been glad to witness her kissing his dusty, bomb- hit lips.

pg. 242

This sentence is... oh I don't know. Powerful isn't enough this time. It is more than that. Dusty, bomb- hit lips. Dusty, bomb- hit lips. It is ringing in my head. I love that. Markus Zusak made it so you get so attached to Rudy. In the book, it says 'how about a kiss? how about a kiss? Poor Rudy.' I can just imagine Liesel and how devastated she will be when he dies. I can't believe it. Rudy is such an amazing character. I guess I'll have to keep reading.

The Gamblers ( A Seven- Sided Die)

pgs. 243- 266

So on the first page of this section, Death says 'We should deal with all of that first, don't you think?' What I was thinking when I read that was 'No'. I now want to know what happens. And then Death says 'It's settled, then. We will.' It is almost like Zusak planned this. I also love the part of the title 'a seven sided die' I think it is really interesting how the last number is seven which is not good. 

First, we will look at 'The Haircut: Mid- April 1941' I loved this part. If I were Max, I would have also picked Liesel over Hans and Rosa. I love when Max says 'as many mistakes as you want' I think it is really cute that he is letting Liesel cut his feathery hair. 

Next, 'The Newspaper: Early May' This part starts out with ' There's a Jew in my basement. There's a Jew. In my basement.' It must be really hard to not tell anyone that. I thought it was interesting that Liesel was offered the book but said no. It seems like she is really getting through books fast. I like that Liesel tries to find a crossword for Max to do everyday. I wonder how Max became so well educated. I also was wondering how 'warm' it is. For us, in Arizona, warm is 90, but I wonder if warm is 60 in Germany. Hmmm. I also love how Max and Liesel paint together.

Now onto 'The Weatherman: Mid- May' This is probably my favorite part of this section. I love how Liesel says ' The sky is blue today, Max, and there is a big long cloud, and it's stretched out, like a rope. At the end of it, the sun is like a yellow hole.' This sounds really cute and kiddish, something I would never be able to come up with. 

Number four 'The Boxer: End of May' This chapter is really interesting. I like the visual that Zusak creates. It is interesting that Max comes up with this. I find it weird that even Max considers himself a rat. A really strong point in this section is when Zusak mentions that Hitler is wearing the Nazi flag on his robe. I love the sentence 'Like red clouds on the white sky canvas at their feet.' It sounds really powerful and gives the reader a strong visual.  I find it ironic that Hitler almost flips around the truth and says that Max is plotting an evil scheme and will ruin the world. Poor Max.

Side number five 'The New Dream: A Few Nights Later' I think that Max starting to daydream is foreshadowing. Maybe Liesel will do this too. We will have to see. The last part is really interesting. 'There's a Jew and a German standing in a basement, right?...' It does sound like a cruel joke.  But it isn't...

'The Painters: Early June' I love the line up of the speech. 'Hi, Liesel.' Max most likely says that. 'Here's a brush, Liesel.' Probably Papa. 'About time, Saumensch. Where have you even so long?' Hmm. Wonder who that could be. Certainly not kind hearted, loving Mama. The Word Shaker. I like that title. I can't wait to see the whole book come together!

And lastly, 'The Showdown: June 24' Germany invades Russia. Britain gets ready to join forces with the Soviets. Seven. That one number. And then Mama with no job. If I were Liesel, I would stop breathing too.  I didn't know Liesel had all that in her. I have no pity for Mrs. Hermann. I never knew words could be so powerful. I can't believe that Liesel tried to tell Mama it was her own fault. She knows it wasn't hers! And then, I find it so sad that Liesel brings the spoons over and says take your pick. How sad.

It was a Monday, and they walked on a tightrope to the sun. 

pg. 249

That is so cute. It is also a great visual. I can just imagine Liesel and Max tightroping on the long cloud all the way to the sun, the big yellow hole. This is a really cute connection and I can't wait to see more of it!

Rudy's Youth

pgs. 267-271

This section confused me a little.  But, we will start at the beginning. 'In the end, she had to give it to him' The kiss? I can't believe Franz Deutsche had Tommy and Rudy do that. I feel bed for Tommy because he can't help that he can't hear. Also, I have heard the saying 'Over my dead body' but I think that is how Rudy is going to get his kiss. I can't wait to keep reading!

Strings of mud clench his face. His tie is pendulum, long dead in its clock. His lemon, lamp- lit hair is disheveled and he wears a sad, absurd. smile.

pg. 267

This little part is called ' A PORTRAIT OF RUDY STEINER: JULY 1941' This really does sound like a portrait. I can see mud clinging on to his face, like Carson after she got hit with the muddy ball in Gaga ball at camp Tontozona. Next, I like that Zusak says lemon, lamp- lit hair. I can see lemon stained hair, lit faintly by a lamp. This whole paragraph is really powerful.

The Losers

pgs. 272- 276

Wow! Viktor Chemmel seems REALLY POWERFUL. I think that this section is foreshadowing what will happen in later chapters. He seems to have a really high target. It must almost be like a job to him, stealing all those apples and potatoes. Viktor seems a little too sure of himself, though. When he says '...it's time to go shopping...' it sounds so pathetic because he is trying to sound cool.

Unless you want me to turn that blood into a fountain, I suggest you go away, little boy.

pg. 176

Yikes! That is a really harsh threat. I find it kind of ironic that Viktor calls Rudy a little boy, yet he is barely older than him. It seems like Viktor is really overpowering everyone else. I liked Arthur A LOT more.

Sketches

pgs. 277- 281

I love this section! I love Max's drawings. He seems to not only be well educated, but an amazing artist too. The second page of drawings looks really gruesome. I wonder if it is foreshadowing something or what is referring to. 

I also wanted to point out that there are some really interesting metaphors. For example, the burning hot sun is the Nazi flag. Also, Hitler is the conductor. Why? It seems like Max puts a lot  thought behind his sketches

A painted book. A handful of pencils. A mindful of thoughts. Like a simple puzzle, he put them together.

pg. 277

This sounds really cool and innovative. First, you have the white pages. Next, you have a small pile of pencils. Lastly, you have a brain full of stories, thoughts, and ideas from experience. This on its own was really powerful, but then Zusak added 'like a simple puzzle, he put them together.' This really seals the deal. That really brings the three supplies together. I love that metaphor. 

The Whistler and The Shoes

pgs. 282-292

First, I love when Death says 'Rudy did his best to survive the Hitler Youth' It really fits Rudy. But, that is gross! He had to do drills in the manure. And then, I was laughing when he said to Liesel 'Could you stop saying that?!' 

I think it is really interesting that of all things, she decides to steal the book from the mayors house. Not all the food that they might have or the valuable items in the house; She had to steal the book. Only to prove a point. She is turning into Rudy! 

Wow! Liesel and Rudy barely escaped! Poor Rudy, he forgets the shoes. And then he knows he won't get a kiss for going back but he hints anyways. And then Liesel brings up the hilarious point that he fetched the shoes. The shoes he left behind. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Thee Acts of Stupidity By Rudy Steiner

pgs. 293- 299

Wow Rudy! Good job! You are a 'Pure Genius' as Death says. First of all, why would you try to steal the biggest potato? It would be a little smarter to not steal the biggest, most notable one and steal a normal size one. I think that he really could have gotten away with it if he had stolen a smaller one.  I can't believe that Mamer didn't let hi have it. A teacher even said that he was poor and hungry and he still didn't get the potato.

Next, the fight with Franz Deutscher. It seems like Rudy is too sure of himself yet again. I could not stop laughing when Franz Deutscher asked when Hitler was born, Rudy, as smart as he is, says December 25 and he didn't stop there, he also said he was born in Bethlehem.  I was wondering what Rudy has against Franz Deutscher. And then, he throughs a rock at him. Why Rudy? Why should you do that? Liesel, being smart offers up the smart idea of running, but no. He has to fight. I was grossed out with the gruesome description of the black eye. It sounds like it really hurt.

Now to the last stupid act, skipping the meetings. This one actually benefited him. I think he will do a lot better in this new division. Especially because there is no Franz Deutscher to boss him around. 

She knew nobody who actually paid for a haircut.

pg. 298

This is hilarious! It is really true though. I wish that was true now. Anyways, the only two haircuts she's seen are Max and Rudy. And she gave one of the haircuts. Lucky Liesel. I wish I were her.

The Floating Book Part 2

pgs. 300- 303

Well, luckily they dodged whats-his-face but they sure didn't dodge Viktor. What stinks is that Liesel kept giving stuff away. But why in the world would he want 50 marks for it. That is not what I call revenge. Especially since it turned into a bit of a victory for Rudy. 

I also was annoyed that Viktor talks about Jesse Owens just to agitate Rudy. I also couldn't believe that he through the book off the bridge. All to for himself to know that he got revenge on Rudy for spitting. 

How about a kiss, Saumensch?

pg. 303

Really?! This is coming to be like a daily routine. I agree with Death that in truth Rudy was afraid of the book thief's kiss. He is wanted it for so long (two-ish years) that now he is kind of scared to get it. Can't wait to see what happens next selection!