Second Air Raid on September 19th

It was a time of air raids over Molching, Liesel, the Hubermanns, and the rest of Himmel Street (with the exception of Max, who remained in the Hubermanns' basement) were gathered in the Fiedlers' basement. Panic arose from every where. Children were crying, Frau Holtzapfel yelled at the parents telling them to quiet their children. The basement/shelter was chaotic with frightened people. Liesel at the time was in pain from Rosa Hubermanns hold on her hand. Rosa released her and for comfort Liesel sat down with one of her books and began to read.

"When she turned to page two, it was Rudy who noticed. He paid direct attention to what Liesel was reading, and he tapped his brother and sisters, telling them to all do the same. Hans Hubermann came closer and called out, and soon, a quietness started bleeding through the crowded basement. By page three everyone was silent, but Liesel." (Zusak, 381)

Frau Holtzapfel was very interested in the story Liesel was reading. Liesel managed to comfort all the children with her voice and entertain all the adults with the story. When the raid was over everyone was piling out of the Fiedlers' basement. Hans ran home to tell Max all about what had happened in the shelter. He imagined the girl reading in the shelter, calming everyone with her words.

Frau Holtzapfel's Offer

The next few weeks were air raid free, and life on Himmel Street almost returned to normal. That was, until Frau Holtzapfel came to talk to Liesels mama. She knocked on the door with fierce. Frau Holtzapfel came with an offer for Liesel, but she needed Rosa Hubermann's permission first. They came to an agreement that Liesel would come to Holtzapfel's house Mondays and Fridays at four o'clock to read from Liesels' book, in return Frau Holtzapfel will discontinue to spit on their door everyday, and she would give the Hubermanns her coffee rations.

"She read for fourty-five minutes, and when the chapter was finished, a bag of coffee was deposited on the table. 'Thank you," the woman said. 'It's a good story.' She turned back to the stove and started on some potatoes. Without looking back she said, 'so your still here are you?'" (Zusak, 388)

The only person I've ever had to really comfort in a crisis is my sister, Rachel. All I really do is tell her what a great mom she is, and how she tries really hard to do the best she can. Other than that I allow her to vent to me, and get out all her emotions. It has strengthen our relationship as sisters and now we're best friends.

Works Cited

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Print.