The Book Thief

why did Liesel steal books

what was her purpose

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Liesel steals a number of books throughout the novel. The first one she steals is the "The Gravedigger's Handbook". Liesel discovers the power of the written word and becomes a voracious reader. Each book she steals is also an act of rebellion against the Nazis; they are books deemed subversive to the German state. Each book Liesel steals also has a meaning to what she is going through at the moment. So, for example, Liesel steals the "The Gravedigger's Handbook" because her little brother has just been buried.