What is the value to reading The Book Thief?

I think beyond the emotional power, the great history lesson and the unique narrator there remains the power of books. What an incredible theme. In the midst of the horrors of WW2 and Hitler's genocide, Liesel discovers the power of the written word. It is a story that uses the written word as a theme to tie in all kinds of other themes and ideas that make us human. At times Zusak makes us embarrassed to be human and at other times, he makes us feel proud. Yes, this is an excellent book.