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The characters in The Book Thief rely on words to compel others and find meaning in life, reflecting the power that words have to unite people as well as divide them.

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“Then they discovered she couldn't read or write. Humiliatingly, she was cast down with the younger kids, who were only just learning the alphabet" (39).

When Liesel first arrives at Himmel Street, she has no words and therefore no power. She is illiterate with absolutely no knowledge of how words can be strung together to create powerful messages. Liesel’s inability to read represents her overall vulnerability at this stage in her life. She has just lost her family and is in a brand new town with no friends and strange foster parents. She has very little knowledge about her own situation and no power to make her life any better which is reflected in her illiteracy. As Liesel begins to understand the power of words, she uses them to shape her life to focus on the good.

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“Papa would say a word and the girl would have to spell it aloud and then paint it on the wall, as long as she got it right” (72).

Words create a beautiful and loving relationship between Liesel and her Papa. Neither one has great skill in reading or writing when Liesel first comes to Himmel Street. They are both scared of how the other will change their lives. This fear is slowly assuaged as the two grew closer and they learn to read and write together. When Papa first discovers Liesel’s book The Grave Digger’s Handbook, he does not reprimand her for having the stolen item. He uses the book as an opportunity for the two to bond. As they slowly make their way through the book, Hans also teaches Liesel how to write and spell words. These skills will become very empowering for Liesel later in her life, but for now they give her one of the most vital things in her life -- an affectionate relationship with her Papa, Hans Hubermann.

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“‘And what trash is this girl reading? She should be reading Mein Kampf” (105).

Liesel quickly learns that along with being beautiful and empowering, words can be used to inspire hatred and fear. The tools Hitler uses to seize control of Germany were violence and words. Mein Kampf (My Struggle) is Hitler’s autobiography that is widely read in Nazi Germany to show support for the Führer. Aside from his autobiography, Hitler also uses speeches and propaganda to create an atmosphere of hatred towards non-Germans, in particular Jews. Although this hatred spreads like wildfire throughout Germany, many Germans refuse to comply with the Nazi hostility. Hans Hubermann is one of these kind-hearted Germans who does not let the words of hatred stop him from being a good man. Liesel learns from his example and does not let words of hate ruin her good heart.

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“There were the erased pages of Mein Kampf, gagging, suffocating under the paint as they turned.” (237).

When Max first arrives at the Hubermann household, he is even more helpless and vulnerable than Liesel was. Despite his horrible situation, Max is able to use words to develop a friendship with Liesel as they first bond over sharing their nightmares with each other. Their friendship is solidified when Max gives Liesel a book for her twelfth birthday. He does not give her an ordinary book; he gives her his own story that he has transcribed onto the painted over pages of Hitler’s Mein Kampf. This action symbolizes  Max’s harsh life. He has struggled more than any other character in the novel, making his story much more suitable for the title “My Struggle” than the Führer's story. Furthermore, he, a Jew, has covered and written over Hitler's words of hatred towards Jews. Max has used his words to replace a story of hatred with a story of overcoming adversity and finding true friendship in Liesel.

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“It was when Liesel came down, however, that Max found himself most interested in life again. Initially, he tried to resist, but it was harder every day that the girl appeared, each time with a new weather report, either of a pure blue sky, cardboard clouds, or a sun that had broken through like God sitting down after he had eaten too much for his dinner” (250).

Max and Liesel’s friendship grows with the power of words. Everyday, Max asks Liesel to give him a weather report -- to describe what the day is like outside of the cramped basement he is confined to. Max is captivated by Liesel’s simple but brilliant descriptions. She offers him a glimpse of the outside world. Her words make him value life again and give him hope. When Max is in a coma and is almost taken by Death, Liesel continues to read and describe the weather to him as he lies unconscious in the basement. Liesel and Max use their words to create a refuge for themselves in the hatred that fills Nazi Germany. Their words are powerful carriers of joy in a time when joy is scarce.

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“She didn't dare look up, but she could feel their frightened eyes hanging on to her as she hauled the words in and breathed them out. A voice played the notes inside her. This, it said, is your accordion.

The sound of the turning page carved them in half.

Liesel read on” (381).

Liesel’s stories soothe her neighbors as they wait out the terrifying air raids. She is able to distract them from the horrible reality of war just as her whether reports distracted Max in the basement. Liesel’s words have become so effective at comforting others that Frau Holtzapfel now pays Liesel to come read to her in the afternoons. Liesel has become proficient at at reading; she is no longer the vulnerable, illiterate girl who first arrived at Himmel Street. She now uses stories to empower those around her. She understands the power that words possess -- both good and bad, and she uses her words for good.

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"The words. Why did they have to exist? Without them, there wouldn’t be any of this. Without words, the Führer was nothing. There would be no limping prisoners, no need for consolation or wordly tricks to make up feel better. What good were the words?" (521).

Liesel reflects back on all that she has witnessed. She has watched Death take away her family, Hitler spread the hatred of Nazism through Germany, and war destroy hope. Liesel understands that in the same way words brought her hope, they allowed Hitler to spread hatred. She sees the power these words hold. She understands how good and how evil they can be. It is up to the speaker, the writer, and the reader to decide how to use the power of words.