The Book Thief

This week’s film is a war time drama that’s more appropriate for older viewers.

It’s 1938 in Germany when young Liesel is forced to move in with new foster parents. After being bullied at her new school for not being able to read or write, her foster father (Geoffrey Rush) offers to teach her, and she quickly falls in love with books.

But the beginnings of World War II are brewing, Nazis are burning books, and her foster parents are soon hiding a young Jewish man in their basement with whom Liesel shares her love of reading. In turn, he encourages her to write, as the turmoil of the war around them reveals just how powerful words can be.

Based on the popular book of the same name, The Book Thief explores the power of words, and how they can be used to spread either division and hatred, or hope and love. The film is rated PG-13, as it includes some minor language and some intense war time drama that may be distressing for younger viewers.

Runtime: 2 hours, 11 minutes
Rated PG-13
USCCB rating: A-II
IMDb Parents Guide
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