Page 44 - The Book Thief

window, as was often his habit. He left school in fourth grade.

Without turning around, Papa answered calmly, but with venom, Well, dont ask
her, either. He dropped some ash outside. She left school in third grade.

There were no books in the house (apart from the one she had secreted under her
mattress), and the best Liesel could do was speak the alphabet under her breath
before she was told in no uncertain terms to keep quiet. All that mumbling. It
wasnt until later, when there was a bed-wetting incident midnightmare, that an
extra reading education began. Unofficially, it was called the midnight class,
even though it usually commenced at around two in the morning. More of that
soon. In mid-February, when she turned ten, Liesel was given a used doll that
had a missing leg and yellow hair.

It was the best we could do, Papa apologized.

What are you talking about? Shes lucky to have that much, Mama corrected him.

Hans continued his examination of the remaining leg while Liesel tried on her
new uniform. Ten years old meant Hitler Youth. Hitler Youth meant a small
brown uniform. Being female, Liesel was enrolled into what was called the
BDM.

EXPLANATION OF THE
ABBREVIATION
It stood for Bund Deutscher Mdchen
Band of German Girls.

The first thing they did there was make sure your heil Hitler was working
properly. Then you were taught to march straight, roll bandages, and sew up
clothes. You were also taken hiking and on other such activities. Wednesday and
Saturday were the designated meeting days, from three in the afternoon until
five.

Each Wednesday and Saturday, Papa would walk Liesel there and pick her up