Page 296 - The Book Thief

voice.

Tell me, Viktor said. Who was the last Olympic discus champion, in Berlin? He
turned to face them. He warmed up his arm. Who was it? Goddamn it, its on the
tip of my tongue. It was that American, wasnt it? Carpenter or something . . .

Please!Rudy.

The water toppled.

Viktor Chemmel did the spin.

The book was released gloriously from his hand. It opened and flapped, the
pages rattling as it covered ground in the air. More abruptly than expected, it
stopped and appeared to be sucked toward the water. It clapped when it hit the
surface and began to float downstream.

Viktor shook his head. Not enough height. A poor throw. He smiled again. But
still good enough to win, huh?

Liesel and Rudy didnt stick around to hear the laughter.

Rudy in particular had taken off down the riverbank, attempting to locate the
book.

Can you see it? Liesel called out.

Rudy ran.

He continued down the waters edge, showing her the books location. Over there!

He stopped and pointed and ran farther down to overtake it. Soon, he peeled off
his coat and jumped in, wading to the middle of the river.

Liesel, slowing to a walk, could see the ache of each step. The painful cold.

When she was close enough, she saw it move past him, but he soon caught up.
His hand reached in and collared what was now a soggy block of cardboard and
paper. The Whistler! the boy called out. It was the only book floating down the
Amper River that day, but he still felt the need to announce it.