Page 426 - The Book Thief

Rudy Steiner, her best friend, handed out the pieces of bread on the road. When

they were finished, they took their bikes and hid among the Christmas trees.

The road was cold and straight. It wasnt long till the soldiers came with the
Jews.

In the tree shadows, Liesel watched the boy. How things had changed, from fruit
stealer to bread giver. His blond hair, although darkening, was like a candle. She
heard his stomach growland he was giving people bread.

Was this Germany?

Was this Nazi Germany?

The first soldier did not see the breadhe was not hungrybut the first Jew saw it.

His ragged hand reached down and picked a piece up and shoved it deliriously to

his mouth.

Is that Max? Liesel thought.

She could not see properly and moved to get a better view.

Hey! Rudy was livid. Dont move. If they find us here and match us to the bread,
were history.

Liesel continued.

More Jews were bending down and taking bread from the road, and from the
edge of the trees, the book thief examined each and every one of them. Max

Vandenburg was not there.

Relief was short-lived.

It stirred itself around her just as one of the soldiers noticed a prisoner drop a
hand to the ground. Everyone was ordered to stop. The road was closely
examined. The prisoners chewed as fast and silently as they could. Collectively,
they gulped.