The Book Thief: Part Three–Part Four

by Markus Zusak
Liesel Meminger is a foster child living in Nazi Germany in 1939. Surrounded by violence, hardship, and war, Liesel is watched over by Death, who narrates her story.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Prologue–Part Two, Part Three–Part Four, Part Five–Part Six, Part Seven–Part Nine, Part Ten–Epilogue
15 words 5829 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. affability
    a disposition to be friendly and approachable
    With typical affability, Hans replied, “Nothing, my good man, nothing at all. Heil Hitler,” and he walked down Munich Street, holding the pages of the Führer.
  2. euphoric
    characterized by a feeling of well-being or elation
    Eleven-year-old relief was euphoric.
  3. surreal
    resembling a dream
    The surreal experience with the roomful of books and the stunned, broken woman walked alongside her.
  4. transcend
    go beyond the scope or limits of
    A good hiding transcends the divides of age.
  5. diabolical
    showing cunning or ingenuity or wickedness
    After approximately fifteen minutes, the diabolical plan bore its fruit, so to speak.
  6. incongruous
    lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
    Fritz Hammer and Andy Schmeikl wanted to keep it, but Arthur Berg, showing his incongruous moral aptitude, had a better idea.
  7. perspective
    a way of regarding situations or topics
    He’d been in the fight for almost six months when he ended up in France, where, at face value, a strange event saved his life. Another perspective would suggest that in the nonsense of war, it made perfect sense.
  8. ostracism
    the state of being banished or excluded
    It was the accordion that most likely spared him from total ostracism.
  9. proffer
    present for acceptance or rejection
    Kugler proffered a warning.
  10. emulate
    strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
    Walter was always seeking revenge for that first victory Max took from him, and Max was looking to emulate his moment of glory.
  11. callous
    emotionally hardened
    “For starters,” he said, “I will take each and everyone of your books — and I will burn them.” It was callous. “I’ll throw them in the stove or the fireplace.”
  12. mortified
    made to feel uncomfortable because of shame or wounded pride
    The very idea of it mortified him.
  13. tentatively
    in a hesitant manner
    She walked tentatively down the steps, knowing that no words were required.
  14. emaciated
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
    Slowly then, the drop sheets were dragged aside and the emaciated body and face of Max Vandenburg appeared.
  15. propaganda
    information that is spread to promote some cause
    A blatant lie — he had nothing to give, except maybe Mein Kampf, and there was no way he’d give such propaganda to a young German girl.
Created on Tue Feb 26 18:47:47 EST 2013 (updated Wed Jun 25 14:16:42 EDT 2025)

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