Bismarck State College Library begins its annual BookTalk series of literary discussions on Sunday, Jan. 5, with Markus Zusak's "The Book Thief." The discussion is open to all.
In this 15th year, BookTalk explores a "Light a Fire Within" theme inspired by the words of Victor Hugo – "To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark."
Janelle Masters, BSC dean of academic affairs, leads the first session from 1 to 3 p.m. in the library.
Set in Nazi Germany, "The Book Thief" concerns Liesel, an illiterate girl orphaned when her brother dies on their way to a foster home. At the funeral, she takes a book as a remembrance, establishing a behavior seen throughout the story narrated by Death, a busy specter during a time of WWII escalation. With help from her foster father, Liesel learns to read and shares her stolen books with neighbors during bombing raids and a Jewish man hidden in her basement.
First published in 2005, the book has won numerous awards and was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list for more than 230 weeks. In 2013, "The Book Thief" was adapted into a film starring Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nélisse, who won a Satellite Award for best breakthrough performance as Liesel.
Zusak has asserted himself as one of today's most innovative and poetic novelists. With the publication of "The Book Thief," he earned praise as a "literary phenomenon" from Australian and U.S. critics. Zusak is the award-winning author of four previous books for young adults, including the international bestseller, "I Am the Messenger." Among his many awards is the 2006 Printz Honor in America for excellence in young adult literature. He lives in Sydney, Australia.
Books for the series are available at local libraries and booksellers. Refreshments will be available during the discussion. BookTalk is funded by the BSC Library and a grant from the BSC Foundation. For more information, call the BSC Library at 224-5450 or visit bismarckstate.edu.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.
In this 15th year, BookTalk explores a "Light a Fire Within" theme inspired by the words of Victor Hugo – "To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark."
Janelle Masters, BSC dean of academic affairs, leads the first session from 1 to 3 p.m. in the library.
Set in Nazi Germany, "The Book Thief" concerns Liesel, an illiterate girl orphaned when her brother dies on their way to a foster home. At the funeral, she takes a book as a remembrance, establishing a behavior seen throughout the story narrated by Death, a busy specter during a time of WWII escalation. With help from her foster father, Liesel learns to read and shares her stolen books with neighbors during bombing raids and a Jewish man hidden in her basement.
First published in 2005, the book has won numerous awards and was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list for more than 230 weeks. In 2013, "The Book Thief" was adapted into a film starring Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nélisse, who won a Satellite Award for best breakthrough performance as Liesel.
Zusak has asserted himself as one of today's most innovative and poetic novelists. With the publication of "The Book Thief," he earned praise as a "literary phenomenon" from Australian and U.S. critics. Zusak is the award-winning author of four previous books for young adults, including the international bestseller, "I Am the Messenger." Among his many awards is the 2006 Printz Honor in America for excellence in young adult literature. He lives in Sydney, Australia.
Books for the series are available at local libraries and booksellers. Refreshments will be available during the discussion. BookTalk is funded by the BSC Library and a grant from the BSC Foundation. For more information, call the BSC Library at 224-5450 or visit bismarckstate.edu.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.