Activity Overview
Having students choose a favorite quote or scene from a book allows them to express which parts of the story resonated with them on a personal level. In this way, students are making a text-to-self connection that demonstrates their understanding of the characters and their development or the themes of the novel. Students can share their storyboards afterwards and have a short discussion about what the quotes mean to them.
Some students may end up choosing the same quote, but have different perspectives. This is always interesting for students to see and can open up a discussion as to how not everyone can read the same lines in the same way based on their own perspectives and personal experiences.
Examples of Quotes from The Book Thief
"I witness the ones that are left behind, crumbled among the jigsaw puzzles of realization, despair, and surprise. They have punctured hearts. They have beaten lungs."
"There was a chaos of goodbye."
"Still in disbelief, she started to dig. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't."
"The road of yellow stars."
"How could he show up and ask people to risk their lives for him? How could he be so selfish?"
"To live. Living was living. The price was guilt and shame."
"The suffering faces of depleted men and women reached across to them, pleading not so much for help, but for an explanation. Just something to subdue this confusion."
"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."
"Last note from your narrator: I am haunted by humans."
He'd have been glad to witness her kissing his dusty, bomb-hit lips. Yes, I know it. In the darkness of my dark-beating heart, I know. He'd have loved it, all right. You see? Even death has a heart."
"That afternoon, in the secret ground below 33 Himmel Street, the Hubermanns, Liesel Meminger, and Max Vandenburg prepared the pages of The Word Shaker. It felt good to be a painter."
"The words. Why did they have to exist? Without them, there wouldn't be any of this. Without words, the fuhrer was nothing. There would be no limping prisoners, no need for consolation or worldly tricks to make us feel better. What good were the words?"
"Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes."
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies your favorite quote or scene in The Book Thief. Illustrate your quote and write what it means to you.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a favorite quote or scene from The Book Thief.
- Create an image that represents this quote using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- In the description box, write the quote and at least one sentence about what this quote means to you.
Requirements: Quote, illustration, 1-2 sentences about what it means to you.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The explanation of what the quote means to the student is clear and at least two sentences. | The explanation of what the quote means to the student can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The explanation of what the quote means to the student is unclear and is not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustration represents the quote or explanation using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustration relates to the quote or explanation, but is difficult to understand. | The illustration does not clearly relate to the quote or the explanation. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Having students choose a favorite quote or scene from a book allows them to express which parts of the story resonated with them on a personal level. In this way, students are making a text-to-self connection that demonstrates their understanding of the characters and their development or the themes of the novel. Students can share their storyboards afterwards and have a short discussion about what the quotes mean to them.
Some students may end up choosing the same quote, but have different perspectives. This is always interesting for students to see and can open up a discussion as to how not everyone can read the same lines in the same way based on their own perspectives and personal experiences.
Examples of Quotes from The Book Thief
"I witness the ones that are left behind, crumbled among the jigsaw puzzles of realization, despair, and surprise. They have punctured hearts. They have beaten lungs."
"There was a chaos of goodbye."
"Still in disbelief, she started to dig. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't."
"The road of yellow stars."
"How could he show up and ask people to risk their lives for him? How could he be so selfish?"
"To live. Living was living. The price was guilt and shame."
"The suffering faces of depleted men and women reached across to them, pleading not so much for help, but for an explanation. Just something to subdue this confusion."
"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."
"Last note from your narrator: I am haunted by humans."
He'd have been glad to witness her kissing his dusty, bomb-hit lips. Yes, I know it. In the darkness of my dark-beating heart, I know. He'd have loved it, all right. You see? Even death has a heart."
"That afternoon, in the secret ground below 33 Himmel Street, the Hubermanns, Liesel Meminger, and Max Vandenburg prepared the pages of The Word Shaker. It felt good to be a painter."
"The words. Why did they have to exist? Without them, there wouldn't be any of this. Without words, the fuhrer was nothing. There would be no limping prisoners, no need for consolation or worldly tricks to make us feel better. What good were the words?"
"Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes."
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies your favorite quote or scene in The Book Thief. Illustrate your quote and write what it means to you.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a favorite quote or scene from The Book Thief.
- Create an image that represents this quote using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- In the description box, write the quote and at least one sentence about what this quote means to you.
Requirements: Quote, illustration, 1-2 sentences about what it means to you.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The explanation of what the quote means to the student is clear and at least two sentences. | The explanation of what the quote means to the student can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The explanation of what the quote means to the student is unclear and is not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustration represents the quote or explanation using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustration relates to the quote or explanation, but is difficult to understand. | The illustration does not clearly relate to the quote or the explanation. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about The Book Thief Quote Connection Activity
Encourage Meaningful Class Discussions on Students’ Chosen Quotes
Foster student engagement by inviting learners to share their favorite quotes and personal connections in small groups or as a class. This builds confidence, deepens understanding, and helps students see multiple perspectives on the same text.
Set Clear Guidelines for Respectful Sharing
Establish expectations for listening and responding during discussions. Remind students to respect each other’s interpretations and support their ideas with evidence from the text.
Model Thoughtful Responses to Quotes
Demonstrate how to connect a quote to personal experience or character development. Share your own example first so students see how to provide meaningful, text-based insights.
Use Sentence Starters to Guide Discussion
Provide prompts like “This quote reminds me of…”, “I chose this because…”, or “This makes me think about…”. Structured starters help all students participate, especially those who may be unsure what to say.
Celebrate Diverse Interpretations
Highlight how students can read the same quote in different ways. Encourage open-mindedness and curiosity about others’ perspectives to create a richer classroom discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Book Thief Quote Connection Activity
What is the Book Thief Quote Connection Activity?
The Book Thief Quote Connection Activity is a lesson where students select a favorite quote or scene from the novel The Book Thief and illustrate it. They then write a brief explanation of what the quote means to them, fostering text-to-self connections and deeper understanding of the story's themes and characters.
How do I guide students to choose meaningful quotes from The Book Thief?
Encourage students to pick quotes that resonate personally or highlight important moments, themes, or character development. Ask them to consider which parts of the story made them think, feel, or reflect, and to explain their choices in their own words.
Why is connecting personally to book quotes valuable for middle school students?
Personal connections help students engage more deeply with literature. Reflecting on quotes encourages empathy, critical thinking, and self-awareness, making reading more relevant and meaningful to their own lives.
What are some example quotes from The Book Thief for students to use?
Examples include: "I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right," and "Last note from your narrator: I am haunted by humans." You can provide several options or let students find their own favorites.
What should students include in their Book Thief storyboard assignment?
Students should select a quote or scene, create an illustration representing it, and write 1–2 sentences about what the quote means to them. This combines visual and written expression to deepen understanding.
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