Max Vandenberg is a Jewish man who is taken in and hidden by the Hubbermanns, Rosa and Hans, during World War 2 in Nazi Germany. His father saved Hans's life during the First World War. Hans, in turn, repays this deed by hiding Max from the Nazis, therefore putting his family in great danger as a result of it. During Max’s time living in the Hubbermann residence he befriends the protagonist, Liesel Meminger. The two find that they are very similar to each other. They both have nightmares having to do with the hardships and disasters they had once experienced. They also both have survivors guilt as the two of them have lost and left behind family. In addition to this, both have taken part in fighting early on in their lives, with Liesel instinctively taking to beating up a classmate when she felt like it and with Max …show more content…
“And she has more in common with you than two you think.” Papa checked that Rosa wasn’t coming this. “She likes a good fistfight, too.” (Page 218). But more importantly, they share the love for words, reading and books overall which really gives significance to this particular relationship. Max writes short books in his time hiding in the cold basement of 33 Himmel St. about how her words, emotions and actions are able to provide him with hope as well as the strength to continue to brave the circumstances life has presented him with. In one of Max’s books, The Book Shaker, it describes how Liesel’s words were able to supply him with the determination and courage help him to topple the metaphorical forest full of hate. In his vivid day dreams, he talks of him boxing with Adolf Hitler, unceasingly observing how the Führer persuades the crowd to rise up with him against Max and all other Jews. He turns his hatred into words. He even begins an exercise routine that transforms his aggression into energy. Liesel begins to look up to Max, as he has become somewhat of a motivator to