The Book Thief ends with the Himmel Street bombing, which kills everyone Liesel has ever loved. When the smoke clears, Lieself discovers that both her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, and her best friend, Rudy Steiner, are dead. The text describes how Liesel found the dead bodies of Hans, Rosa, and Rudy.

When Liesel comes upon Rudy's body, she is devastated. She gives him a long kiss and sobs as she leaves his side. The only thing Liesel retrieves from Himmel Street is Hans's accordion.

After the bombing, Liesel is taken in by Ilsa Hermann and the mayor. We are told that Liesel attended her foster parents' funerals with the dirt from Himmel Street still on her. Meanwhile, two funerals are held for the Steiner family; first, when the dead are buried and second, when Alex Steiner (Rudy's father) returns on leave.

After the war ends, Liesel spends much of her time with Alex Steiner at his tailor shop. Eventually, Max returns and is reunited with Liesel. As for Liesel, she marries, has children, and dies after a long life.

The resolution of The Book Thief occurs at the very end of the novel when the narrator Death has come to important conclusions about the human race.  Liesel has lost everyone whom she has ever loved, and the ending scene of the bombing of Himmel Street shows the ultimate devastation of war and hatred.  Liesel is the only survivor, and although completely distraught, she manages to continue with her life.  She is eventually reunited with Max, and the reader assumes that the two have lived the rest of their lives together.  When it is time for Liesel to die, Death goes to her with a copy of the book and she asks him whether or not he has read it.  Upon admitting that he has, Death comes to the conclusion that he can never simply estimate people--Death suggests that he has much underestimated Liesel and her astonishing will to survive--a major theme in the novel.