In this act of defiance and rebellion, Rudy demonstrates, again, an innocent choice to preserve his own well-being over the well being of his country and even his family. Remember, he never shares the fruit with anyone but the other thieves and Liesel.

Finally, Rudy displays courage in his unconditional devotion to Liesel. He helps her steal books, he keeps the secrets she reveals to him, and he is content not to ask questions nor know the full extent of the things she does not reveal. Like Liesel, he slowly comes to learn more and more about the Nazi Party, who is for it, and who is against it. As he realizes Hans Hubermann's non-roll in the Party, he is courageous to continue supporting Liesel (and therefore Hans) simply because he respects Liesel's love for her foster father.

The active and energetic Rudy is always getting himself into trouble, largely because he is too kind-hearted and good-natured to believe in Nazism.

Rudy, a runner, gets into trouble with his father because he covers himself in charcoal to look like Jesse Owens (a man he admires greatly) and runs in the street. Rudy's father is frightened that the Nazis will notice this and take Rudy away. Rudy doesn't fully understand that the Nazis consider Owens a subhuman for being Black. Rudy's father tries to explain to him that he needs to keep his anti-Hitler views to himself and to use his blond hair and blue eyes, prominent Aryan features, to help himself.

Rudy also gets into trouble when he is caught stealing the largest potato at Mamer's grocery story. He is able to get away with it by pleading with Mr. Mamer about how poor and hungry his family is. Rudy's teacher also happens to be in the store and backs up Rudy's story.

Rudy also gets into trouble with the good Nazi youth Franz Deutscher. Rudy won't give Franz Hitler's correct birthday, and he throws a rock at Franz. This leads to Franz beating him up and cutting his hair with a knife. Rudy also won't attend Hitler Youth meetings, which threatens his family with fines.

Rudy becomes infamous by mimicking Jesse Owens.

Death describes Rudy as “infamous” when introducing him to the reader in the beginning of the book.  His infamous because he would not bow down to the Nazis and do as he was told.  Rudy was an original.  He worshipped Jesse Owens, spoke his own mind, and stood up for what he believed in.

Rudy’s obsession with running was based on his own skill and the success of Jesse Owens in the Berlin Olympics.  Jesse Owens was an American athlete, and he just happened to be black.  It did not matter to Rudy that he was black, or that he was an American.  All he cared about was that Jesse Owens was a hero.

Rudy was considered crazy by most of the neighborhood.

This was on account of an event that was rarely spoken about but widely regarded as “The Jesse Owens Incident,” in which he painted himself charcoal black and ran the 100 meters at the local playing field one night. (The Kiss)

The Nazis did not like Jesse Owens. They believed that blue-eyed, blond-haired Aryan Germans were the “Master Race.”  It was very dangerous for Rudy to imitate Jesse Owens.  His father explained that to him when he caught him running covered in charcoal.

Rudy’s inability to fit in extended to his friendship with Liesel.  Like Rudy, Liesel did not bow down to the Nazis.  They became friends because both of them were outcasts.

Rudy refuses to become a Nazi pawn.  A good example of this is the race.  Rudy does not win the fourth race on purpose.  It is a protest to the Nazis and an acknowledgement that they can’t control him.

Rudy is a perfect example of the fact that not all Germans were Nazis.  Many of the German people were not true believers, but went along with the Nazis because they were afraid.  They were held hostage by Hitler too.  Rudy was not a Nazi.  He was a child, and racism meant nothing to him.