The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, is a historical novel which was published in 2005. It tells the story of Liesel Meminger a young German girl who was placed into the foster care system by her mother. Liesel is fostered by Hans and Rosa Hubermann.

Liesel’s biological father was a Communist in Hitler’s Germany and, before the novel begins, he has been taken from his family by the Nazis. Liesel’s mother, Paula, is taking Liesel and her brother, Warner, to be fostered so that she can protect them from the Nazis. Paula takes Liesel and Warner on the train to Munich. However, Liesel’s brother dies suddenly on the way there and is buried in a strange town:

The book thief and her brother were traveling down toward Munich, where they would soon be given over to foster parents. We now know, of course, that the boy did not make it.

Liesel is placed with the Hubermann family in Molching.