Family is a theme that runs throughout the novel, even from the opening scenes as readers meet Liesel on the train with her brother and mother. Liesel is torn from her birth family and placed in a surrogate situation; nonetheless, she finds joy and friendship in this substitute family. It is her relationship with Hans and Rosa that guides her through the despair of losing her mother, father, and brother, and helps her adjust to all of the changes going on in her life. As Max enters the equation, a little family is formed, bringing joy to all of their lives. Max, feeling guilty for the loss of his family, must struggle against his grief and frustration. He battles with his despair at not having done more to help his family and with his lone survivor status. He responds to the Hubermanns well, taking comfort in their little family and drawing strength from them. So, even though the families represented in this book are not of the traditional variety and seem thrown together ad hoc, priceless familial bonds are nonetheless formed that provide strength through the hard times of war.