In The Book Thief, friendship often arises in atypical places; war throws people together who would have never had a chance to get to know one another otherwise. Liesel is led to Hans and Rosa Hubermann, who not only take care of her and love her, but become her genuine friends. Max also becomes friends with the Hubermanns and with Liesel, developing ties that are crucial to his survival and enrichment throughout the story. Liesel develops an unlikely friendship with the mayor’s wife. Books are a common thread that ties these friends together. Perhaps the most endearing friendship of the novel is that between Rudy and Liesel; they are best pals and often do risky and daring things for one another. Friendship occurs right in the middle of the chaos and despair of war, and it is friendship that makes the circumstances of living amid the atrocities of war survivable.