The StoryTeller

Kelsi Quinn
E-Block
4/4
Liesels new Beginning
After the bombing Liesel Meminger struggled feeling at home in the
Hermanns household. She did not have to go without anything that she
needed. There was no struggle with food or clothing, seeing as her new home
was with the Mayor and his Wife. Yes, Ilsa Hermann had been more than
welcoming towards Liesel, but the Book Thief, now known as the storyteller
wanted nothing more than to be wrapped up in her Mama and Papas arms.
She missed the sound of Papas accordion and the horrid taste of her Mamas
soup that she used to have no choice to eat. Her life was miraculously different
now.
Learning
to Let Go
There she sat on her brand new comfortable cotton bed.
She spends most of her time here since she refuses to leave
her bedroom.Her eyes were as red as blood and her cheeks
were as wet as the ocean. Her sobs could be heard
throughout the whole house. Ilsa Hermann rushed into Liesel
s bedroom frantically thinking she had gotten hurt, but she
wasnt. The only thing that hurt the storyteller was the
memories that always came back to haunt her. She wasnt
over losing her second family and her best friend. How could
she be? She was the only one who survived that day and all
she felt was guilt. Ilsa rushed over to the young girl and
gently asked her what the matter was. When the Ilsa realized
why the girl was so upset she started to speak. She told her
in order to move on she has to let go. It was a pretty ironic
statement to make considering the poor woman wept over
her dead son for years, but it was enough to get Liesel
thinking to realize she was right.
Taking Advice *a few weeks later*
Liesel decided to take Ilsas advice on letting go but never forgetting. Heck,
she couldnt forget Mama, Papa, or Rudy even if she tried. The Mayors wife
helped Liesel start fresh by helping her get a job. She now works in Alex
Steiners store. It was a small step but it held a lot of meaning considering a few
weeks ago the poor girl couldnt even begin to think of leaving her bedroom.
She was terrified of being reminded of that night, but shes making progress,
and she owes it all the the Mayors Wife. Speaking of Ilsa Hermann, she started
to grow even more close with the Liesel than she was before. She started
caring for Liesel the minute she seen her steal the book from the Book Burning
and even more after that when she started having reading sessions with her in
the library. Now, Ilsa almost thinks of Liesel as the daughter she never had.
Reuniting *2 years later*
It was cold and windy that day and I know for a fact that Liesel was not expecting the life
changing moment that was about to happen in a mere five minutes. Once Max Vandenburg
heard that his little Liesel had survived the bombing he wasnt going to let anything stop him
from seeing her again. He felt an overwhelming amount of emotions wash through him when
he overheard two men talking about a young girl that was the only survivor found on Himmel
street. Is it really her? he thought. Either way he was going to get his Liesel back. The bell
rang as Max walked into Alex Steiner's store but Liesel didnt think anything of it. He asked if a
girl named Liesel Meminger was there and Alex pointed and told him shes in the back. Liesel
came out and looked up. He was there and she couldnt believe it. Max! she cried and ran
over to him while the hugged each other so very tightly, scared they if either of them pulled
away they would disappear.
Maxs Journey
The last time Liesel saw Max before their beautiful reunitement was in a
group of Jews being lead to work camps/concentration camps. He was
heartbroken as he watch the young girl be beat by an officer as he was being
led away. He wanted to do something. Anything, but he was weak. He could
barely talk walk on his own. It was too late. She was all he could think about the
whole walk to the camp. She was all he could think about when he was almost
being worked to death in the camp, and she was all he could think about when
he finally snuck out of the camp a year later. Max didnt leave the camp for
himself, no, he left to see his lovely Liesel again. To tell that hes okay and she
ll be okay and to let her know what hes not going anywhere. It was a very
dangerous risk, but incase you didnt notice Max would o anything for the Book
Thief.
Being Okay
After the lovely surprise she got in Alexs store last week Liesels life was
finally coming back into place.Shes still in contact with Max, in fact, Ilsa offered
her home to him and he accepted after much persuasion from Liesel. Liesel still
goes to school and reads a year above her grade level. Those late night
reading sessions with her Papa really payed off. No more beating up kids on
the playground for her. She has a best friend named Mary who reminds her a
lot of Rudy. She met her on the first day of high school and was immediately
fascinated with her bright blonde lemon hair. Remind you of anyone? Liesel
being Liesel went up to the young girl and soon enough she had herself a best
friend. Things were doing better and Liesel was going to be okay.
Flash Forward> *30 years Later*
Liesel is now 44 and now lives in her own home in Sydney, Australia. Max
came along with her as well. They felt like they needed a fresh start at life so
they decided to move to Australia. There is where she met her husband James.
She now also has three kids. Two girls and one boy. The girls names are Betsy
and Annie. She named her little boy Rudy. When she found out she was going
to have her first child she made a promise to herself that she would do
everything she could for her children the way her mother never got a chance to
do for her and her brother. She wants her children to have the relationship with
her and her husband the way she didnt. She cared for her children very much
and would do anything to ensure their happiness.
Debated Conversion
Come on, Liesel, you mean to tell me that you dont think your book is
good enough? Max Vandenburg said. He was trying to get Liesel to publish
her story that she finished on the day of the bombing, but she just couldnt bring
herself to do it. She was scared. Max knew what she went through and he
knew the power of her words and words in general saved her life that day in the
basement when the bombs went off. In that moment Rudy ran in the room
followed by her husband, James. Max greeted James and asked what was
going on. Max then began to explain to James his idea that he had on getting
Liesels book published. James immediately agreed. Of course he would
agree, Max was always a good persuader, Liesel thought, but James wasnt
persuaded. He truly did believe that his wife had talent and an amazing story
and thought the world should know what life was like for Germans back then.
Over Thinking
After Max first proposed his idea on publishing her book Liesel loved the
idea. It was only after she started thinking of the possibilities that could happen
when she thought it wasnt any good of an idea at all. She was scared of what
people would have to say about her past and her writing. She didnt mind being
reminded of her beautiful loving Mama and Papa or her best friend with hair the
color of lemons. She just didnt want to remember how the story ends. She
knew that she had let go of what happened a while ago but part of her couldnt
help but feel the way she felt when she found out everyone she loved had died
in the bombing. She didnt want to be judged for what she went through,she
didnt want anyones opinion, nor did she want anyones sympathy.
Going Against Wishes *50 years
Later*
Regardless of what Liesel told Max years ago he was determined to get Liesel
s story published. He knew she was getting older and there might not be
enough time left. Every since that day that Max proposed the idea of publishing
her book he continue to bring it up every day until Liesel finally told him why
she was nervous about her story published. Its not that she didnt want her
book published, she was just scared. Max understood why she didnt want to
do it and he understood her fears, but he didnt think she should let her fears or
anyone elses thoughts come in the way of her success.He knew her story was
unique. He knew that she would be famous for telling her story. She would be a
famous storyteller. The storyteller. He made a promise to himself he would do
this for her.
At Peace
Liesel Meminger died this morning, but she lived a very long and
meaningful life. She died at the age of 94. Her story inspired millions of people
across the world if only she knew how much her story meant to all of those
people who read it. Many people attended her funeral and there was a garden
of flowers they people brang from many different places just for her. About a
year after Liesel died The Book Thief became the number one book sold
across the country. After the storyteller passed away the book became even
more valuable and even more popular. Max was proud of her. And for Liesel,
she was glad that Max was such a stubborn guy because she was smiling
down from heaven silently thanking him. For everything.
Reflection
In my sequel I stayed true to Liesels character. I think that something
along the lines of what I wrote would be how she felt if The Book Thief had a
sequel. I tried my best to include how Liesel was feeling and where life took her
in the minimum amount of 10 paragraphs, and what happened to Max and
some of what he went through. I also included the theme the power of words
since I feel like that was the main theme in the book.