The Book Thief Viewing Guide & Worksheets

Add another interesting element to your World War II Unit with this “The Book Thief” Movie Viewing Guide and Worksheet!

This movie can be used as an introduction or review for your World War II unit and the viewing guide is designed to help insure that students are paying attention and thinking about the information presented in the film.

This lesson includes a pre-screening activity with basic questions about the time period that will require students to conduct a little bit of research.

The viewing guide is split into four sections to go along with the movie. Each of the four sections contains questions that are designed to make students think about the people and ideas at play in the film as well as to ensure that students are paying attention to the plot.

There is also a post-screening activity sheet that asks specific questions about the content in the film and asks students to compare the movie to actual historical events. These worksheets are also included in Google Form format to be submitted digitally.

How the Lesson Works:
★ The Pre-Screening Worksheet is designed to serve as an introduction or review of World War II.
★ The Viewing Guide is split into four sections with short answer, true/false, and multiple choice questions from the movie.
★ The Post-Screening Worksheet is designed to be completed after students have viewed the movie in its entirety.
★ Customizable Google Form Versions of each activity are included.

Movie Synopsis:
Based on the beloved best-selling book comes this profoundly moving story of a girl who transforms the lives of those around her during World War II, Germany. Although Liesel (Sophie Nelisse) is illiterate when she is adopted by a German couple (Oscar Winner Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson), her adoptive father encourages her to learn to read. Ultimately, the power of words helps Liesel and Max (Ben Schnetzer), a Jew hiding in the family’s home, escape from the events unfolding around them in this extraordinary, acclaimed film directed by Brian Percival (DOWNTON ABBEY).

Required Materials:
★ The Book Thief (2000) DVD or Streaming Capabilities