In World War II Germany, a young girl named Liesel Meminger faces a life marked by loss and pain. After the death of her brother and the separation from her mother, she is sent to live with an elderly couple, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, in a small village. Despite the grim atmosphere and the hardships of daily life under the Nazi regime, Liesel finds solace in words and books, which become her refuge and her form of resistance.
With the help of her loving adoptive father, Hans, Liesel learns to read and becomes devoted to stealing books, starting with one she found in a cemetery. Each book she steals becomes a treasure that she shares with her new friend, Max, a Jewish man hiding in the basement of her home. As the war progresses, the horrors around her intensify, but Liesel continues to cling to hope and the magic of literature.
The story unfolds with the narrative voice of Death, who observes Liesel's journey and the complexities of life during dark times. Through her love of books and the connections she forges, Liesel manages to give a small twist to the fate of those around her, reminding us that despite despair, words can enlighten us even in the darkest moments.