The Book Theif

I read this book shortly after completing a unit about the Holocaust for my 8th grade students. This is the most unusual account of the Holocaust written from the perspective Death, who acts as narrator of the story. It is fascinating to 'hear' Death's perspective on the events of the Holocaust, though the story is much different than what most people think of when they think of the Holocaust.
The Book Thief accounts the experience of one girl's life during the Holocaust. She is sent to live with a foster family after her mother realizes she can no longer care for her and her brother. Along the journey to her new home, her brother dies and Liesel is compelled to steal a book at the cemetary, "The Gravediggers Guide." This starts her "occupation" as a book thief.
She immediately falls in love with her foster-father and meets her best friend, Rudy, among many other people. The two share many experiences.
This is a pretty long book, but it is written really well and, again, is much different than most Holocaust books. Enjoy!