There are countless sacrifices made by characters in The Book Thief that demonstrate those characters’ values. Throughout the book, Hans Huberman deliberately makes sacrifices time and time again. One of the biggest sacrifices Hans makes is of his and his family’s safety. He does this by choosing to house and care for Max Vandenburg, a Jew. This major sacrifice shows how much Hans values promises and human life. It began with a promise following the First World War. Hans Huberman tells the wife of his hero, Erik Vandenburg, “’…if there’s anything you ever need’” (Zusak 121), then he hands her his address on a small piece of paper. At this point, Hans does not know that he would later be called to risk his life for the little boy next to his
