What If

[roselyn]

Towards the end of the book Rudy was offered a spot in the Nazi Youth army but his parents refused to send him. If he did go at that time what do you think would have happened to him. How could the ending have been different?

[iancernitz]

If Rudy would have gone to the Nazi Youth Army I think the tone of the story would have been drastically changed. The plot, although drenched in peril, follows a general story line of everything being alright then the bombing causing everything Liesel had to disappear. This early loss may have caused Liesel to confess her feelings to Rudy and maybe they both would have lived. If Rudy would have left for the Army, Liesel would have been incredibly sad and maybe even have gone after him. They may even have both lived.

[charlottepetryy]

The story would have changed because Rudy may not have died in the end if he went to be apart of the Nazi Youth Army, and Leisel and him could have reunited and been together. Also Leisel would still have gone through a lot of loss but with Rudy alive she wouldn't have lost the boy she realized she was in love with.