Contents
Chapter 6 - The Other Side of Sandpaper
Overview
In May 1939, a Nazi parade underscores the town’s conformity while hinting at Hans Hubermann’s quiet dissent. After a nightmare and bed-wetting, Hans discovers Liesel’s stolen book and begins teaching her to read. Their midnight lesson forges their bond and sets Liesel’s path toward words as refuge and power.
Summary
In late May 1939, Liesel watches a Nazi parade on Munich Street with Hans Hubermann and Rudy Steiner. Townspeople mostly cheer, with fervent supporters like Frau Diller and quieter, dutiful clappers like Alex Steiner. Hans’s guarded expression signals his place among the few who do not fully support Hitler.
That night, Liesel dreams of brownshirts and relives her brother’s death on the train, waking in bed-wetting terror. As Hans comforts her and changes the sheets, The Grave Digger’s Handbook falls to the floor. He gently confirms that the book is hers and suggests they read it together, turning a shameful moment into a promise.
Hans begins a midnight lesson. Realizing the book’s difficulty and Liesel’s limited reading, he retrieves a painter’s pencil and sandpaper to start from scratch. He draws letters, writes simple words, and sketches crude pictures, teasing Liesel into finding “Saumensch” for S and turning learning into warmth and play.
They complete the alphabet and review it repeatedly. Hans ends the lesson decisively, promising to play the accordion in the morning. In the darkness, Liesel watches the words in her mind, the new ritual marking the beginning of her education and deepening the trust between father and daughter.
Who Appears
- Liesel MemingerHaunted by nightmares; bed-wets; her stolen book is found; begins learning to read from Hans.
- Hans HubermannQuiet Nazi dissenter; comforts Liesel; discovers her book; invents sandpaper lessons to teach her reading.
- Rudy SteinerStands with Liesel and Hans during the Nazi parade; a friend witnessing the town’s display.
- Rosa HubermannBrief presence; earlier bed-making routine spared her from finding the book this time.
- Alex SteinerClaps dutifully at the parade, embodying pressured submission amid rising Nazi fervor.
- Frau DillerProud Nazi supporter on the parade route, representing local enthusiasm for the regime.