<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $19 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $76.6 million </Td> </Tr> <P> The Book Thief is a 2013 World War II war drama film directed by Brian Percival and starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse . The film is based on the 2005 novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and adapted by Michael Petroni . The film is about a young girl living with her adoptive German family during the Nazi era . Taught to read by her kind - hearted foster father, the girl begins "borrowing" books and sharing them with the Jewish refugee being sheltered by her foster parents in their home . The film features a musical score by Oscar - winning composer John Williams . </P> <P> The Book Thief premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival on October 3, 2013, and was released for general distribution in the United States on November 27, 2013 . The film received mixed reviews upon its theatrical release with some reviewers praising its "fresher perspective on the war" and its focus on the "consistent thread of humanity" in the story, with other critics faulting the film's "wishful narrative". With a budget of $19 million, the film was successful at the box office, earning over $76 million . </P>

Who wrote the book thief soon to appear as a film