I found Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief to be a work ignited by inspiration and delivered with great force. It reminds us of the power of words and the solace and even immortality that can be found in writing and literature. It tells the story of a little girl who discovers through reading, the strength to survive in World War II Germany, even as she in effect loses two families in the tragedy. Director Brian Percival conferred upon me an honor and indeed a responsibility in asking me to composer the score for his beautiful film version of Zusak’s novel.     —John Williams