Meet Rudy Steiner, the boy with “hair the color of lemons,” Liesel Meminger’s steadfast best friend in Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief.
These essential quotes capture his audacious spirit amidst the darkness of Nazi Germany.
Explore Rudy’s defining moments through 17 Rudy Steiner quotes with page numbers. From the infamous Jesse Owens incident to his persistent requests for a kiss.
Verified against the (Knopf 2007 ed.) and featuring insightful analysis, discover his loyalty, courage, and the enduring impact of his friendship with the book thief.
Friendship, Mischief & The Kiss
From the moment they meet, Rudy and Liesel forge a bond through shared experiences – playing soccer, navigating neighborhood dynamics, and eventually, acts of thievery, all punctuated by Rudy’s persistent, hopeful requests for a kiss.
“Insane or not, Rudy was always destined to be Liesel’s best friend. A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.”
(Speaker: Death, Part 1, Page 48)
Death highlights their bonds’ almost fated nature, framing Rudy’s initial playful aggression (the snowball) as the ironic yet perfect catalyst for their deep and enduring friendship.
“He liked girls a lot, and he liked Liesel (hence, the snowball). In fact, Rudy Steiner was one of those audacious little bastards who actually fancied himself with the ladies… He’s the boy who refuses to fear the opposite sex… and he’s the type who is unafraid to make a decision. In this case Rudy Steiner had already made up his mind about Liesel Meminger.”
(Speaker: Death about Rudy, Part 1, Pages 48-49)
Death characterizes Rudy’s youthful confidence and immediate affection for Liesel, portraying him as fearless in pursuing connection and decisive in recognizing Liesel as someone significant from the start.
“‘What do you want to kiss me for? I’m filthy.’- Liesel
‘So am I.’- Rudy”(Dialogue: Liesel Meminger and Rudy Steiner, Part 1, Page 54)
This early exchange establishes Rudy’s recurring desire for a kiss and his disregard for superficialities (“filth”); his shared state negates Liesel’s excuse, highlighting his simple, persistent affection.
“He stretched his hand up and said, “Sister Maria, I think you forgot Liesel.” Sister Maria. Was not impressed… He simply couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Why, God, why?”
(Dialogue: Rudy Steiner & Narration by Death, Part 1, Page 66)
Rudy’s impulsive defense of Liesel during the reading test, despite knowing it will likely bring trouble upon himself, demonstrates his innate loyalty and inability to stay silent when he perceives an injustice against his friend.
“How about a kiss, Saumensch?”
(Speaker: Rudy Steiner, Part 5, Page 241)
Emerging triumphant after retrieving Liesel’s book from the icy Amper River, Rudy immediately reverts to his familiar request, framing the kiss as a deserved reward for his act of selfless bravery and loyalty.
“He must have longed for it so much. He must have loved her so incredibly hard. So hard that he would never ask for her lips again and would go to his grave without them.”
(Speaker: Death about Rudy, Part 5, Page 303)
Death reveals the profound depth of Rudy’s unspoken feelings after the river incident, suggesting his cessation of asking for a kiss stemmed not from lost affection, but from a love so deep it feared final rejection.
“‘Hair the color of lemons,’ Rudy read… ‘Of course I told him about you,’ Liesel said.” She was saying goodbye and she didn’t even know it.”
(Dialogue/Narration: Rudy Steiner, Liesel Meminger, Death, Part 10, Page 518)
This seemingly simple moment discussing Max’s drawing of Rudy becomes profoundly poignant through Death’s narration, highlighting their deep bond while foreshadowing Rudy’s impending, unknown fate.
“Rudy, please, wake up,…wake up, I love you. Come on, Rudy, come on, Jesse Owens, don’t you know I love you, wake up, wake up, wake up..” But nothing cared… She leaned down and looked at his lifeless face and Liesel kissed her best friend, Rudy Steiner, soft and true on his lips. He tasted dusty and sweet. He tasted like regret…”
(Speakers: Liesel Meminger & Death, Part 10, Pages 535-36)
In the devastating aftermath of the bombing, Liesel finally confesses her love and gives Rudy the kiss he longed for, an act imbued with profound love, loss, and the bitter taste of regret for moments unspoken.
Rudy’s defiance against the oppressive norms of Nazi Germany, particularly his admiration for Jesse Owens and his conflicts within the Hitler Youth, showcase his innate sense of justice and rebellious spirit.
Defiance, Jesse Owens & Hitler Youth
Rudy’s character is defined by acts of rebellion, big and small. His emulation of Jesse Owens is a direct affront to Nazi ideology, while his clashes with Franz Deutscher highlight his resistance against arbitrary cruelty and his inability to stand idly by.
“He was eight months older than Liesel and had bony legs, sharp teeth, gangly blue eyes, and hair the color of a lemon. One of six Steiner children, he was permanently hungry. On Himmel Street, he was considered a little crazy. This was on account of an event that was rarely spoken about but widely regarded as “The Jesse Owens Incident,” in which he painted himself charcoal black and ran the 100 meters at the local playing field one night.”
(Speaker: Death describing Rudy, Part 1, Page 48)
Death introduces Rudy with defining characteristics: his physical appearance, constant hunger, and the notorious “Jesse Owens Incident,” immediately establishing his uniqueness and rebellious streak within the conformist context.
“Rudy panted, bending down and placing his hands on his knees. “I was being Jesse Owens.” He answered as though it was the most natural thing on earth to be doing… “What the hell does it look like?””
(Speaker: Rudy Steiner & Narration, Part 1, Pages 58-59)
Caught after the Jesse Owens incident, Rudy’s explanation reveals his complete lack of remorse or understanding that emulating a Black athlete might be seen as transgressive, highlighting his youthful innocence clashing with Nazi ideology.
“I just wish I was like Jesse Owens, Papa.”
(Speaker: Rudy Steiner, Part 1, Page 60)
Despite his father’s attempts to explain the dangers, Rudy’s simple, heartfelt wish underscores his pure admiration for Owens’ athletic prowess, untainted by the regime’s racial hatred.
“He answered with the birth of Christ. He even threw in Bethlehem as an added piece of information…when the confession registered, Liesel asked the only question available. ‘But why, Rudy? Why did you do it?’”
(Speaker: Death narrating Rudy’s actions, Part 5, Page 297)
Rudy’s deliberately wrong answer to Franz Deutscher’s question about Hitler’s birthday is an act of pure, albeit self-destructive, defiance, choosing stupidity and punishment over compliance with his tormentor.
“Which leaves us only with stupid act number three—skipping the Hitler Youth meetings… Dressed proudly in his uniform, he exited Himmel Street and kept walking, his loyal subject, Tommy, by his side. Instead of attending the Hitler Youth, they walked out of town… generally getting up to no good.”
(Speaker: Death about Rudy, Part 5, Page 299)
Rudy’s final act of rebellion against the Hitler Youth is passive but decisive; he simply ceases to attend, opting instead for personal freedom and minor mischief with Tommy Müller outside the regime’s structures.
“Damn that Franz Deutscher! But then he understood. This was not Franz Deutscher’s fault, but his own. He’s wanted to show his past tormentor what he was capable of, but he also wanted to prove himself to everyone. Now everyone was in his kitchen.”
(Speaker: Death narrating Rudy’s thoughts, Part 8, Page 408)
Reflecting on the arrival of the Nazi officials wanting to recruit him, Rudy recognizes his athletic victories, partly fueled by defiance against Deutscher, have ironically brought unwanted attention from the very regime he resists.
Rudy’s inherent kindness and acts of compassion, often performed quietly or impulsively, offer moments of light and underscore his fundamental decency in a time of pervasive cruelty.
Small Victories, Kindness & Enduring Spirit
Beyond the mischief and bravado, Rudy possesses a deep wellspring of kindness. His small acts—giving bread to Jews, offering comfort, and the eventual retrieval of the teddy bear—reveal his true character and leave a lasting impact.
“He was a giver of bread and teddy bears. He was a triple Hitler Youth athletics champion. He was her best friend.”
(Speaker: Death summarizing Rudy, Part 10, Page 518)
Death encapsulates Rudy’s multifaceted identity: capable of rule-breaking kindness (bread, teddy bear) and state-sanctioned success (athletics champion), yet ultimately defined by his role as Liesel’s best friend.
“They pedaled ahead of the parade, toward Dachau, and stopped at an empty piece of road. Rudy passed Liesel the bag. “Take a handful”…. He slapped some bread into her palm…. How could she argue? It was worth a whipping. “If we’re fast, we won’t get caught.” He started distributing the bread. “So move it, Saumensch.”
(Dialogue/Narration: Rudy Steiner and Liesel Meminger, Part 10, Page 440)
This scene showcases Rudy initiating a dangerous act of compassion, providing bread to Jewish prisoners being marched to Dachau, demonstrating defiant empathy despite the immense personal risk (“worth a whipping”).
“I carried [Rudy] softly through the broken street…with him I tried a little harder [at comforting]. I watched the contents of his soul for a moment and saw a black-painted boy calling the name Jesse Owens as he ran through an imaginary tape. I saw him hip-deep in some icy water, chasing a book, and I saw a boy lying in bed, imagining how a kiss would taste from his glorious next-door neighbor.”
(Speaker: Death about Rudy, Epilogue, Page 531)
Collecting Rudy’s soul, Death fondly recalls the defining images of Rudy’s life: his innocent defiance (Jesse Owens), his selfless loyalty (rescuing the book), and his enduring, unfulfilled love for Liesel.
Rudy Steiner’s life, though tragically cut short, remains a vibrant testament to friendship, courage, and the enduring power of small kindnesses in the face of overwhelming darkness.
Conclusion: Hair the Color of Lemons
These 17 quotes illuminate the unforgettable spirit of Rudy Steiner, Liesel Meminger’s lemon-haired best friend in The Book Thief.
His journey is one of audacious innocence, unwavering loyalty, and quiet acts of courage that defied the grim backdrop of Nazi Germany.
From the Jesse Owens incident to retrieving Liesel’s book from the freezing river and sharing bread with Jews, Rudy consistently chose connection and kindness over fear.
Though haunted by the kiss he never received and ultimately claimed by Death, Rudy Steiner’s legacy endures as a symbol of youthful resilience and the profound impact of friendship in the darkest of times.
His story reminds us, as Death himself observes, that even small, intensely lived lives leave an indelible mark. Explore more stories from Himmel Street in The Book Thief quotes.
A Note on Page Numbers & Edition:
Just as Rudy chased Jesse Owens, page numbers can race across editions! These page numbers reference the specific Knopf Books for Young Readers First Edition (Sept. 11, 2007) of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, ISBN-13: 978-0375842207. Always check your copy to ensure the finish line aligns with your reading.
Jeremy Mortis, founder of Ageless Investing, applies a rigorous analytical approach (the AAM framework) to distill timeless wisdom and contextualized quotes from classic literature, saving you time while deepening understanding. Learn more about Jeremy’s unique background and methodology on his author bio page.