Liesel Meminger’s foster mother in Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief is named Rosa Hubermann.
Rosa and her husband, Hans Hubermann, take Liesel into their home in the fictionalized German town of Molching during the Second World War. Rosa is sharp-tongued, practical, and frequently uses insulting nicknames, but her harsh manner conceals deep loyalty to her family and friends.
Her relationship with Liesel changes gradually. At first, Liesel is frightened by Rosa’s temper and demanding rules. Over time, however, she recognizes Rosa’s affection and courage, especially as the Hubermanns shelter Max Vandenburg, a Jewish man hiding from the Nazi regime.
Readers sometimes confuse Rosa with Ilsa Hermann, the mayor’s wife. Ilsa introduces Liesel to the mayor’s library and becomes important to Liesel’s reading life, but she is not Liesel’s foster mother. Hans Hubermann is Liesel’s foster father and teaches her to read.