The Power of Words/The Word Shaker

The story of the word shaker interested me in that one friendship could make a path for so many others to follow when it was so dangerous. The Fuhrer creates a forest of hatred using the power of words. Liesel, on the hand, decides to plant a tree of love and loyalty to her Jewish friend. When she climbs to the branches, she is able to keep her tree standing throughout the physical attack, showing that her friendship survives despite the hatred all around her. The tree symbolizes the friendship between a Jew and a German and how strong it can be.

Once Max arrives they are able to show their friendship to the world so they no longer need the tree. Instead, they make the decision that to make a new path the tree must fall. In so doing Max and Liesel create the space for Jews and Germans to live together and love one another again. They hear the faint whispers behind them, knowing that these voices may be small, but together will be heard.

The " Word Shaker" describes the whole story of the relationship between the Germans and the Jews during World War II. Some Germans, like Liesel, create new paths, that allow others to see the hate all around them. Now people have a choice: they can follow Hitler's path or the path of love. The trees of hate stand for the Nazis and followers while the word shaker's tree stands for those who speak out against the concentration camps and massacre of the Jews. Although one voice may be small, many together will eventually override the hate and be heard. Max writes this as a children's story but no one is every too old to hear the meaning of true friendship.