Hans Hubermann is Liesel's adopted father. He lives on Himmel Street ("himmel" meaning Heaven). He is married to Rosa Hubermann. He loves to smoke hand-rolled cigarettes. He is a painter by trade and loves to play the piano accordion. He makes some money by playing his accordion in pubs around town.
As soon as Liesel Meminger arrives in Molching, she connects with her new papa more than her new mama. Throughout the book, Liesel loves Hans and he loves her back. The first book Liesel stole, "The Gravedigger's Handbook," was shown to Hans because of her yearning to learn how to read. Hans knew little about reading, but he tried his hardest to please her. Hans painted words on the basement walls to teach Liesel about letters and vocabulary. Liesel learned more from Papa than from school. In the middle of the book, Hans takes in a Jew named Max Vandenburg. With this, Hans puts the whole family in danger. Thankfully, they do not get caught. In the end, Liesel learns that Hans is her true family. Hans did everything he could to keep Liesel happy, but that wasn’t very hard because the love of a father was all she needed.
As soon as Liesel Meminger arrives in Molching, she connects with her new papa more than her new mama. Throughout the book, Liesel loves Hans and he loves her back. The first book Liesel stole, "The Gravedigger's Handbook," was shown to Hans because of her yearning to learn how to read. Hans knew little about reading, but he tried his hardest to please her. Hans painted words on the basement walls to teach Liesel about letters and vocabulary. Liesel learned more from Papa than from school. In the middle of the book, Hans takes in a Jew named Max Vandenburg. With this, Hans puts the whole family in danger. Thankfully, they do not get caught. In the end, Liesel learns that Hans is her true family. Hans did everything he could to keep Liesel happy, but that wasn’t very hard because the love of a father was all she needed.
To most people Hans Hubermann was barely visible. An un-special person. Certainly, his painting skills were excellent. His musical ability was better than average. Somehow, though, and I'm sure you've met people like this, he was able to appear as merely part of the background, even if he was standing at the front of a line [...] There most definitely was value in him, and it did not go unnoticed be Liesel Meminger. [...]Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father's eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver. Like soft silver, melting. Liesel, upon seeing those eyes, understood that Hans Hubermann was worth a lot. (p. 34)