In the book, Rudy is one of the main characters and does many main, eventful things. Before he knew Liesel, Rudy is known for "the Jesse Owens Incident," when Rudy's father found him running the track covered in soot to run as fast as the African American Olympic Champion, Jesse Owens. He and Liesel always go to the creek and fields when they get hungry or just want to get away for a little. Rudy also loves to play soccer and plays it all the time with Liesel. If Rudy did not do the things in the book that he did, it would be like reading a whole new book. First, Rudy meets Liesel and immediately befriends her. He also immediately proclaims his romantic love for her. Then they become friends and join an apple stealing gang together. When a bully tosses the book that Liesel was reading into the Amper River, Rudy saves it and asks for a kiss for the last time. Rudy began having trouble with the sadistic leader of his Hitler Youth troupe, but the leader broke his ribs and Rudy was able to move to another troupe. Rudy wins the races in the Hitler Youth carnival and draws all the attention of the authorities. Then the authorities show up at his house and want him for an elite Nazi school. Finally, Rudy learns that his father is going to war and doesn't have to go to school anymore. When Rudy and Liesel put bread on the road for the Jewish prisoners headed to Dachau, Rudy has to stop Liesel from chasing after Max as he is being marched to Dachau. Liesel tells Rudy about Max and the picture of Rudy in Max's own book. The next day, Himmel Street is bombed and Rudy dies. :(