Describe the setting and its impact on the plot of the story

The Book Thief is set in a fictional town named Molching in Germany. The story takes place during WWII, a time of war, murder, confusion, and atrocites. This impacts the novel's characters, as they are living through the changes and evil Hitler brings to Germany and most of Europe. Liesel loses her family, and Max, a Jew, might be taken at anytime. Rosa and Hans face horrific acts if their kindness is discovered. The setting directs the course of the novel.