How did Liesel's dream about her brother and Max Vandenburg mirror the conflicts in her own life?

Liesel dream is a symbol that shows how Max has morphed into a surrogate for Liesel's dead brother, and Liesel's desperate fight to keep Max alive is one indication of the development of her character: Liesel is four years older now, and while she has not yet hit puberty, she has noticeably matured both intellectually and emotionally.