How dose the author use figurative and descriptive language to engage readers in the book theif

On page 31, Zusak’s use of figurative language is precise; he uses unique descriptions to communicate details and ideas. Simple words like; ”Bite marks” of snow; “wirelike shins” and “coat hanger arms." What kind of person do you visualize?

"Upon her arrival, you could still see the bite marks of snow on her hands and the frosty blood on her fingers. Everything about her was undernourished. Wirelike shins. Coat hanger arms. She did not produce it easily, but when it came, she had a starving smile."

The notion, "when it came, she had a starving smile," communicates that smiles are few and far between, and that when she does smile something is missing.

“The door opened and the entire classroom of children looked on in surprise as Rosa Hubermann stood in the doorway. One or two gasped at the sight- a small wardrobe of a woman with a lipstick sneer and chlorine eyes. This. Was the legend. She was wearing her best clothes, but her hair was a mess, and it was a towel of elastic gray strands.”

In this quote we can actually see Rosa......... the author engages the reader by providing complete "pictures" of his character. Rosa isn't just a figure in the text; she's old, her clothing overwhelms her, her hair is grey and unkempt, that her make-up can't cover up the meanness inside.

I love this novel because it's a painting of words. The reader doesn't have to use his/her imagination to conjure of the character.......... we know the character because the author is adept at communicating they way they look, their gestures, and how they feel.