Casting director Donna Isaacson is seeking child actors to submit online video auditions for The Book Thief, the film adaptation of  the bestselling young adult novel by Marcus Zusak. Set during World War II, the book told from the point of view of DEATH, relates the tale of Liesel Meminger, a young foster child living in NAZI Germany who survives by stealing books and bringing them back to her foster father and others.

The film will be directed by  BAFTA- and Emmy Award-winning Brian Percival, director of the hit British soap Downton Abbey, based on a screenplay by Michael Petroni. Karen Rosenfelt (Twilight) is producing for Fox 2000. Production is scheduled  to commence summer 2012.

Donna Isaacson (127 Hours, The Crucible, Father of the Bride) is currently casting one boy and one girl, ages 9-14 years old. To audition, children must record a video in which they answer the question, “Why have you not done your homework?” Each video audition must include three versions of the answer: “a truthful, logical, and reasonable explanation; an outrageously over-the-top, made-up story; and a sad, emotional, real excuse that is almost too difficult to talk about.”

Note: Seeking union and nonunion submissions. 20th Century Fox is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information and to apply, click here. Submission deadline is June 15, 2012.  Submissions are only being accepted from talent residing in the U.S.A. and Canada, but both union and nonunion actors are welcome to apply.

For more detailed instructions, visit www.thebookthiefcasting.com and watch a video in which Isaacson offers guidance to help prepare kids for their auditions.