Fox 2000 optioned Markus Zusak‘s young adult novel The Book Thief a few years ago.  The project is moving forward now that the studio hired Brian Percival to direct.  Death narrates the novel, set during WWII, telling “the story of Liesel Meminger from the time she is taken at age 9 to live with a foster family in a German working-class neighborhood.”  Michael Petroni (The Rite) penned the adaptation.  As the director of several episodes of Downton Abbey, Percival is a classy choice.  Percival is coming off an Emmy in 2011 for his work on the first episode of everyone’s favorite British soap.

According to Variety, Fox 2000 wants The Book Thief in production by the summer.  Hit the jump to read the full book synopsis.

Tonight was the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards and the winner’s list included some great names.  Perhaps the best win of the night was Peter Dinklage picking up Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Game of Thrones.  Not far behind was Kyle Chandler finally picking up an Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series for the final season of Friday Night Lights (the show also picked up an Emmy for Best Writing in a Drama Series).  Martin Scorsese picked up an award for his direction of Boardwalk Empire‘s pilot episode, and ubiquitous character actor Margo Martindale won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Mags Bennett on FX’s Justified.

The top awards for Best Drama, Best Comedy, and Best Variety, Music or Comedy Series went to last year’s winners Mad Men, Modern Family, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, respectively.  Best Miniseries or TV Movie was awarded to  PBS’ Downtown Abbey while CBS’ The Amazing Race picked up another Emmy for Best Reality-Competition Program.  Hit the jump for the full list of winners.