I Am The Messanger

Author: Markus Zusak

ISBN:978-0375836671

Publication Information: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Plot Summary:Ed Kennedy feels like a slacker and a loser. He is a 19 year old cab driver with no solid future plans. Then one day he stops a bank robbery and becomes a local hero. Shortly after, mysterious things start happening to Ed. He begins to get playing cards in the mail, with different things written on them. He soon realizes that each card is a message that he needs to help the people that correspond to the information on the cards. He soon embarks on a series of quests that range from helping a church build up its congregation to sharing a meal and reading to an old woman at night. But despite all of the good that Ed is doing, he can't shake the feeling that he is still a loser. Will Ed gain the affirmation he needs, or is he destined to consider himself a loser forever?

Critical Evaluation: Zusak creates an affable character in Ed and his friends. The dialogue between the four friends is witty and sharp, with jokes and insults that may sound cruel, but are said in a way that shows a deep fondness and love for each other. What is slightly discouraging, however, is the fact that Ed feels like such a loser at the young age of 19. He compares himself to historical prodigies, like Joan of Arc or Salvador Dali. While lack of self confidence can be a a common feeling for teens, it seems unrealistic that Ed's of self-loathing at not being successful would be so prevalent at 19. However, despite this, the book is a good, fast read that a wide variety of teens will find engaging. Zusak creates a good pace, and enough tension to keep the reader intrigued as to why Ed is being sent the messages on cards. Overall, a book that many teens will enjoy, but with enough problems that it will not be on the absolute top of my list on books to recommend.

Reader's Annotation: Ed is a loser that isn't doing anything with his life, until a series of events sets Ed on a path to become a hero.

Author Information: Markus Zusak is the author of four other books: Getting the Girl, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, The Underdog and I Am The Messenger. His latest book, Bridge of Clay is due to be released next year. He lives in Sydney, Australia with his family. (Taken from the author's website http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/index.html)

Curricular Ties: Psychology

Genre:Mystery, Issues

Book talking ideas:

• What was Ed's hardest task?
• Why was Ed chosen to be "the messenger"?
• What was the task that you thought was the most important? What task would you most like to be assigned?
  

Challenge issues:Sex, Violence

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.

Interest Age: Grades 10 and up

Why I selected this piece: After reading Zusak's The Book Thief, I went out and read all of this books. This book is his most well known and acclaimed, after The Book Thief.