I Am the Messenger by Mark Zusak

protect the diamonds

survive the clubs

dig deep through the spades

feel the hearts


Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He's pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery.


That's when the first ace arrives in the mail.


That's when Ed becomes the messenger.


Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?

A 2005 Michael L. Printz Honor Book and recipient of five starred reviews, I Am the Messenger is a cryptic journey filled with laughter, fists, and love by the author of the extraordinary international bestseller The Book Thief.

Stitchley's Rating:

With all the hype of Mark Zusak book "The Book Thief" being released as a popular movie I thought I would review this book which I have actually read.  I really loved this book.  It is filled with intrigue, mystery, and a great deal of life and love.  Some parts of this book are hard to read and other parts when read bring a sense of peace and joy that is often found with the generous giving we often experience at Christmas.  I would recommend this book to almost anyone, but I do not believe it is a book for everyone.  Mark Zusak does not skirt from showing the pain and suffering in life that Ed (his main character) is endeavoring to ease while on his mission.  While this is necessary to the story it can be difficult for some to read this sort of material.  I suggest only that if you are uncertain of if you can handle this sort of material that you consider carefully before you read this book.  I Am the Messenger is a book that shows suffering and life at it's bleakest, but also how simple joy and love can come into it and ease that pain.

Instances of Swearing:

• Hell: 34
• Ass: 15
• Shit: 32
• Bitch: 3
• Lord's Name: 54
• Bastard: 31

Do to the nature of this book and the environment of some of the victims there is a few situations that are sexual/violent in nature.