I Am the Messenger | Markus Zusak | Can One Person Really Change the World?

I Am the Messenger | Markus Zusak | What a great book

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I Am the Messenger

	I Am the Messenger Markus Zusak Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2006 - 368 pages average customer review:based on 71 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Can One Person Really Change the World?

Ed Kennedy is a nineteen-year-old cabdriver. He is a self-proclaimed screw-up. He didn't try hard in school, never went to the University, and only took a job cab-driving because it was easy. He spends all the rest of his time with his extremely smelly 17-year-old dog, The Doorman, or playing cards with Richie, Merv and Audrey -- his best friends and comrades in doing just enough to get by. But all of that changes one day.

The four friends had stopped at the bank before going home, and were caught up in the middle of a robbery. After a really inept attempt, the robber tried to flee the scene, and Ed chased after him. He held him until the cops arrived and was thus labeled the local "hero", a title that was rather unusual to Ed. He wasn't used to the attention. And then it happened. He received a card in the mail. Not just any card, but the Ace of Diamonds. There was nothing on the card, but 3 addresses, with a different time next to each. But what did it mean? What was he supposed to do?

Ed didn't have a clue what to do, but Audrey felt that he was chosen for something special because of the robbery. So late one night he arrived at the first address, only to find a very scared wife and daughter that had to endure the torture of a drunken man each night. Ed knew in his heart it was up to him to rescue them, but he wasn't a hero. In fact, he was rather a coward. Would he be able to find the courage to tackle each assignment as it came along? Could he deliver the "messages" that needed to be sent?

To be honest, I knew absolutely nothing about this book when I decided to read it. But I liked The Book Thief, and thought I would give it a try. It turned out to be a very special book....one that touched me very deeply. Have you ever had a book weave it's way into you soul? Deeply, like there was spot there waiting just for that book?? Well, I am the Messenger was the book that did it for me. Ed Kennedy was a wonderfully flawed character. He knew his weaknesses, and was afraid to actually do anything that might disrupt the sameness of his life. Page after page the story builds, and Ed evolves into someone new.

"Usually, we walk around constantly believing ourselves. "I'm okay," we say. "I'm all right." But sometimes the truth arrives on you, and you can't get it off. That's when you realize that sometimes it isn't even an answer -- it's a question. Even now, I wonder how much of my life is convinced."

I can understand this. I can relate to this. I FEEL this sometimes. I really loved this book. The absolutely only thing that took away from the book at all was the ending. I thought it was rather rushed, and tied up a little too neatly. The entire premise of the book is a little unbelievable. Most fiction IS unbelievable. But it made me WANT to believe that one person really can change the world.

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What a great book

Ed Kennedy, a lazy, underage cab driver was chosen when he unexpectedly stopped a bank robbery. "For a moment, it feels like everything stops to watch as I reach in and pull out an old playing card. It's the Ace of Diamonds." He was not sure why, but when the first ace came he knew he could not ignore it.

The beginning of I Am the Messenger captured me in with an interesting plot line. Markus Zusak wrote this book extremely well, I did not want to put it down. I love how every detail comes together for a prefect ending leaving you with a wonderful message to think about. This book definitely deserves the Michael L Printz award for excellence in young adult literature. I would recommend this book for readers of all ages.

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Ordinary Heroism

Though many people dislike the book's ending, I found it quite fitting. Zusak inspires readers with his creation of an ordinary hero. Ed motivates adults and teens alike to save the world. Just as Ed receives minimal information outlining his mission, we too must emerge from our lives of self-absorption and extend ourselves.

How does Ed save others? He watches, waits, and delivers. Though the action may be small, the kindness is powerful. This taxi-driving youth's understanding of people's needs is astounding. Telling a young runner she possesses beauty. Bringing an old woman a past love. Reuniting a friend with his lost child. And, ultimately, giving himself the greatest gift of all.

This book is a fast read, not only because of the simple writing style, but also because of my lack of patience in awaiting Ed's next mission. Few can read this book and not be encouraged to create their own lives full of LIFE.

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I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger
By: Marcus Zusak

This book is a realistic fiction/mystery. This book is about a under aged cabbie driver named Ed. Who has done pretty much nothing meaningful in his life in till one fateful day when he stopped a bank robber. From that day forward his life got very interesting. He started to receive aces in the mail. On each card there were clues. Ed is faced with a difficult task he has to first solve the clues on the card and then he had to help a person. His best friends Marv, Audrey, and Ritchie give him advice along the way. Ed has to complete five cards in order to finish. Can Ed and his three best friends figure out the clues? If he fails he will be killed. Ed makes a lot of new friends and enemies in his adventures. He also realizes things about his friends he never knew before. This is Ed's time to shine but is he up to the task?This book related to my life because it showed me that any normal Joe can step up to the biggest obstacle and defeat it. That somehow affects my life because it taught me that lesson. I read this because it sounded like a great book. I loved how the author made the characters interesting and real. The plot was very original and exciting. The connection between the characters was very believable. The setting description is pretty vivid and the plot wasn't all that great but on the whole it is a very good book. It was truly a book that I couldn't put down until I finished it. I do not recommend it for younger kids because it is a mature book but I do recommend it to teens and young adults.

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Messenger sends a Message

Wow, was this book a surprise. After about one hundred pages, I was done - I hated that the main character couldn't take more action, do something with his life, bathe his disgusting dog. But then these incredible, strange, emotionally significant "missions" start happening, and I felt drawn into caring about him and the people he encountered in a surprisingly profound way. I'm not sure which group of young people will remain interested in this sad sack long enough to get to the truly inspiring, change-your-life qualities he takes on later in the novel, but I would recommend it anyway.

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