Zusak, M. (2002). I Am the Messenger. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 357 pages, $10.99
Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver (20 years old) who doesn't have much going for him either in his career or social life. But one day he gets an ace in the mail, and that's when his life becomes more exciting.
Ed doesn't have much going for himself. He's a cabdrive only because he lied about his age, his mom is consantly reminding him about how his brother and sisters have done OK for themselves and he is the only one who seems to be stuck, and he is in love with Audrey, his best friend who doesn't want to start any kind of relationship with him that'll ruin their friendship. All he really has are his best friends, Marv, Ritchie, and Audrey and their poker games and the Doorman, his old, devoted, and smelly dog who isn't much of a watchdog who likes coffee. Ed seems to have surrendered to the fact that he's going to stay where he is, and although it's not where he'd like to be, he's come to accept it. Then he gets an ace in the mail with addresses on it. He secretly goes to these addresses and realizes that the people who live there need his help, but he's not sure how exactly he's supposed to help them. He eventually gets the courage to do what he can to make things right for the people, and when he does, he gets visits from two men, Daryl and Keith, who are somehow connected to whomever sent him the aces and gets more aces with other addresses on them. Ed knows what he has to do. Then one day the aces have his friends' addresses on them, so he really wants to make sure that he helps them and make things work out for them.
As I was reading this book, I kept picturing a movie of the week. It took me a little while to get into it, but then the pace quickend for me and I couldn't put the book down. Some of the parts were very suspenseful while others were very heartwarming. I think the book showed that we could all do things that will help others. It doesn't have to be a big, grand gesture, but just going out of our way to do something nice or small (such as a short visit or small gift) for someone would help them. I think it showed that we shouldn't turn our back on injustice and unfairness...stick up for people who can't stick up for themselves. In the end, everything worked out well and Ed and his friends seemed happier, calmer, and content, which helped Ed as well. The title refers to Ed because he has something to give or show the people whose addresses are written on the aces. He has something to do...deliver a message to people, help them, and make their lives better.
This book is a Printz Honor Book. To learn more about Markus Zusak visit go to
http://www.markuszusak.com/ or
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/. Markus Zusak also wrote The Book Thief and The Underdog Trilogy, which includes Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and Getting the Girl.
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