 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
I Am the Messenger
- By Markus Zusak
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Lots of mature content in gritty tale; OK for older teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book is loaded with swearing and sexual references and fantasies. There are several bloody beatings, a husband rapes his wife, and characters smoke and drink to excess. But this well-written book, the winner of the 2003 Australian Children's Book Award for Older Readers, has a sweet message: When the slacker protagonist begins helping others, he finds new meaning in life -- and his relationships with his friends and relatives change. Teens may have fun discussing the book's themes (Is it possible to change other
people's lives for the better with simple acts? Is it possible to change your own?).
What's the story?
Ed is a loser. His friends are losers. He drives a cab, lives in a shack, hangs out, plays cards, gets drunk. His dog smells. His mother despises him. The girl he loves doesn't love him back. That's his life, until the day he accidentally captures a bank robber who's an even bigger loser. He has his five minutes of local fame, and is happy to go back to his slacker life. But a few days later the Ace of Diamonds arrives in his mailbox, with three addresses and times written on it. At each address and time Ed finds someone in need of help, some fun (an old lady who needs some company), some harder (a brutal man who abuses his wife). As he continues to receive clues about other people, he finds that his view of himself, and his relationships with his friends and relatives, are changing, but a mystery remains: Who is sending him these clues, and why? And how does this mystery person know so much?
Is it any good?
When it's good, it's very good. This award-winning novel about a slacker whose life is altered when he starts receiving mysterious playing cards in the mail has glimpses of brilliance. Aussie author Markus Zusak has that down-under way of being relaxed and hard-edged at the same time, allowing him to deal with some serious subject matter in a way that's both light and powerful. He also has a way of making his slacker characters so intelligent and appealing that it makes the reader wonder just what exactly is wrong with a life lived small and free of ambition. The resolution to the big mystery of who is sending the cards reads as if Zusak just couldn't figure out how to get out of the hole he'd dug for himself, so he just slapped this on. But if you can ignore the last 10 pages, this is a terrific, at times moving, and thought-provoking story that can lead readers to look at their own worlds in a slightly different way.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the author and his work. Markus Zusak also wrote the award winning book The Book Thief. I Am the Messenger is also an award-winner, having earned the Australian Children's Book Award for Older Readers. Why do you think Zusak's books appeal to critics and award committees? Does it make any difference to you if a book is well reviewed or wins awards?
Many reviews -- including this one -- criticized the book's ending. Why do you think so many reviewers found it disappointing? What did you think about it? Would you change it? How so?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
I am at a Loss for Words To Describe This Book's Brilliance
This is one of my favorite books. The message is powerful and very good. The main character, Ed, is funny and easy to relate to. This book has you in suspense, and you really want to find out what happens next. I would not recommend this book for anybody under at least 13. There is talk of sex, but not in explicit detail. There is violence, such as being threatened with a gun. there are also swears. I loved everything about this book, except the ending seemed a bit rushed. Definitely read this book, it's great.
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AGE
Amazing.
This book was absolutely amazing. It grabbed me from the first sentence. It really sends a positive message. I just wanted to keep reading, and reading, and reading...and all of a sudden I was done. The plot was exciting, suspenseful, and heart warming. It also has humor which I love. Recommend for ages 15+. Definitely one of the best books out there :)
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AGE
one of the best books ever
this book is hard to explain other then it is a great book there is many adult themes but this book is really good one of the stories is a old lady whos husband died and mistakes the main charater for him after reading to her a couple times she asks him if she was a good wife after reassuring her that she was she breaks down crying while this is sad she finally got the conculsion she wanted or when there is a girl who runs barefoot she is training for a race but she has very little selfconfidence he gives her an empty shoe box which doesnt make her win but she gives her oppent a run for her money all in all this book is great for anyone who is willing to read it
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AGE
Read it from a teen's view then think about it..
This book gives a real light on today's world. Parents who don't want their children reading this have sheltered them, and what good is that for your kids? I am the Messenger shows how people can change their own lives and the lives around them if they try.
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AGE
love it!
this book kept me awake, with it's constant twists and turns. It has an excellent plot, and incredible artistry. There's even a love story sort of thrown in there... but not in a discustingly mushy way. This book forces you to think about how much we really do.
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AGE
Amazing, Grasping, And Just a Thrill to READ
This book is a grasping good read that will get your attentions on the line from the beginning. And could never put this book down! definitively the best book i have read. :)
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AGE
Brilliant for 14+
I just recently read this book, and whilst it wasn't as good as Markus Zusak's "The Book Thief," I still thoroughly enjoyed it. There is no doubt that some of the themes in the book are quite confronting, however I wouldn't say that the majority of them are described in overly graphic detail. Mature children would be fine, but I would recommend that parents read it first. I think that despite these themes, the book has a positive message and is one of those that makes you reflect on life. At no time throughout the course of the story was I bored and I never felt as though I could predict what was going to happen next. The only problem I had was that the ending felt a little rushed, however others I know who read it felt that it suited the book perfectly - I guess it is a matter of taste! I found that some of the characters I could relate to easily, and others I felt as though weren't realistic, but it really depends on your lifestyle and outlook on life. There were several times throughout the book where I gave a little sigh of happiness and really felt a connection with the story. I really recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.
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AGE
perfect for grades 9-12 and older
i am reading this book in 10th grade English class and everyday i want to read ahead cause it is very interesting. i usually dont like reading but this book caught my attention, and held on through out. now granted the cover is stupid but the way the author puts it together makes this book fabulous! the readers can really relate to the characters cause honestly what 19 yr old knows exactly at there doing with there life!
read this book it will be worth it!
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AGE
Inspiring!
It was an awesome book and by FAR the best ive ever read. It really inspired me to dig deeper in life and see all the positives. Ive got all my friends to read it, although there is a bit of bad language and they are good role models, its an amazing book and gives a good moral to life. Reallly recommend!!
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AGE
i disagree what some people say about how all of the sex talking is bad, im 13 and i thought it was funny how he said some of the things he did. i loved this book.
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| Author: | Markus Zusak |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Publication date: | February 25, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 357 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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