I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
5-star review by Jolie, 9th grade
Plot Summary
I Am the Messenger follows a chaotic series of events, following Ed Kennedy, a 19-year-old cab driver. Ed Kennedy, the loser and embarrassment that he is, is given the chance to make something out of his lonesome life. After somehow stopping a bank robbery from happening, Ed starts finding playing cards with ominous clues on them, relating to different people in different areas. Some are addresses, some are just names, and some are poems. What Ed must do to help these people ranges from simply talking to them to getting beat up by teenage boys. As Ed progresses through each of the cards, he learns more and more about himself, his friends, and how love can go a long way. Not only that, but Ed must face his biggest challenge: being a nobody.
Personal Review
Honestly, this book does a very good job of detailing and telling its story. Its setting in suburban Australia makes everything seem busier and more real. The characters are also well-written and developed. As a reader, I feel for Ed Kennedy, a hopeless and lost teenager. His life is sad and lonely, and he's faced with a large responsibility once he starts receiving the cards. He feels as if he is a nobody, and for most of the story, it's proven that he isn't really anything special. He's not supposed to be some great hero, but there's a sort of beautiful feeling that the book portrays once Ed realizes what he can do with his life, other than just be a nobody. One of my favorite parts is how diverse and creative the characters that Ed helps are, and just how far kindness and love can go for someone. It's a very optimistic story, but honestly, it's needed. I loved how much this story uses love and its rewards to help shape its plot.
Book Tags
Moving, love, funny, emotional
Similar Reads
The Perks of Being a Wallflower