I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger

By Markus Zusak

Published by: Alfred A. Knopf

Summary: Ed Kennedy didn't really intend to stop that bank robber, but now that he has he's started recieving playing cards in the mail. All of them aces, and they have stuff written on them too. He figured out eventually that they were clues to different people that needed help, and somebody thought he was the right person to do it. Some of the tasks he finds daunting--how can he stop a man from raping his wife while their child cries on the porch outside? While other tasks are easier, even enjoyable. Helping a loving family by buying beautiful Christmas lights for them. Ed finds satisfaction out of all these good deeds, still he wonders though, who is behind all this? Why have they chosen him? And what clues will the next Ace hold?

Personal Review: It was hard for me to get past the first chapter for some reason, but once I did I couldn't put the book down. I loved wondering at what the next task would be and felt the satisfaction of accomplishment when Ed found a creative way to carry it out. Ed started out as just a regular kid, just 19 years old, and doesn't find it easy to do all these things. It inspires me to step outside my bubble a little more to help a person.