Born January 1, 1975, Markus Zusak grew up to be one of the more popular young adult authors of the last ten years. Zusak was born to a German mother and an Austrian father in Sydney, Australia. He is the baby of his family, being the youngest of four children.
Zusak's Childhood
Throughout his childhood in Australia, Zusak was often told stories about his family's years in Germany. He was told about family members living through World War II. He heard stories of Nazi Germany, of the bombings of Munich and of Jews being marched through the city. He later decided to use many of these stories to inspire him to write his biggest success, The Book Thief.
The Book Thief
Set in Nazi Germany, Zusak's most popular book follows one girl, Leslie Meminger as she comes into her own during one of the most tumultuous times in the history of the world. She finds comfort in her new foster home through her new father's midnight reading lessons. However her new family was far too poor to buy her books to read. Her new father was a house painter, who had a difficult time finding business, and her new mother did laundry for some of the more wealthy famlilies around town. So Leslie simply took matters into her own hands - and books as well.
She stole her first book at her brother's funeral, The Grave Digger's Handbook, and it was in this book that she first learned to read. This crime, however, would not be her last. Not only did she go on to steal other books, but she even dipped her hand into other types of stealing. As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to many new and memorable characters, like Leslie's friend Rudy, the mayor's wife, and Max Vandenberg, the Jew trying to avoid attention.
Zusak's Awards
Not only is Zusak a best-selling author, but also a multi-award-winning author. He has won the following awards:
- 2003 New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature 2003 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award
- 2005 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year-Children
- 2006 Kathleen Mitchell Award for Literature
- 2006 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
- 2006 Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book
- 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book
- 2008 Ena Noel
Zusak's Books
- The Underdog - 1999
- Fighting Ruben Wolfe - 2001
- The Messenger - 2002
- When Dogs Cry - 2002
- The Book Thief - 2006
Zusak currently resides with his wife and daughter in Sydney where he has taken up surfing. Hopefully he will continue to write for many years to come.
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