Best known for his book The Book Thief, Australian author Markus Zusak has been writing for young adults since the age of seventeen (Grade Saver). Born in Melbourne, Australia, to German and Austrian immigrants, Markus Zusak lived a very humble and quiet life. However, as the youngest of four brothers, Markus was sometimes the forgotten child alongside his brother ("My Life"). Growing up in a family where the two older brothers were idolized, led to some actions that he and his older brother got into. Some of these actions involved the theft of street signs, shop signs and gambling at the local track (Underdogs). The two brothers also had many problems at school with other students. These actions led Markus not to focus on his studies but to focus more on being the "tough guy" at school and in the neighborhood. By doing these actions, Markus was considered a bad influence on the neighborhood children (“Markus Zusak Biography”). Being known as a bad influence, however, did not sit well with him. To tackle the title, Markus and his brother joined a Fight Club. Here Markus was able to begin his journey to find himself through writing. Inspired by The Old Man and the Sea, Markus Zusak began his writing career at the age of seventeen when he joined a Fight Club with his brother. Today, at the age of thirty-nine, Markus Zusak has written only five books in his entire career. With his books receiving much praise, Markus has earned numerous recognitions as a writer abroad and at home. In his home country of Australia, Markus Zusak has won the Ethel Turner Award, The Book of the Year Award, The Children's Book of the Year Award, the Ena Noel Award, the Honor Book Award and also the Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book Award. ..... middle of paper ... is the book that means everything to me.” (The Book Thief) All three books written by Markus Zusak follow the same pattern of life experiences he encountered and the struggle he faced to discover who he truly is in life. Recently in an interview conducted by the Mother Daughter Book Club, Markus Zusak, 35, says that although he has received help from his wife and extended family, he is struggling with this problem today (Mother Daughter Book Club). He also says that if it weren't for joining Fight Club as a young adult with his brother, he wouldn't be in the same position he is in today, nearly achieving that goal. By writing books about his struggle for life, Markus Zusak was able to get closer and closer to his ultimate goal of finding himself and helping others find themselves too, just like the title of the book I Am the Messenger.