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, being the youngest of four children, Markus was sometimes the forgotten child alongside his brother ("My Life"). Growing up in a family where both older siblings were idolized, led to certain actions that he and his older brother engaged in. Some of these actions included stealing street signs, store signs and playing at the local dog track (Underdogs). Both brothers also had a lot of problems at school with other students. These actions caused Markus to not focus on his studies, but instead to be the "tough guy" at school and in the neighborhood. By carrying out these actions, Markus was considered a bad influence among the neighborhood children ("Biography of Markus Zusak"). However, being known as a bad influence didn't sit well with him. To win the title, Markus and his brother joined a fight club. Here Markus was able to begin his journey of self-discovery 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. Now thirty-nine years old, Markus Zusak has written only five books during his career. With his books garnering widespread praise, Markus has won numerous writing honors abroad and at home. In his home country of Australia, Markus Zusak won the Ethel Turner Award, Book of the Year Award, Children's Book of the Year Award, Ena Noel Award, Book of the Year Award honor and the Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book Prize. ..... in the middle of a sheet ...... this is the book that means everything to me. (The Book Thief) The three books written by Markus Zusak follow the same pattern of life experiences he encountered and the struggle he went through to discover who he really is in life. Recently, in an interview conducted by Mother Daughter Book Club, Markus Zusak, 35, said that although he received help from his wife and extended family, he now struggles with this problem (Mother Daughter Book Club). He also says that if he hadn't joined the fight club as a young adult with his brother, he wouldn't be in the same position as he is today of almost achieving that goal. By writing books about his struggle in 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..