The son of a German mother who witnessed WWII bombings, Markus Zusak grew up in Sydney, Australia hearing stories that later shaped The Book Thief, a modern classic and New York Times bestseller.
A former house painter and teacher, Zusak crafts moving stories in his distinctive style marked by poetic fragmentation and dark humour. He has won numerous awards, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in YA literature.
When not writing (a process he compares to "building a door and then trying to open it"), he mentors young authors and enjoys surfing.
The son of a German mother who witnessed WWII bombings, Markus Zusak grew up in Sydney, Australia hearing stories t