Zusak, M. (2002). I am the messenger.  New York: Macmillan Publishers.

Ed Kennedy is nineteen year old cab driver that lives his life without much meaning in this new adult book.  His friends consist of two guys who are constantly arguing and Audrey a girl he adores but will settle as a friend, they play cards most every night. This is the life of Ed, boring and humdrum until he almost by accident foils a bank robber. He is then thrust into helping people through messages that come on a playing cards in his mailbox. Clues left without much explanation compelling him to action.  At first, he decides to ignore them but as he looks up the addresses on the cards realizes only he can help these people.  Some of the cases that he has been chosen to be the messanger are putting Ed's life in danger but he must act to serve others.  Some addresses, the messanger connects with people through more mundane ways but each time making someone's life better.  Eventually he even is a messanger to his best friends, the messages become full circle and are somehow connected with the bank robbery at the beginning. Ed is a fun character and his friends are completely believable as they struggle through life.

This book is delightful and a little wicked, it is a laugh out loud book that speaks to the heart as well. The reader will identify with the stupidity and searching of this time period in most lives.  The in between phase of life after high school and early 20s. As he becomes the messanger to all different kinds of people, Ed changes and grows into someone deeper and more thoughtful.  It is changing Ed for the better.  Zusak wrote several other books including The Book Thief.  His writing style is fun and enjoyable like going on a ride with an old friend.  I believe this book is very translatable to Americans  and reads like a movie, the slang is minimal and easily understandable.  I recommend the audio book of I am the Messanger, Marc Aden Gray's easy manner and delivery is highly entertaining.