Zusak markus biography templates

Skip the typical Markus Zusak introduction lecture as you launch a study of The Book Thief (or any of Zusak’s other novels) and, instead, empower students to find their own interesting facts about this author’s life with this “Author Bio” print/post-and-teach activity.

This single-page worksheet (includes printable PDF and Google Drive versions) is a powerful research organizer that’ll get students digging deep into Zusak’s background.

Please note: This download does NOT include a specific article or links to defined articles. It is an organizer tool for students to use as they conduct their own research. In my experience, students take more ownership of the material when they are the ones to research and discover the elements that make a literary figure’s life fascinating. They’ve seen enough of our introductory slideshows; this time, let your kids do the work and discuss/determine what they think is meaningful about this author’s life.

Here are a few suggested uses for this flexible research tool:

1. Book your school’s computer lab or have students access Markus Zusak’s biography information on their own devices. Assign students to either work solo or in teams of two. Once the grids are complete, have students share and compare answers in small groups, focusing on the four interesting facts they discovered, the meaningful quote, and the personal/professional obstacle. Then, pull the students into a full-class discussion, having each group present an interesting fact, quote, or obstacle until every team has contributed. No repeats allowed.

This assignment works great as an “into” activity, but it could also be a “through” activity to add variety to your in-class routine as you work through a longer work. If you’re using this as an “after” activity, during the discussion I would also ask how any of the biography elements are reflected in the author’s work/s the class just studied.

2. Assign the worksheet as a traditional homework assignment. Launch the disc

Every reader has that book that makes them remember why reading is so special. For me, it is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I read it for the first time in middle school for a class project, and my life changed forever. There are so many things about this book that make it great, from the characters to the storyline. Overall, it’s a must-read. However, there is more to Zusak than just one book. Here’s what you should know about this fantastic writer.

Markus Zusak’s Backlist

It is safe to say Markus Zusak has earned his credibility as a talented author. He has six books under his belt, all of which have been met with praise. His first three releases (The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and When Dogs Cry) is a young adult series that follows teenage brothers and their tribulations with their family. Themes of fitting in and a struggle to grasp one’s identity are seen throughout these stories. In 2011, Zusak published the three as an anthology called Underdogs, bringing the stories to American readers for the first time.

Zusak’s next major hit was The Messenger, or I Am The Messenger in the U.S. Released in 2002, The Messenger won an accolade of awards, including the 2006 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book. Additionally, the story has been adapted as a play and a 2023 TV show. The story opens with a taxi driver, Ed Kennedy, stopping a robbery which then involves him in a game with the convicted robber. Ed plays the game, going to various addresses in the city and becoming acquainted with neighborhood figures in an attempt to recognize his potential.

Most recently, Zusak released Bridge of Clay, a story about brothers who come together after their father disappears. Altogether, it is about relationships. The book has an ensemble cast of characters with fascinating pasts and connections tied together strategically; so strategic that it took Zusak twent