After recently finishing “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak, I was happy to come across an interview with him in a recent issue of “School Library Journal.” Zusak has won the 2014 Margaret A. Edwards Award recognizing his “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.” Zusak has said that he is doubly honored by this award because its first recipient was S.E. Hinton, whose books inspired him to be a writer.
Zusak started to write at a young age and had the opportunity to grow as a writer. He believes that a writer always has to try to improve because that’s what you do to stay alive in the field. His first attempts at writing were when he was 16 and 17 years of age. He is so glad that they were not published because they were too much life his idol, Hinton. “You start writing by imitating your heroes.” As time goes by he has said you develop your own voice because so many other things influence you.
Zusak’s newest book is called “Bridge of Clay.” The story is about Clay who is building a bridge. The novel is about family and what happened to his main character in the past.
This easy reader series by Stephanie Greene appeals to young readers for its simple black and white illustrations that appear on almost every two-page spread- breaking up the text and making young children beginning to read feel accomplished and entertained. The language is recommended for ages 6 and up. The title obviously is catchy and my daughter is enjoying them and also feeling like she is reading a chapter book (which she is, albeit, an early/emerging reader). This would be a possible good purchase for our Easy reader section. 
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