I am the messenger by Markus Zusak - 2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

I am the Messenger

"So which one of you is Ed?"
"Him," I answer, pointing to Marv.
"Oh no you don't," Marv counters, and I can tell by the look on his face that he isn't as afraid as he should be. He knows we'd both be dead by now if this gunman was the real thing. He looks up at the stocking-faced man and says, "Hang on a sec... " He scratches his jawline.
"You look familiar."

"Okay," I admit, "I'm Ed." But the gunman's too busy listening to what Marv has to say for himself.

"Marv," I whisper loudly, "shut up."
"Shut up, Marv," says Audrey.
"Shut up, Marv!" calls Ritchie from across the room.
"Who the hell are you?" the gunman calls across to Ritchie. He turns to find out where the voice came from.
"I'm Ritchie."

"Well, shut yourself up, Ritchie! Don't you start!"
"No worries, " returns the voice. "Thanks a lot."

This scene is followed by Ed commenting on his friends as being

1. idiots
2. brave
3. smart arses
4. the best friends ever

"All my friends seem to be smart arses. Don't ask me why. Like many things, it is what it is.'

What problem does the bank robber have (besides hardly being able to control his hostages)

1. He doesn't get any money
2. The bank manager phones the police
3. He loses control and kills Marv
4. His getaway car is gone

'He looks closer.

Out of the glass doors of the bank.

A slab of sweat falls from his throat.
He breathes hard.

His thoughts churn, and...
He goes off.

"No!"
The police are outside, but they have no idea what's happening in the bank. Word hasn't made it to the street yet. They're telling someone in a gold Torana to stop double-parking outside the bakery across the road. The car moves on and so do the cops, and the useless gunman is left holding the bag of money. His ride's gone.'

effect sentence structure?

How does the bank robber solve this problem?

1. He takes Ed's taxi
2. He takes Marv's car
3. He uses Audrey as a hostage
4. He leaves the bank shooting at the police

'An idea hits him.
He turns again.

Back to us.
"You," he orders Marv. "Give us your keys."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"It's an antique, that Car!"
"It's a piece of shit, Marv," I abuse him. "Now give him the keys or I'll kill you myself!"'

Does the gunman esape with Marv's car?

1. Yes, he does.
2. Hell no
3. He gets away at first, but is caught by the police eventually

'As we all get to our knees to watch him, we see him approaching the car.

"Watch this." Marv begins to laugh. Audrey, Marv and I all watch, and Ritchie's on his way over to us.

Outside the gunman stops and tries to work out which key opens the car. That's when we all crack up laughing at the incompetence of him.

He eventually gets in and tries to start the car countless times, but it never kicks over.'

On his way out the gunman has

1. dropped the gun
2. dropped the car keys at least twice
3. no idea what he is doing

What does Ed do at the end of the first part?

Did you enjoy reading the first part of I am the Messenger?

Yes, I did

No, I didn't

It was okay

Not too bad

Why?

Your thoughts on Ed

Will you continue reading the story?

Yes

Nope

I think so

I don't think so

Next lesson

Introduction Noughts and Crosses (3rd book)

Now we will read the Emilia Earhart story on p. 11 (Stepping Stones)

If you want to read it together with me. Stay.
If not, start your homework:
Reading: What happened to Amelia Earhart
Study vocabulary A1&2
Do assignments 11 & 14 (Stepping Stones p. 12-15)
Next time: vocab practice + start Noughts and Crosses