Underdogs 12+

About this book

From the bestselling author of The Book Thief.

Before The Book Thief, Markus Zusak wrote a trilogy of novels about the Wolfe brothers: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and Getting the Girl. Gritty, funny, and at times heartbreaking, these novels form the early work of an author who would go on to receive worldwide acclaim as an exciting new voice in young adult literature. We're proud to present these novels together for the first time, and to be introducing American readers to The Underdog, never before published in the United States. Fans of The Book Thief won't want to miss reading the novels that started Markus Zusak's career.

Reviews

"Zusak's popularity is well-deserved. He writes emotionally engaging stories with understated humor and a bittersweet style that refuses to play by straightforward grammatical rules. His earliest published works share many of the same stylistic hallmarks and themes of belonging and survival." -- Los Angeles Times

"With this compilation release of The Underdog, the rough-and-tumble adventures of the Wolfe brothers are finally all assembled. Zusak's stunning use of language and rich character development are present, while the introduction of the family framework provides additional understanding for the sibling dynamic in the later stories. . . . Appealing to fans and providing an entry point for fresh readers, this is a much-appreciated addition to the Wolfe brothers' canon." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Markus Zusak

"The Book Thief will be appreciated for Mr. Zusak's audacity, also on display in his earlier I Am the Messenger. It will be widely read and admired because it tells a story in which books become treasures. And because there's no arguing with a sentiment like that.”– New York Times Book Review

“Zusak doesn't sugarcoat anything, but he makes his ostensibly gloomy subject bearable the same way Kurt Vonnegut did in Slaughterhouse-Five: with grim, darkly consoling humor.” – Time Magazine


Praise for Fighting Ruben Wolfe

“Zusak debuts with an intense tale about boxing, brotherly solidarity, and searching for self-respect. . . . Engrossing.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Zusak's first-person narrative is electrifying. . . . Coarse and poetic at the same time, the power of Zusak's prose and vivid imagery will continue to reverberate long after the last punch is thrown.” – Teenreads.com

Praise for Getting the Girl

“Zusak uses simple but poetically poignant language to convey Cam's inner teenage turmoil, confusion, and heartache. This highly recommended novel is a sad, funny, loving, and ultimately heartwarming coming-of-age story.” – Voice of Youth Advocates

“The extravagant prose does work well in describing the relationship between Cam and Octavia, demonstrating the often-ignored fact that teenage boys also fall breathlessly and heart-stoppingly in love.” – The Horn Book