Markus Frank Zusak, born on 23 June 1975, is an Australian writer. He is best known for his novels The Book Thief and The Messenger, which became international bestsellers. Zusak has been recognized as one of the most successful authors from Australia, with his works translated into more than forty languages. His acclaimed books include The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry (also titled Getting the Girl), and I am the Messenger.

His novel, The Book Thief, spent over a decade on the New York Times bestseller list, achieving the number one position at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, as well as in various countries across South America, Europe, and Asia. Zusak received the Margaret Edwards Award in 2014, among various other literary honors and readers' choice awards.