Markus Zusak, bestselling author of The Book Thief and I Am the Messenger, almost slipped past our radar.  He's sneaking into town for the Highland Park Literary Festival – and that’s no small feat considering the steroidal pond he has to hop over on his way from Sydney, Australia.

The festival itself is put on predominately for Highland Park high schoolers.  If you're one of those, you're a lucky duck.  The workshops and supporting presenter list is fantastic.

For the rest of us who bid farewell to our teenage years a while ago, we can still catch Markus’s keynote speech during the Thursday night event.  It’s open to the public, and it’s free.  Who doesn’t like to hear that?

The details are as follows:

Thursday, February 21, 2013

6:30 p.m.: Sales of books authored by Markus Zusak and workshop presenters

7:00 p.m.: Keynote Speaker - Markus Zusak

Highland Park High School large auditorium.  (MAP)