Markus Zusak is the author of several books, but he’s probably best known for The Book Thief, which has sold 16 million copies worldwide, is published in 42 foreign language territories, and has spent over 500 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

It’s been 13 years since The Book Thief was published. And now Zusak has a new book that he thinks is even better: Bridge of Clay, a sweeping family saga about five boys who raise each other, in a way, after their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance.

KMUW's Beth Golay spoke with Markus Zusak just prior to the book’s release about his latest work and its history.

Here's the conversation: