It’s Poetry Friday – and what a Friday it is, because it’s also the release day of my brand new verse novel Worse Things. Over the past three weeks I have loved sharing with readers new and not so new my previous three verse novels. It’s been lots of fun rediscovering those book babies, and the culmination of that sharing is the opportunity to now introduce you to Worse Things.
First, the stunning cover, designed and illustrated by the amazing Sarah Davis. 
There is a lot happening in this cover – which is perfect, because there is a LOT happening in this book. Sarah has captured key aspects of the story, and of each of three viewpoint characters. If you’ve been following my readalong, or know my work, you’ll note that this cover is very different than those of my previous verse novels. That’s because this one is a bit different than the others – it’s for a slightly older audience, and has three viewpoint characters rather than one, for starters.
Intrigued? Want to know more? It is such lovely weather here in my part of Australia at the moment that I thought I’d sit on my patio and chat about the book.
If you look verrrry closely you might see I am wearing special earrings – I have a thing about finding earrings to match each new book. In one ear is a soccer ball, and in the other crossed hockey sticks. I’ve ordered some football ones too, but they are yet to arrive – but when they do, I’ll have a problem – three different earrings, only two ears! Maybe I’ll get my nose pierced (not!).
Want a taste of the book? Here’s chapter one:
And, because it’s poetry Friday, I thought I’d share one of the poems for you. This is one of several ‘definition’ poems scattered throughout the book. Because Amed is learning English, the idea came to me to define some of the key words, as if they are in the dictionary. This is the first one, which you’ll hear in the video, too.
BROKEN
[bro*ken] (adj)
Ruptured
torn
fragmented.
No longer whole
or functioning.
In need of repair.
(Copyright Sally Murphy, 2020)
This poem comes after Blake breaks his arm but, as you might sense just from chapter one, each of the three characters is a little bit broken, so it seems really apt to include this poem.
Worse Things is, as I said, out now and, if you’re in Australia available from all good bookstores. If you can’t get to a bookstore, or are not based in Australia, it is available online.
Thanks for dropping in on this auspicious day. If you would like to join in the celebration on social media, you can use the hashtags #worsethings and #readwithsally on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
And now, I encourage you to head off and see what other poetry goodness is available this Poetry Friday. The roundup is being hosted by Elizabeth Steinglass who, coincidentally, is sharing soccer poems.
Have a wonderful Friday. I know I will – not only is it my book birthday, but it’s also my mum’s birthday – happy birthday Mum!
Woo hoo! Congratulations and Happy Book Birthday! I love that cover and am very intrigued to learn what else happens.
Thank you Kay. I really am delighted with the cover.
Congratulations and happy birthday to your book and your mum, Sally! It sounds like an intriguing story. (I love books with more than one POV.) Looking forward to reading!
Thank you Michelle. Yes, I always love multi voice novels. It’s not my first attempt at writing one, but it is my first published one.
Happy Book Birthday and Mum’s birthday, Sally. I enjoyed listening to your videos about the three-point of view perspective and especially liked the verse poem, Broken. I left an Instagram message for you. Best of luck with the book. It seems to be a winner for intermediate grade readers.
Thank you Carol for dropping in here AND on insta. I do hope it reaches those readers Carol – it’s an age group I love to connect with.
Congratulations Sally on the release of ‘Worse Things.’. Can’t wait to obtain a copy from my local bookshop. Thank you for the video synopsis. Life, sport, challenges and connection- some vital ingredients included here. Always a joy to launch a new book. Well done!
Congratulations Sally on the release of ‘Worse Things.’. Can’t wait to obtain a copy from my local bookshop. Thank you for the video synopsis. Life, sport, challenges and connection- some vital ingredients included here. Always a joy to launch a new book. Well done!
Thanks so much Alan. A joy indeed, and to have so many friends form near and far celebrate with me is special.
Happy Birthday to you and your Mum. And thanks for your enthusiastic sharing about your book. So intriguing!
Thank you Karen!
Thanks for inviting us under your veranda for celebrating the Birthday of “Worse Things” and your Mum–what a lovely and inviting setting! I love your cover–so many layers there that I want to find out about. Your book reminds me of a series I’ve been watching, “The English Game” which is about soccer but then as your book too, so much more… Looking forward to finding your book from my local book shop, many congrats!
Thank you Michelle. I will keep an eye out for The English Game.
Congratulations on your book birthday!
Thanks Mary Lee!
I just read Pearl Verses the World. Prudence is a funny character and I thought the story was so well told. Now I’m intrigued with Worse Things. I was hooked by your first chapter and definitely wanted to hear more.
Thank you so much for reading Pearl and sharing your thoughts, Janice. And thanks for dropping in to celebrate Worse things.
Happy birthday to both your book and your mom! Love your Broken poem, and I was tickled to hear about your earrings. I do the same thing, but the first time I wore my loon earrings (to celebrate my book that came out this week), I lost one down the drain :>( Better luck with yours!
Oh so sorry about your Loon earrings. That happened to me with a special book earring last year.But congratulations on your new book!
Congratulations on Worse Things birthday, Sally & Happy Birthday to your mum, too. I hope it was a wonderful day! I loved seeing and hearing you, made you feel closer! I’ll put your book on my list & see if I can get it soon! Happy May!
Thank you Linda – and happy May to you too!
Happy Book Birthday, Sally! Enjoyed both videos — sounds like you have another winner with Worse Things! BTW, love your earrings and polka dot eyeglasses. 🙂
Thanks Jama. I love to find earrings that match my books. Not sure if these are clear – but one ear is hockey sticks and the other a soccer ball. the football ones only arrived after I’d made the video, which isn’t a bad thing as I only have two ears, lol.
And of course you know that because it was in my post. DUh! Sorry.
Congratulations! I’m sold! Going to order this from my local independent book store!
Thanks Liz and thanks again for hosting Poetry Friday this week.
Oh, perfect. I came from Liz’s blog to yours. Surrounded by soccer – and great poetry… and readings! I look forward to seeing/reading it in its entirety, Sally. (I am sure tissues will be needed – as they always are, with you!) Congratulations. xx
Thank you gorgeous Kat and fellow verser.
Many Congratulations, Sally! Your joy is contagious. I’m thrilled to see a new verse novel for our world. Yes, verse novels ARE the best. It’s wonderful to join you on your patio to hear about ‘Worse Things.’ I KNOW that the cover itself is going to draw kids to the book (I wish that wasn’t as important as it is…but this cover is spectacular and so fitting for teens. You must be so pleased with it.) I’m not sure how to get Worse Things for my middle school readers…but I’m sharing your news on my school library blog anyway! Enjoy the day, Sally.
Thank you for being so enthusiastic in your response, Linda. And yes, the cover is wonderful. Sarah, the illustrator, is just a genius.
Congratulations brilliant woman – you and Mum on the Busselton Jetty train?!Mary
Thanks gorgeous. Yes on the jetty a couple of years ago.
Congratulations Happy birth day Worse Things. Happy Birthday to your Mum.
Thank you Mary xx
Terrific photo of you with your mum! Happy birthday to her and Worse Things! The cover is so intriguing, and so is the poem.
Thank you Tabatha. I feel like your comment came in in the middle of the night because it was there when I woke up this morning. But I guess it wasn’t the middle of the night where you are 🙂