sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

What I Read in August

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Another month, another monthly roundup of my reading. 13 books this month, with a lot of variation. I shouldn’t pick a favourite – but have a look at number 7. I’m in a book! I’ll be posting more about this when it’s officially released.

Children’s Books

  1. No Words, by Maryam Master (Pan Macmillan, 2022). I was interested in this one because Aria, one of the characters, is a refugee who doesn’t speak at school – and this reminded my of Amed in my own book, Worse Things. I love seeing how other authors have tackled similar issues. But in Aria’s case, it gradually emerges that his not speaking is not so much a language issue as one of trauma – he is selectively mute.  I liked the blend of Aria’s story with  those of Jaz and Hero, who both have problems of their own.
  2. The Book of Wondrous Possibilities, by Deborah Abela (Penguin, 2022). I have been waiting for this book to come out, and can say that the wait was worth it. What a magical book. Arlo is fearful and, since the loss of his mother, sad, but when he discovers his mother has left him a book that has the magical ability to make his  story come true, he is swept into a battle to protect everything he loves.
  3. Alone, by Megan E. Freeman (Aladdin, 2022). I always love coming across a verse novelist (and, thus, a verse novel) that I’ve not encountered before. This is the story of a girl left completely alone after an unexpected evacuation of her whole state.  The poetic form is an excellent way of following her thought processes through some truly confronting experiences.
  4. The 156-Storey Treehouse, by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton (Pan, 2022). This came to me as a review copy, and I had fun checking out the latest instalment in this ever-growing treehouse, with its two inventive, and funny, residents.
  5. A is for Australian Reefs, by Frane Lessac (Walker Books, 2022). I love anything related to the ocean, and this book, by a talented friend a, is no exception. With both well- and lesser-known marine life featured, this is a delightful blend of facts and stunning art, bringing the reef to life.
  6. Respect, by Aunty Fay Muri & Sue Lawson, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy (Magabala, 2020). I knew of this book but had somehow never read a copy. I bought it after hearing the authors speak at the recent CBCA National Conference. What a wonderful, child-friendly way of explaining the concept of respect – for the land, for history, for culture, for each other, and for ourselves.
  7. How to be The New Person, by Anna Branford (Walker Books, 2022).  What to say bout this book? I suspect I will be posting more as I process the absolute wondrousness of this story – and of the absolute honour and excitement I felt when I realised the main character’s favourite book is one of my mine. All the feels!

 

Books for Young Adults

  1. The Farseekers, by Isobelle Carmody (Penguin, 1997).  Am gradually working my way through this series on audio, read by the author. Carmody’s world-building is amazing, and I am loving hearing her voice.

 

Books for Adults

  1. Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir (Random House, 2021). I don’t read a lot of sci-fi, but enjoyed this one, which I listened to on audio. From the author of The Martian, this one sees a lone astronaut, with amnesia, gradually come to realise that he is on a mission that could save the human race. I did occasionally find the science explanations a little daunting, but was impressed by the author’s obvious knowledge/research. And the story itself was excellent.
  2. The Mother, by Jane Caro (Allen & Unwin, 2022). Not necessarily an easy read, with the subject matter including coercive control, but really well written, making the important topic accessible., and making me want to keep reading.
  3. The Deceit, by Sara Foster (Audible, 2022). This was an Audible exclusive audiobook novella. I really enjoyed  it – which is a funny way of describing listening to a thriller which placed a family in a terrible situation.
  4. Blood & Ink, by Brett Adams (Fremantle Press, 2022). Another review copy, and one I might not have otherwise read. It took me a while – not because of the quality of the writing (which was good) but because I found it a bit stressful, to follow the trials of an academic who finds himself framed for a series of murders – which he is desperately trying to put a stop to.  Really gripping, and I was glad I stuck with it.

Non Fiction for Adults

  1. Thinking Big, by Zig Ziglar and others (AUdible). This is a compilation of chapters and extracts from various motivational/self help experts and was free from Audible. Some good reminders and nuggets of wisdom, and an excellent thing to listen to in bed (I don’t sleep well when away from home, and listening  helps).

 

 

This brings my total for the year to 117. I’m on track to make my target if I keep up this pace, but there are so many more books I want to get through.

 

What have you been reading?

April Reads

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Twenty books! I knew I had been doing a lot of reading in April but am still surprised with my month’s total. Some excellent reads, and a real range.

Books for Kids

 

  1. The Vexatious Haunting of Lily Griffin, by Paula Hayes, illustrated by Katy Jiang (Fremantle Press, 2022). A fun story of ghosts, family and friendship. There are some serious issues explored here – bullying, family violence and more – but also lighter moments, including a naughty ghost with a sweet tooth.
  2. Camp, by Kayla Miller (Walker Books, 2022). A lovely graphic novel about navigating the challenges of friendship in the setting of a holiday camp.
  3. Our Country: Ancient Wonders, by Mark Greenwood & Frane Lessac (Walker Books, 2022). I always love a book by this talented pair. This time the focus is on Australia’s ancient wonders, from dinosaur trails to meteorite craters, and more.
  4. The Bravest Word, by Kate Foster (Walker Books, 2022). This was lovely – the story of an 11 year old boy, Matt, who connects with,  and saves, a neglected dog while also finding a way to confront the depression which is gripping him. Beautifully wrought.
  5. Beaver Towers, by Nigel Hinton (Abelard, 1980). A cute story of a young boy whose kite whisks him away to a far away island where he must help  beavers, and other animals, take back their castle from a magic witch.
  6. Bush Magic, by Kylie Howarth (Walker Books, 2022). This delightful picture book is, as the name suggests, magic. An imaginative adventure  highlighting the bond between littles and grandparents. Love it!

Books for Young Adults

 

  1. Dear Nobody, by Berlie Doherty (Harper Collins, 1991). This one is a classic, but I hadn’t read it before and picked it up in an op shop a while back. The story of Chris and Helen who, in their final year of highschool, find their plans and dreams changed when Helen falls pregnant. Told mostly from Chris’s viewpoint, as well as through letters which Helen writes to her unborn baby. There was a lot to connect with here, as I was a young mother myself many moons ago.
  2. Frenchtown Summer, by Robert Cormier (Puffin Books, 1999). I only recently heard of this book, recommended by another verse novelist, and tracked down a copy . I did not know Robert Cormier had written in verse, but am glad now that I do know and have read this. Set in 1938 and following one summer in 12 year old Eugene’s life, with his relationship with his seemingly distant father being a core focus. The verse is beautiful and as haunting as the town (Frenchtown) and events.
  3. The Taking of Jake Livingston, by Ryan Douglass (Andersen Press, 2022). Not my usual cup of tea (sent to me as a review copy) – thriller with ghosts, ectoplasm, and lots of gore – but once I started I couldn’t put it down.  Jake can see ghosts and, chillingly, watches them replay their last living moments on a loop. He’s being targeted by the perpetrator of a recent school shooting, and it seems the ghost has plans for him. If that isn’t enough, he’s the only black kid at his school, and grappling with his sexual identify. That’s a lot, but it’s handled well, making the book very readable, if a little scary.
  4. The River and the Book, by Alison Croggon (Walker Books, 2015). I’m not sure why I hadn’t read this before, but am glad I now have. With elements of fable and magical realism, this is the story of the two treasures in Simbala’s life – the river, which flows through her village, and the Book, which guides the decisions of of the villagers.  But the river is affected by the actions of developers further upstream, and Sim, who is the Keeper of the Book, searches for answers, not knowing that the book itself is also threatened.
  5. Baby Love, by Jacqueline Wilson (Penguin, 2022). I spotted this in a bookshop and, having recently read Dear Nobody, was interested to see another take on the topic of teen pregnancy. I have to say that, having been a teen mother myself (at age 18), some of the events felt a bit close to home – but in the kind of way that made me (or my teen self)  feel seen. Set in 1960, with a 14 year old main character, Laura, this was a really moving take on the subject. I had to keep reading – started it late one night and finished it the next afternoon.
  6. How to Repaint a Life, by Steven Herrick (UQP, 2021). I adore Steven Herrick’s writing – he is, after all, one of the reasons I fell in love with the verse novel form. This one is not in verse, but it bears his trademark forthrightness. His characters and their lives are real and relatable, and I love getting to know them, even in the midst of their pain. This one is the story if Isaac, escaping his old life with an abusive father, and trying to find himself in a small town, where he meets Sophie, who wouldn’t mind a bit of change in her own life.
  7. White Rose, by Kip Wilson (Versify, 2019). A historical verse novel based on a true story, this one made me gasp with its subject matter and ability to make it so very real. The story of German student Sophie Scholl who, during World War 11 had the courage to speak out against the fascist regime in her  country.
  8. Dying to Tell Me, by Sherryl Clark (2014). One of my goals these past couple of years is to catch up on books by favourite authors. This is one of those – I am unsure why I hadn’t read this before,  but looking for something else I was reminded about this one and ordered it.  Sherryl is a really versatile author, and this one is part ghost story, part crime fiction and also explores the impact of family breakups. It makes for an absorbing blend.

Fiction for Adults

 

  1. After the Flood, by Dave Warner (Fremantle Press, 2022). This was a review copy and is not due for release till August. Set chiefly in and aroudn Broome, this is crime fiction with a bite – industrial espionage, protesters, grizzly deaths, and a gritty detective determined to  unravel the truth.
  2. The Valley of Fear, by Arthur Conan Doyle. I started working my way through the  collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, read by Stephen Fry, lats year, and am still going – after this one there are two more books to go.  I’m still enjoying them, and have to confess I’m a little sad to be coming to the end.

Nonfiction for Adults

 

  1. A Repurposed Life, by Ronni Kahn, with Jessica Chapnik Kahn (Murdoch Press, 2020). When I saw (on TV)  Ronni Kahn, the founder of the amazing Oz Harvest, speaking at the Press Club last month I straight away logged into Audible and bought and downloaded her book. I wasn’t disappointed. An amazing life, and lovely to hear it read by Ronni herself.
  2. Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, by David R. Hawkins (Audible). I listened to this as it was free in a two for one deal at Audible and I just chose something a little randomly to go alongside the book I wanted.  I’m a little bit torn about commenting on/sharing this book because it has some really good takeaways about (as the title suggest) letting go of negative emotions (not suppressing, but letting go) and the power of this for being happier and healthier. But there are some bits which I was quite trouble about, including parts where I felt there was some victim blaming – around illness , disadvantage and misfortune. For myself I was able to let these go and focus on the bits that were relevant and helpful.
  3. Able, by Dylan Alcott (Harper Collins/Bolinda Audio, 2019). This was a featured title on Audible this month, and I’m glad I chose to download it. Dylan, the current Australian of the Year is an inspirational, funny, open and big hearted person, and listening to his story read in his voice was a real treat.
  4. Letters from Robin, by Jon Appleton (Noble Books, 2022). I bought this one after reading about it in Magpies Magazine, and am glad I did. A biography of Robin Klein told from the perspective of Appleton, who wrote to Robin when he was eleven – and thus began a thirteen year correspondence with her. Appleton went on, while still at school, to establish and publish Rippa Reads, and then to work in publishing. This memoir of that friendship also traces Klein’s career, as well as giving a unique insight into the children’s book industry of the 1980s and 1990s. The only problem with reading this is that I know have a big list of books I want to read or reread.

 

So that’s what I read in April, bringing my total for the year to 44  – and 109 to go to reach my target, which seems a lot. But we shall see.

 

I’d love to hear what YOU have been reading.

Happenings at the Backyard Bookfair

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It’s always fun to get out and meet – and speak to – young readers. It’s an added bonus when I get to do with other authors and illustrators, which is just what happened on Saturday when I was part of the Backyard Bookfair at the State Library of WA.  Have a look at the program to see just how deep the talent pool was:

The theater was home to a series of shenanigans presentations, where we each had ten minutes to talk, present an activity, read, or whatever else took our fancy.

I had promised a craft activity, a promise that was made some time ago. And, although I did indeed deliver on this (see right for evidence of the wonderful threading of stars which took place), I also decided that what I do best  is words. SO, as well as the star activity, I wrote and performed a Christmas rap.  I had the audience participate in the chorus and it was a lot of fun.

So, if you’ve never heard me speak, or if you’ve ever wondered what I might sound like trying to rap, here’s the snippet my friend James Foley captured for me.

As well as rapping, I got to hang out with friends like Teena Raffa-Mulligan

and Frane Lessac:

I also met lots of young people and their parents, signed copies of Looking Up, and, of course, watched the other presenters.

Oh, and there were cupcakes!

What a wonderful day.  

PS

There are still 19 sleeps till Christmas. Plenty of time if you’d like to buy a book for the young reader in your life. If you’d like one of mine, signed and posted to you, contact me here. 

Teacher Tuesday: Do Not Forget Australia for Year 5 Classrooms

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Welcome to the second edition of Teacher Tuesday, where I match one of my books to a year level, and offer some activities for sharing the book in the classroom.

This week I’m focusing on one of my picture books: Do Not Forget Australia, With the centenary of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux to be marked on ANZAC Day 2018, this is a good time to connect with this book if you haven’t yet, or to revisit it if you have.

Using Do Not Forget Australia in a Year Five Classroom

Do Not Forget Australia, text by Sally Murphy, illustrations Sonia Kretschmar  Do Not Forget Australia

Published by Walker Books, 2012
ISBN: 9781921529863 (Hardcover)/ 9781922077097 (Paperback)
Format 32 page Picturebook, RRP $29.99 (Hardcover)/$16.99 (Papaerback)

Available from good bookstores or here.

Blurb: Henri lives in the French village of Villers-Bretonneux. Billy lives in Melbourne, Australia. These two little boys, who live thousands of miles away from each other, share one story that unites Villers-Bretonneux and Melbourne in history.

Sample Pages HERE
Publisher’s Teacher Notes HERE
Sally’s Recommended Grade Levels: Year 1-10, but these suggestions focus on Year5

Themes/Topics:

  • War
  • ANZAC Day
  • Friendship
  • Family
  • France
  • Australia
  • Victoria
  • Compassion
  • Mail

Curriculum Links:

Year 5 English

  1. Identify aspects of literary texts that convey details or information about particular social, cultural and historical contexts (ACELT1608)
  • Before Reading: Make predictions on time period and setting of the book based on title and front over.
  • During and After Reading: Focus on aspects of text and illustrations which show that the book is set in 1918 – including colour palette, clothing, transport, communication methods.
  • Questions: Why can’t the two boys meet in person?
    What is the connection between Henri and Billy?
  • Use internet sources (such as The Schoolhouse Museum) to compare school life today with that of 1918. Create a table which compares aspects including  classroom setup, size of classes, subjects taught, school attire, school rules, stationery used and more.
  • Writing: Rewrite your existing class rules as if it was 1918
  1. Recognise that ideas in literary texts can be conveyed from different viewpoints, which can lead to different kinds of interpretations and responses (ACELT1610)
  • During Reading (and on rereading): Discuss the changes in viewpoint – from Henri to Billy and back again. What visual cues are there for these shifts?  For example, examine the colour palette used in the illustrations
  • After Reading: Discuss why the author might have chosen to use two viewpoints rather than one?  Why use third person voice rather than first person? Why tell a war story from the viewpoint of children rather than from, say, a soldier, or adult from the village.?
  • In Groups: Each group to work through the text, focussing on how we learn what the adults are feeling. – half the groups to focus on Billy’s Dad, the other groups on Henri’s Mum.  Report back and discuss.
  • Writing: Tell the story from the point of view of one of the adult characters OR in the first person voice of one of the children.
  • Write the postcard that Billy receives from his father. There is a printable stencil for this activity HERE.
  1. Use comprehension strategies to analyse information, integrating and linking ideas from a variety of print and digital sources (ACELY1703)
  2. Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive print and multimodal texts, choosing textstructures, language features, images and sound appropriate to purpose and audience (ACELY1704)
  • Recap: From reading the story, what do students know about the battle of Villers-Bretonneux and the rebuilding of the school?
  • Give students a blank table, or have them create one, with three columns: Story, Back of Book Notes, Video.  Provide some subheadings: Dates, Key Events etc. Have them note what they know about the key events of 1918 from the fictional story. Then read the back of book notes, with students using the second column to note any new facts. In groups, students can then examine the back of book notes themselves and add any facts they may have missed. Lastly, have them watch a video about the events – there are several on Youtube, including this one  , which is made by a young researcher.  Again, have students complete the table.
  • Discuss: Which source provided the most information? Which was the most entertaining? Which one helped them to connect with the people involved?
  • Writing Ideas: Write a recount of the events of  the battle of Viilers-Bretonneux, OR the destruction and rebuilding of the school, using notes.
  • Write two news reports which Billy might have read: One reporting on the Battle, and the other reporting on the reopening of the School

Other suggestions for using Do Not Forget Australia in your classroom include:

  • Explore transport and communication – comparing 1918 to 2017/18 – look at items including time to travel between Australia and France, modes of transport, forms of communication (telephone/email/mail/internet/television/telegram)
  • Life stories: research the story of one Australian soldier in WW1
  • Art:  Experiment with using different colour palette for different moods and time periods.
  • Writing: Tell the story of another historical event through the eyes of a fictional child character
  • Email the author (that’s me!) Your students can write to me through this website, and share their responses or ask questions.

Related Books

Mostly, I’d love to remind you that while I love to see my books used in classrooms, I also love to see kids just enjoying them. Reading a book should be pleasurable – whether it’s being used in the classroom or not.  So allow your students to enjoy reading Do Not Forget Australia.

If you find this useful, or have any suggestions or comments, do leave a comment. And, if there is a particular book or year level or topic that you would like covered in a future edition of Teacher Tuesday, let me know.

The Publication Process

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On Saturday my lovely friend Frane Lessac and I spoke about getting published as part of the Mundaring Arts Centre’s Heartlines Festival. here we are – with me in full flight explaining something and Frane looking on, waiting for her chance to say something clever.

 

Anyway, inspired by this, yesterday I blogged over at the Christchurch Kids blog about the steps involved in the publicaton of a book, and today I thought it might be worth reposting that post here.  So, here goes:

Yesterday I drove up to Mundaring, a little community just outside of Perth, where my friend, artist Frane Lessac, and I spoke to a group of people about how to get published. It was a really fun session, with Frane and me each sharing our journey to publication and then talking about the dos and don’ts of getting published.
When I sat down to blog today I thought it might interest YOU to know just how a book gets published. So, here goes.
First, long before a book is something  I can hold in my hands or tell the whole world about or even read, it is just an idea. My ideas come from all over the place – from things I see, things that have happened to me, things I read about, or silly ideas which just come to me.
When I get an idea and decide to write about it, the next thing I do is plan my story. Usually the plan happens in my head – I spend a lot of time thinking about who my main character will be, and what will happen to him/her, and I work out what the main conflict or problem will be, and how it will be resolved at the end.
Once I have a pretty fair idea of what is going to happen in my new story, I write the first draft. This might take only minutes, if it is a picture book or short piece, or days and months if it is longer, but I do try to get the whole  first draft written as quickly as possible before I get distracted by the next big idea.
Once that first draft is written, I put it away. I don’t reread it it, or share it with anyone for as long as I can stand. This creates distance between me and the story, and means that  when I get it back out a month or more later, I am able to see what needs to be fixed – as well as what works, of course. Then I rewrite and edit and rewrite and edit and tinker until the story is as perfect as I can make it. Sometimes this takes many many months, or even years until I am happy with a story.
But, eventually  my story is ready to submit and I send it off to a publisher. Sometimes, the story comes back to me with a letter saying it won’t be published (there are lots of reasons for this) but other times, thankfully, I get a phonecall or email from the publisher to say they will publish my book.
That’s when the hard works starts, because no matter how good I thought the story was when I submitted it, now I have to work with an editor to make it even better.  And sometimes this can take a lot of phonecalls, emails and, of course, writing sessions. – which can take months.
When the text is finalised, the  publisher chooses an illustrator, who then works on the illustration in consultation with the editor. I don’t tell the illustrator what to draw or how to draw it, though I do get shown initial sketches and have the opportunity to provide feedback.
When the illustrations are finished (which can again take months and months or oven years) , the publisher puts words and pictures together and the book is finally ready to be printed.
Then, at least a year after I had that first idea – but usually two or more years – the postman brings me a parcel, with copies of the new book for me to enjoy, and copies of the book are then available in bookstores and libraries for people to read.
It’s a long process –  Head Hog took six years to finally be published – but when I hold a new book in my hands for the first time I always feel  really proud.

sallymurphy.com.au