Sally Murphy

Sally Murphy (born 1968) is an Australian children’s author and poet, who has had thirty books published, including verse novels, picture books, and educational titles.

Sally Murphy was born in Perth, the youngest of six children, and grew up in the southwest town of Collie. She started writing stories at a young age, entering local writing competitions throughout her childhood. After leaving school she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Western Australia and a Teaching Diploma at Edith Cowan University. She has worked as a teacher of high school English, and a range of primary school subjects including music, and also in other jobs including running a tourist information centre and working in local government.

Her first book, a book of printable educational activities, Speak Out, was published by Ready Ed Publications in 1997. Since then she has had thirty books published, including verse novels Pearl Verses the World (2009) and Toppling (2010), picture books, junior novels and educational titles.

Pearl Verses the World

• Winner, Children’s Book category, The Indie Award, 2009
• Shortlisted for the Indie Book of the Year Award, 2009
• Shortlisted for Children’s Book, Mary Ryan’s Award, Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards, 2009
• Shortlisted for Junior Category, Red Dot Book Award 2009-2010 (International School Libraries Network, Singapore)
• Shortlisted for WAYRBA (Western Australian Young Readers Book Award), Younger Readers Category, 2010
• Shortlisted for CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Awards, Young Readers Category, 2010