Pearl Verses the World
illustrated by Heather Potter
Published by Walker Books Australia, 2009 and
Candlewick USA, 2011

At school, Pearl feels as though she is in a group of one. Her teacher wants her to write poems that rhyme but Pearl's poems don't. At home, however, Pearl feels safe and loved, but her grandmother is slowly fading, and so are Mum and Pearl. When her grandmother eventually passes away, Pearl wants life to go back to the way it was and refuses to talk at the funeral. But she finds the courage to deliver a poem for her grandmother that defies her teacher's idea of poetry – her poem doesn't rhyme; it comes from the heart.

Available in good bookstores or buy online: Australian edition or US edition.

Teacher's notes for Pearl verses the World are also available on the Walker Books website.

Awards

Winner of the Children's Book category in the Indie Awards, 2009.
Shortlisted in the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards, 2009.
Honour Book in the CBCA Children's Book of the Year Awards, 2010
Winner Upper Primary category Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year 2010
Winner Junior Judges Children's Choice Award (Younger Readers), 2010
Winner, Hoffman Award, WAYBRA Awards 2010
Winner Victorian Family Therapist's Award for Children's Literature, 2010

Pearl
Illustrated by Heather Potter
Published by Walker Books UK, 2010

Don't be fooled by the different cover and title - this is actually the same book as Pearl Verses the World. If you are in the UK, this is the version you will find in bookstores, or online here.

Toppling
illustrated by Rhian Nest James
Published by Walker Australia 2010 and
(in production) Candlewick US in 2012

John is obsessed with dominoes, but not with playing the traditional game. Instead, he is obsessed with toppling. He spends hours setting up spirals, ramps, patterns and lines of dominoes all for that satisfying topple. Beginning with a small push in the right direction, everything falls as it is meant to. When John's friend Dom falls sick and is diagnosed with cancer, it is John and his friends' worlds that fall apart. Can they face Dom and support him through this uncomfortable illness? It's hard for all at first but John and his friends find a way to comfort Dom and laugh with him again. They even find support and understanding from an unlikely source within their class, the school bully.

Available from good bookstores or online here.

Teacher's notes for Toppling are available on the Walker Books website.

Awards

Winner of the Mary Ryan's Award (Children's Book) in the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards 2010
Winner of the Children's Book Category in the WA Premier's Book Awards, 2010
Shortlisted CBCA Children's Book of the Year Awards, 2011
Winner CBCA Junior Judges Project (Younger Readers), 2010

John and Dom
illustrated by Rhian Nest James
Published by Walker UK, 2011

Again, don't be fooled by the different cover and title - this is actually the same book as Toppling. If you are in the UK, this is the version you will find in bookstores, or online here.

The Big Blowie
Published by Aussie Schoolbooks 2009

Every afternoon, tourists visit beautiful Lake Blowie. They have afternoon tea at Syd's place and buy postcards and souvenirs. But the drought has made the lake dry up. The tourists have stopped coming. A new attraction is needed — and Syd knows just the thing!

Available through Blake Education.

Doggy Duo
illustrated by Teresa Culkin-Lawrence
Published by Banana Books, 2003

Doggy Duo contains two stories - 'Little Dog' and 'My Dog Ate My Homework' - back to back in the one volume.

Sadly, this book is no longer available in stores, but can be purchased directly from Sally Murphy.