Verse Novels by Sally Murphy
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 bokstores or online from here (Australian edition) or here (US edition).
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 bokstores or online from here (Australian edition) or here (US edition).
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.
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) Candelwick 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.
illustrated by Rhian Nest James
Published by Walker Australia 2010 and
(in production) Candelwick 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.
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
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
