Background
Sally Murphy was born in Perth, the youngest of six children, and grew up in the southwest town of Collie.
Sally Murphy was born in Perth, the youngest of six children, and grew up in the southwest town of Collie.
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 started writing stories at a young age, entering local writing competitions throughout her childhood. 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 Editor 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.
Toppling, illustrated by Rhian Nest James (2010) 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.
