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Shirley Marr

Official Website of Shirley Marr, Author of Young Adult and Childrens Fiction

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A Glasshouse of Stars

Shirley Marr’s new middle grade novel A Glasshouse of Stars is due for release in Australia & New Zealand by Penguin Random House on 4 May 2021, available to pre-order through Dymocks and Angus & Robertson or through your favourite local bookstore. To be followed by a UK release on 10 June through Usborne books and a USA release on 29 June through Simon & Schuster.

Her latest book, Little Jiang, released 2020 by Fremantle Press is available NOW through all your favourite online and brick-and-mortar places.

A Glasshouse of Stars

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Little Jiang

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Preloved

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Fury

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Praise for A Glasshouse of Stars

Heart-twisting and hopeful, bursting with big feelings and gentle magic. This is a special book from a powerful, compassionate new voice in children’s literature.

JESSICA TOWNSEND, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE NEVERMOOR SERIES

Poignant, authentic and heartbreakingly tender – a touching story of loss and resilience. Shirley Marr gives a face to our deepest fears and proves that even the scariest monsters can keep us company in the dark.

DARIA OSTROWSKA, COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, WESTBOOKS

A Middle Grade novel to watch in 2021 … We share Meixing’s journey from loss and displacement, from heartbreak and confusion. A Glasshouse of Stars is ultimately, however, a tale of resilience, compassion and hope – with brushstrokes of magic to help illuminate the way. I loved this perfectly balanced book!

PAUL MACDONALD, OWNER, THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP

About the Author

Shirley Marr is a first generation Chinese-Australian living in sunny Perth and an author of Young Adult and children’s fiction. Her titles are A Glasshouse of Stars, Little Jiang, Preloved and Fury.  It was while she was working on a very dry Accounting PhD that she realised she'd rather be writing down her dark, twisted daydreams instead. She is still a Bespectacled Accountant by day and a Masked Writer at night. Shirley describes … Read More about About the Author

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I’m just so excited to show you the beautiful pa I’m just so excited to show you the beautiful package that Stevie Hopwood from @usborne_books has sent out to early readers featuring this beautifully designed UK ARC proof with a cover by the talented @kathrinhonestaa and the blue pencil that my character Meixing attaches so much meaning to in the novel, and a little replica of the booklet she makes. Readers have already shared their pics and I am so thrilled and feeling so 💜💜💜
I simply cannot wait to start reading this #OwnVoi I simply cannot wait to start reading this #OwnVoices #GrowingUpAsian novel by @rebeccalim_writer! It’s my most anticipated read of 2021 so far! Perfect accompaniments: the best almond milk chai latte and vegan salted caramel slice from @dfrentcafe #VicParkLife and company from @hm_waugh ❤️
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Publishers blurb: Wen Zhou is determined to create a future for herself that is more satisfying than the life her parents expect her to lead. Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, Tiger Daughter is a wonderfully compelling and authentic Own Voices novel about growing up Asian in Australia.

What I feel most days is that nothing is ever going to change. That my life won't even start, and that I'll be stuck like this forever.

Wen Zhou is the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to the lucky country has proven to be not so lucky. Wen and her friend, Henry Xiao - whose mum and dad are also struggling immigrants - both dream of escape from their unhappy circumstances, and form a plan to sit an entrance exam to a selective high school far from home. But when tragedy strikes, it will take all of Wen's resilience and resourcefulness to get herself and Henry through the storm that follows.

Tiger Daughter is a novel that will grab hold of you and not let go.

'An unforgettable story of family, friendship and finding your voice. I adore this book.' - Nova Weetman
Happy Galentine’s Day! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 I go Happy Galentine’s Day! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 I got to spend it with @brionystewartillustration @writermoss and @kittyblackauthor, have coffee & cake and then hang out with Nat @rabblebooks and buy all the books, so best day ever really!!!
Even though I am old, my dad still gave me an ang Even though I am old, my dad still gave me an ang pow this year and my mum (among other new year biscuits) gave me this fortune cookie. I think the lucky fortune is very applicable to me, what do you think? 😂😂
Happy New Year! Please take the time to read the f Happy New Year! Please take the time to read the following by @thatsmybookdionne @asianlitforkids and @asiankidlituk as it is so well expressed and articulated xx
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#Repost @thatsmybookdionne with @make_repost
・・・
With Lunar New Year beginning tomorrow I want to share graphics created by @asianlitforkids (whose post and the discussion about specificity is very useful.) Also the words of @asiankidlituk
that they shared with me this week:

*Why is it important that we call it "Lunar New Year"?*
Because it is celebrated across Asia and everywhere around the world where the East & SE Asian diaspora have landed. So not just the Chinese celebrate it. It is a big holiday for Vietnamese, Korean, Mongolian, Tibetan and a number of other cultures around the world. 

Many non-Chinese who celebrate the new year can feel like their voices, heritage and experiences are being erased. So what we say and how we refer to the celebration is important. We can be more inclusive in our language and the impact of that matters.

*So when is it OK to use Chinese New Year?*

When you are greeting/speaking to someone who identifies as Chinese. If you're unsure, just say "happy new year". If you're talking generally, for example "it's almost Chinese New Year," please think about the erasure that happens when someone who celebrates it but who is not ethnically Chinese that hears it.

In fact, even those who are ethnically Chinese don't call it "Chinese New Year" in Cantonese/Mandarin. It's actually referred to as lunar new year or Spring festival.

I hope the above is insightful and helpful. It would be great if you can share this so that when you are talking to any children about the festival, they can learn that it's a celebration across many parts of Asia, not just China or Chinese people.

@asiankidlituk are  selling the book "Tastes of Lunar New Year" in their bookshop. This is a book that features some of the amazing food that is made/eaten in different countries across the world for the occasion. It's wonderfully inclusive and captures perfectly how the New Year is celebrated globally.

#LunarNewYear #ThatsMyBookDionne #inclusivitymatters
So inspired by this novel. So real, so gut wrenchi So inspired by this novel. So real, so gut wrenching, such a powerful voice. What is everyone reading? 

Also doing our bit to #supportourstrip and #lovevicpark with a cream cheese scroll from @sinamon_perth and the most glamorous cup of tea I’ve ever had
Congratulations to @cristyburne who battled agains Congratulations to @cristyburne who battled against Covid adversity and launched her new Book Baby today! 🥳🥳🥳 Welcome to the world Beneath The Trees! Lovely to see the little fans who braved the strange wintery weather to meet their favorite author and have their novel signed, make a platypus bookmark and a hand puppet! 💚💚💚 Mine looks peculiar, Denis’ looks really good. Also do you see what I’ve drawn on my face mask? All you illustrators out there, be afraid, I’m coming for your jobs. Ps: the plural of platypus is not platypussy 😅 Sorry kids. I am wholesome I assure you. Pps: thank you young Jane for your wonderful snap skills!
I get to be the green slice in this beautiful rain I get to be the green slice in this beautiful rainbow book stack of Aussie authors! 💚💚💚 Thank you @aussie_kids_books 

Repost @aussie_kids_books with @make_repost
・・・
Inspired by @faithe.in.books beautiful rainbow stack I’ve done my own YA/JF one. 

🌈 🌈🌈

All are Australia- based authors. We have so much local talent 💖

Featured are:

🌈 Lemonade Jones by @davina.bell 
🌈 Alice-Miranda in the Outback by @jacquelineharve 
🌈 Girl Next Door by @alyssabrugman 
🌈 A Glasshouse of Stars by @shirleyonmarrs 
🌈 Please Don’t Hug Me by @kaykerr_ 
🌈 Pip: the story of Olive by @kimkane2 
🌈 The Long Distance Playlist by @taraeglington 

#aussiekidsbooks #auskiwibooksta #rainbow #rainbowstack #kidlit #childrensbooks #loveozmg #loveozya #ya #youngadult #youngadultbooks #yalit #teenreads #mg #middlegradebooks #middlegrade #jf #juniorfiction #bookstagram #bookstagramaustralia #booklover #bookblogging #bookbloggersofinstagram #read #readingtime #readreadread #ausbookishfeatures #ausyabloggers #aglasshouseofstars
Ok, The Last of the Real Ones, in black and white, Ok, The Last of the Real Ones, in black and white, then back to our regular program of #bookstagrams! 😄😄😅😅
@emmataylorphotography 
@makeupbymonmonzz

 

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