Books
I write books for children and young adults! This includes picture books and middle grade novels, as well as novels for older readers. Whatever I'm writing, and wherever my story is set, I always write to find the beauty, hope, strength and love that is hidden within those stories - even if it's in the hard places.
NEW RELEASES:
One Potoroo: a story of survival
(a picture book)
(a picture book)
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Illustrated by Alicia Rogerson
When a bushfire destroys Potoroo’s home, he becomes one of the last surviving Gilbert’s Potoroos at Two Peoples Bay in Western Australia. Frightened, hurt and alone, Potoroo needs a new home. Luckily, a team of conservationists know where Potoroo can go to be safe. One Potoroo: A Story of Survival is a beautifully illustrated book about the world’s most endangered marsupial, the Gilbert’s Potoroo, and the conservation work that has kept this unique Australian alive.
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AVAILABLE NOW:
The Pet Sitters series - written under pen name Ella Shine
(a new series for 6-9 year olds)
(a new series for 6-9 year olds)
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The Pet Sitters series is a fun, fast paced series of books for young readers ages 5-9 years of age.
Writing as Ella Shine, Penny has collaborated with friend and fellow writer, Cecily Anne Paterson, to create this four book 'Ready for Anything series. Titles include Gus Makes a Fuss, Purple Panic, Tony Takes Off and Glitter Jitters. The books are illustrated by Lisa Flanagan and, thanks to the generous support of Create NSW, have also been published as audiobooks narrated by Suzanne Ellis. Visit the Puddle Dog Press website for more information, teachers notes and free downloads. |
The True Story of Ed Specolta
(a short story for YA in the Crossed Spaces anthology)
(a short story for YA in the Crossed Spaces anthology)
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Penny's story, The True Written Life of Ed Specolta, is one of the featured stories in this anthology of short stories in other worlds.
Extract from blurb: Come on a journey of exploration in these seventeen stories as humanity is pushed to its limit and forced to question what is most important in life. Lynne Stringer and RA Stephens bring together a collection of fantasy and science-fiction stories based in worlds that are not quite our own. Authors include Emily Larkin, Janeen Samuel, Stephanie Martin, Catriona McKeown, Rosanne Hawke and more. Release date: 1 March 2021 Publisher: Rhiza Edge, Australia. ISBN: 9781761110283 |
The Other Brother
(a picture book)
(a picture book)
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Illustrated by: Heidi Cooper Smith
Jayden James thought his family of five was perfect – until last Wednesday when Mitchell David arrived. Now the car’s too small, picnics are ruined and no one’s paying attention to Jayden anymore. Jayden knows something needs to be done. And he’s the only one who can do it! A gentle story about acceptance, belonging and what it means to be family. Release date: February 2020 Publisher: Wombat Books, Australia. ISBN: 978-1-925563-68-9
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Out of the Cages
(a novel for YA+)
(a novel for YA+)
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Winner of the 2019 CALEB Prize: Young Adult Fiction Category
Fifteen-year-old Meena has given up all hope of ever escaping the brothel. For three years she’s locked away her memories – of home, of her childhood friend, of what it means to hope. But when a botched police raid offers her a chance at freedom, Meena must face the truth about her past. As she attempts to piece her life back together, the memories she has buried deep inside begin to resurface. Meena realises escaping the brothel is only the beginning of what it means to be free. Can she face the truth in her memories? Can she return to Nepal if it means returning alone? Or will she face the red-light district one last time? ‘Sometimes it’s ourselves we need to trust again…’ Release date: July 2018 Publisher: Rhiza Edge, Australia. ISBN: 978 1925563412
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Reviews for Out of the Cages
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'Out of the Cages reveals the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual suffering of young girls trafficked into global systems of prostitution. Young adult readers will gain insight into the deception, the betrayal of trust, the systemic collusion, and, above all, the extreme suffering of vulnerable girls whose bodies have become fodder to fuel a global industry. I hope this book will compel all who read it to do all they can to bring an end to sexual slavery.'
Melinda Tankard Reist, writer, speaker, activist. |
'As the CEO of Destiny Rescue Australia, I see and hear of these atrocities every single day. Penny has captured the strength & determination of Meena beautifully as a shining example of all rescued children. A truly riveting read! The only way evil can triumph is if good people do nothing.'
Michelle Winser | CEO, Destiny Rescue Australia |
'Out of the Cages is a moving and engaging story, which I will be confident to recommend to our older students. I think Penny has done a masterful job of conveying the brutal violence, humiliation and despair experienced by girls such as Meena and Putail without the need for graphic or gratuitous descriptions of the sex trade. Combined with the betrayal and guilt felt by Meena, the description of the girls’ treatment places the hope and rehabilitation offered by the Little Sister team in its stark context of reality.'
Philip Cooney, Librarian, Wycliffe Christian School. |