Kirstin

Kirstin Doris Boyd, writer of children's literature, was born on 21 November, 1960.

She married firstly John Murray - graphic designer

They had Children:

1. Ruby Joy Murray
2. William Vivien Murray - (Billy)
3. Elwyn Guy Murray

Married secondly, Ken Harper - drama teacher, playwright, gymnast and circus trainer

Biography

Kirsty's first novel, released in 1999 by Allen and Unwin, ZARCONI'S INCREDIBLE TRAVELLING CIRCUS, won the Western Australian Premier's Award 2000 for Children's Books.

In 2001 her second novel, MARKET BLUES, was released to enthusiastic reviews. A fast paced time-slip adventure story that finds it's hero, Sam Sullivan flung back through time to 1901. Mike Shuttleworth of The Age wrote "Market Blues is exciting, ambitious and unputdownable for early and pre-teenage readers." Market Blues has been shortlisted for this year's Aurealis Award for longer children's fiction.

Kirsty's latest novel, WALKING HOME WITH MARIE-CLAIRE will be released in October 2002. Set in 1973, it follows the friendship of two 12-year-old girls who are caught up in the dramas of a turbulent time.

Kirsty has been the recipient of grants from both VicArts and the Australia Council. She is currently working on a quartet of historical fiction, funded by the Australia Council, which trace the history of Irish child immigrants in Australia.

She is also the author of several works of non-fiction, including MAN-EATERS AND BLOOD SUCKERS, HOWARD FLOREY-MIRACLE MAKER and TOUGH STUFF - true stories about kids and courage. Tough Stuff has been widely used in schools for its upfront and accessible true stories about amazing kids throughout history.