Looking Up - Sally Murphy and Aska

Looking Up

Sally Murphy 

Aska (Illustrator)

Fremantle Press

ISBN 9781925164572

eISBN 9781925164602

ASIN B06XDVCT4G

I have been a fan of Sally Murphy's works for a half dozen years now. The problem is, is that, many of them are not available in North America. When I came across this one, I was very excited that the eBook edition was available in Canada at the same time the physical book was published in Australia. In the three books I have read by Sally Murphy she has a way or penetrating to the heart of a matter. And this book hits on the hearts mark. 

This is a very powerful book, in part because in society today we could see these events happening. A child caught in a struggle either between parents or between parents and grandparents. Part of the description for this book is:

"Looking Up by Sally Murphy is a moving story about family, forgiveness and the stars. Pete lives with his Mum. His dad lives far away and, as far as Pete knows, that's all the family he has. Until one day, just before Pete turns ten, a birthday card arrives in the mail with stars on the front and signed 'Love, Grandad'. Mum reveals the card is from her own father, but when she won't give Pete more information he decides to locate this mysterious Grandad for himself. Pete and his best friend Tyler use the phone book to find Grandad and even visit his home. When Grandad insists they need Mum's okay to meet, Pete spills all to Mum."

It is not a long book, and it has wonderful illustrations by Aska. But it is the story that has the most impact. Pete has loved the stars his whole life, and all he really wants for his birthday is a telescope. But days before his birthday the mysterious card appears, addressed to Pete, and he never gets mail. The writing he does not recognize, and when he reads the card and it is signed 'Grandpa' it sends his mind reeling. So, he decides to take matters into his own hands. And that is when he slowly learns the whole story.

This story captures what a child can feel and experience in the middle of struggle between adults. It also captures what happens when people say things in pain and hurt, and those issues get left unresolved for years. It shows how we can make mistakes in our grief, mistakes that will haunt us for a long time to come.

This book is masterfully done. It is just so sad that we need books like this. Another excellent read by Sally Murphy and as mentioned the illustrations by Aska are wonderful.

Books by Sally Murphy:
Verse Novels
Pearl Verses the World, illustrated by Heather Potter
Toppling, illustrated by Rhian Nest James

...

Picture Books
Snowy's Christmas, illustrated by David Murphy
Pemberthy Bear, illustrated by Jacqui Grantford
The Floatingest Frog, illustrated by Simon Bosch

Meet Mary MacKillop

...

Chapter Books
The Big Blowie, illustrated by Craig Longmuir
R is for Rolf, illustrated by Trevor Pye
Bugged, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Stuck, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Doggy Duo, illustrated by Teresa Culkin-Lawrence

Look Up, illustrated by Aska

...

Educational Titles
Two Tricky Tales
Marty's Birthday
Buzzy Fly
Be Careful
Remember Me
Over the Fence
Sonoran Desert Animals
The Extraordinary House
Icecream
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Desert critters
Frogs: Awesome Amphibians
Aussie Authors
Aussie Authors 2
Writing the News
Speak Out
Speak Up
Spellbound
The Book Book
Assembly: Poems to perform

...

Meet Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy - Australian Meet … Series

Meet Mary MacKillop

Sally Murphy

Random House Australia

ISBN 9781742757223

eISBN 9781742757230

I have read a few books by Sally Murphy, and they have all impressed me. She has a real gift in writing for young readers.  On social media she was sharing covers of some of her older stories and this one really captured my attention. It took me a while to track one down in Canada. The first copy I ordered had a shipping status for months, and then was cancelled. I have since found out that there is an eBook edition on several platforms, and I picked up that for my daughter. We absolutely loved this book. In part because of our own Catholic faith, and in part because it is in a series we were never aware of. A series we are now trying to track down. This book is part of the Australian History ‘Meet … series’ of books. The description of the series is:

“Learn about extraordinary figures in Australia's history in this picture book series.

From Ned Kelly to Nellie Melba; Captain Cook to Sidney Nolan, the Meet... series of picture books tells the exciting stories of the men and women who have shaped Australia's history.”

And the description of this book is:

“A picture book series about the extraordinary men and women who have shaped Australian history, including St Mary Mackillop.

Mary MacKillop is Australia’s first saint.

Mary was born in the 1800s and devoted her life to teaching children. Mary believed everyone should have the chance to learn, no matter how rich or poor they are. In 1866 she set up her first school and founded an order of nuns called the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The Sisters continue to do the good work Mary started.”

The illustrations are wonderful. Sonia Martinez has an excellent palette for the art work set in Australia and the outback. The story by Murphy is wonderful. It has left both my daughter and I wanting to read more by and about this saint. The first Australian born saint and someone who was devoted and dedicated to bringing education to any student who wanted to learn. She lived her faith and trusted God.  It is an excellent picture book, for home, church, or school library.  This book has left us wanting to find out more about MacKillop and to reading more in this series that looks to be very impressive.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books about Mary MacKillop:

Meet Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy - Celebrate Australian History Meet Series

Mary MacKillop: A Spiritual Model For All - EJ Cuskelly - CTS Biographies

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint - Jeannie Meekins

…

Books in the Australian Meet … Series:

Ned Kelly - Janeen Brian, Matt Adams

Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy, Sonia Martinez

Douglas Mawson - Mike Dumbleton, Snip Green 

Sidney Nolan - Yvonne Mes, Sandra Eterovic 

Nancy Bird Walton - Grace Atwood, Harry Slaghekke 

Don Bradman - Coral Vass, Brad Howe 

Captain Cook - Rae Murdie, Chris Nixon

Banjo Peterson - Kristin Weidenbach, James Gulliver Hancock

Nellie Melba - Janeen Brian, Claire Murphy 

The Anzacs - Claire Saxby, Max Berry 

Weary Dunlop - Claire Saxby, Jeremy Lord 

The Flying Doctors - George Ivanoff, Ben Wood

…

Books by Sally Murphy:
Verse Novels
Pearl Verses the World, illustrated by Heather Potter
Toppling, illustrated by Rhian Nest James

...

Picture Books
Snowy's Christmas, illustrated by David Murphy
Pemberthy Bear, illustrated by Jacqui Grantford
The Floatingest Frog, illustrated by Simon Bosch

Meet Mary MacKillop

...

Chapter Books
The Big Blowie, illustrated by Craig Longmuir
R is for Rolf, illustrated by Trevor Pye
Bugged, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Stuck, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Doggy Duo, illustrated by Teresa Culkin-Lawrence

Look Up, illustrated by Aska

...

Educational Titles
Two Tricky Tales
Marty's Birthday
Buzzy Fly
Be Careful
Remember Me
Over the Fence
Sonoran Desert Animals
The Extraordinary House
Icecream
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Desert critters
Frogs: Awesome Amphibians
Aussie Authors
Aussie Authors 2
Writing the News
Speak Out
Speak Up
Spellbound
The Book Book
Assembly: Poems to perform

...

Toppling - Sally Murphy and Rhian Nest James

Toppling
Sally Murphy (Author)
Rhian Nest James (Illustrator)
Candlewick
ISBN 9780763659219

Having only read one Sally Murphy book before this one, I was not sure what to expect but knew I expected a lot. This book blew away even those high expectations. Two things grabbed my attention, the title and the cover. But the story was so much more than that. A few years ago I did a course in university on grief literature for children. It was a great course with a number of very good books. To be honest this one is better than most from that course. I read it to my son and though he is 4 and a half he did not get it all but he loved the book and the illustrations. This is a book that is now amongst my all-time favorite children's books and I cannot give it a higher recommendation than that.It is a story about friendships, about illness, and about change. It is mainly the story of John and Dominic. They hang out in a group in school and then Dom gets sick. Dom has cancer and they do not know if he will live. John is afraid he will die. Between visits to the hospital, treatments and growing up, this is an amazing story. It was incredibly well written and illustrated. It will touch the hearts of all who read it!

Books by Sally Murphy:
Verse Novels
Pearl Verses the World, illustrated by Heather Potter
Toppling, illustrated by Rhian Nest James

...

Picture Books
Snowy's Christmas, illustrated by David Murphy
Pemberthy Bear, illustrated by Jacqui Grantford
The Floatingest Frog, illustrated by Simon Bosch

Meet Mary MacKillop

...

Chapter Books
The Big Blowie, illustrated by Craig Longmuir
R is for Rolf, illustrated by Trevor Pye
Bugged, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Stuck, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Doggy Duo, illustrated by Teresa Culkin-Lawrence

Look Up, illustrated by Aska

...

Educational Titles
Two Tricky Tales
Marty's Birthday
Buzzy Fly
Be Careful
Remember Me
Over the Fence
Sonoran Desert Animals
The Extraordinary House
Icecream
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Desert critters
Frogs: Awesome Amphibians
Aussie Authors
Aussie Authors 2
Writing the News
Speak Out
Speak Up
Spellbound
The Book Book
Assembly: Poems to perform

...

(Note: I received an electronic galley of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of Candlewick. The book was read on my iPad. As per my general disclaimer, free books have no impact on my review.)
 

Pearl Versus The World - Sally Murphy and Heather Potter

Pearl Versus The World
Sally Murphy (Author)
Heather Potter (Illustrator)
Candlewick
ISBN 9780763648213

The title of this book grabbed my attention immediately. I think all of us at times feel like we are living "versus the world". The book was a wonderful surprise. The story is wonderfully written and charmingly illustrated. This book would make a great text for a children's lit course at university, or to help prepare children for a loss or after a loss.

Pearl is part of a family of 3 - she, her mom and her grandmom. But her Grandma is forgetting who she is, and it is getting harder for her mom to look after her gram. At school Pearl feels like she is in a group of 1; she is not in the sporty boys' group, the ballet girls' group, the library kids' group, the bus kids' group or even the rough kids' group. But as the story progresses she realized things are not always as we perceive them. The story written and told from Pearl's perspective in a mix of rhyming and non-rhyming verse is very moving and touching. It is an amazing little book and I plan to recommend it often.

Books by Sally Murphy:
Verse Novels
Pearl Verses the World, illustrated by Heather Potter
Toppling, illustrated by Rhian Nest James

...

Picture Books
Snowy's Christmas, illustrated by David Murphy
Pemberthy Bear, illustrated by Jacqui Grantford
The Floatingest Frog, illustrated by Simon Bosch

Meet Mary MacKillop

...

Chapter Books
The Big Blowie, illustrated by Craig Longmuir
R is for Rolf, illustrated by Trevor Pye
Bugged, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Stuck, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Doggy Duo, illustrated by Teresa Culkin-Lawrence

Look Up, illustrated by Aska

...

Educational Titles
Two Tricky Tales
Marty's Birthday
Buzzy Fly
Be Careful
Remember Me
Over the Fence
Sonoran Desert Animals
The Extraordinary House
Icecream
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Desert critters
Frogs: Awesome Amphibians
Aussie Authors
Aussie Authors 2
Writing the News
Speak Out
Speak Up
Spellbound
The Book Book
Assembly: Poems to perform

...

(Note: I received an electronic galley of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of Candlewick. The book was read on my Kobo eReader. As per my general disclaimer, free books have no impact on my review.)
 

List of Books Read 2012

Books Read 2012

Caillou The Captain - Sarah Margaret Johanson and Eric Sevigny
Caillou Learns To Skake - Marion Johnson
Judy Moody (Was In A Mood) - Judy Moody Book 1 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Ish - Peter H. Reynolds
I'm Here - Peter H. Reynolds
The Sisters Club - Megan McDonald and Pamela A. Consolazio
Stink: Solar System Superhero - Stink Moody Book 5 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Zebrafish - Peter H. Reynolds, Sharon Emerson and Renee Kurilla
Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer - Judy Moody Book 10a - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Cloudy With A Chance of Boys - The Sisters Club Book 3 - Megan McDonald and Pamela A. Consolazio
Stink The Incredible Shrinking Kid - Stink Moody Book 1- Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Emma's Emu - Kennthe Oppel and Kim LaFave
Alienation - CHAOS Book 2 - Jon S. Lewis
Buddy Loses a Tooth - Dinosaur Train - Craig Bartlet & Jim Henson
The Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Dinosaur Train - Craig Bartlet & Jim Henson
Stink-O-Pedia Volume Two More Stink-y Stuff from A to Z - Megan McDonald and Peter H. Reynolds
Judy Moody and Stink The Mad, Mad Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt - Megan McDonald and Peter H. Reynolds
Every Body Matters - Gary Thomas
Firegirl - Tony Abbott
The Rule of Three - The Sisters Club Book 2 - Megan McDonald and Pamela A. Consolazio
The Case of the Terrible T. Rex - Michele Torrey and Barbara Johansen Newman
Judy Moody and Stink The Holly Joliday - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
The Dig - Zoe and Zeus Book 1 - Audrey Hart
Judy Moody Goes To College - Judy Moody Book 8 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Stink-O-Pedia Volume One Super Stink-y Stuff from A to Zzzzz - Megan McDonald and Peter H. Reynolds
Judy Moody M.D. The Doctor Is In - Judy Moody Book 5 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker - Stink Moody Book 2 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
How To Think Like A Neandertal - Thomas Wynn and Frederick L. Coolidge
Right Behind - N.D. Wilson
Toadally Primal Smoothies - Todd Dosenberry
Mac at Work - David Sparks
Hero-Type - Barry Lyga
I Hunt Killers - Barry Lyga
Boy Toy - Barry Lyga
The Chronal Engine - Greg Leitich Smith
The Grave Robbers Apprentice - Allan Stratton
Into the Gauntlet - 39 Clues Book 10 - Margaret Peterson Haddix
Judy Moody Girl Detective - Judy Moody Book 9 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Stink and The Ultimate Thumb-Wrestling Smackdown - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Judy Moody Gets Famous!- Judy Moody Book 2 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Stink and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Judy Moody Predicts the Future - Judy Moody Book 4 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Execution - Escape from Furnace 5 - Alexander Gordon Smith
The Night Children - Escape from Furnace 0 - Alexander Gordon Smith
Epilogue - Escape from Furnace 5a - Alexander Gordon Smith
Mangaman - Barry Lyga and Colleen Doran
Surf Princess - Barbie Mermaids Tale 2 - Chelsea Eberly
The Primal Blueprint 21 Day Total Body Transformation - Mark Sisson
Look at Me! Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko
Diary of a Wimpy Vampire - Tim Collins
The Mad Mask - Archvillain 2 - Barry Lyga
Judy Moody Around The World in 8 1/2 Days - Judy Moody Book 7 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Judy Moody Saves the World - Judy Moody Book 3 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
BOB Books - Sight Words Kindergarten - Lynn Madlen Kertell and Sue Hendra
First Little Readers - Little Scholastic - Deborah Schecter and Anne Kennedy
Reconciled to God Daily Lenten Devotions - Amy Welborn
The Magnificat Lenten Companion 2012
Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
The Black Book of Buried Secrets - 39 Clues - Rick Riordan
Judy Moody Declares Independence - Judy Moody Book 6 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
That's not my truck - Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells
Please and Thank You - Jill Anderson and Michelle Berg
Sleepy Time Blessing - Sally Anne Conan and Nicole Rutten
Snowstruck Wilson - Chuggington
Cause I Love You - Jan Carr and Daniel Howarth
I Am Small - Emma Dodd
Read Me A Story - Canadian Favorites - Scholatic
Adventures of a Wimpy Werewolf - Tim Collins
Gregor and the Marks of Secret - Underland Chronicles Book 4 - Suzanne Collins
Her Decade - Barry Lyga
The Sixth Credit - Barry Lyga       
The Mating Habits of Whales - Barry Lyga and Jeff Dillon
Judy Moody's Way Wacky Uber Awesome Book of More Fun Stuff To Do - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Reconciled to God Daily Lenten Devotions - Amy Welborn
The Magnificat Lenten Companion 2012
Animals on the Farm - Chris Hernandez
Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer - Judy Moody Book 10 - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Judy Moody's Double-Rare Way-Not-Boring Book of Fun Stuff To Do - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
The Ten Commandments Of Lifting Weights - Jared Zimmerer
Judy Moody and the Bad Luck Charm - Judy Moody Book 11 - Peter H Reynolds and Megan McDonald
Good Night, I Love you - Caroline Jayne Church
Judy Moody's Mini-Mysteries and Other Sneaky Stuff for Super-Sleuths - Megan McDonald and Peter H Reynolds
Lacing Up To Reality - Maggie Clark
Wish You Were Here: Travels Through Loss and Hope - Amy Welborn
Toppling - Sally Murphy
Alien On A Rampage - Clete Barrett Smith
BOB Books - Sight Words First Grade - Lynn Madlen Kertell and Sue Hendra
Sideways Stories From Wayside School - Louis Sachar
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl - Barry Lyga
So You Want To Catch Bigfoot - Jamie Michalak and Mark Fearing
Ant and Honey Bee: A Pair Of Friends At Haloween - Megan McDonald and G. Brian Karas
Seeing Red: The True Story of Blood - Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Steve Rolston
Megiddo's Shadow - Arthur Slade
When Monsters Escape - Underworlds 2 - Tony Abbott
Knees - Vanita Oeschlager
Curiosity Killed The Cat - Poison Apple Book 7 - Sierra Harimann
The Primal Blueprint 21 Day Total Body Transformation - Mark Sissonn
Zoe's Year - Barbara Reid
The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin
Wish You Were Here: Travels Through Loss and Hope - Amy Welbornn
Faith At Work - Kevin Lowry     
Goofballs #1: The Crazy Case of Missing Thunder - Tony Abbott and Colleen Madden
Faith At Work - Kevin Lowry
Goofballs #2: The Startling Story of the Stolen Statue - Tony Abbott and Colleen Madden
Holiness for Everyone - Eric Sammons
The Ten Commandments Of Lifting Weights - Jared Zimmerer       
The Homework Machine - Dan Gutman
The Smurfs: The Snow Giant - Peyo
Someday - Alison McGhee and Peter H Reynolds
Barbie: Fashion Fairytale - Mary Man-Kong
Green Lantern vs. the Meteor Monster! - DC Super Friends - Billy Wrecks
Barbie: I Can be A Rock Star - Mary Man-Kong
Barbie and the Diamond Castle - Mary Man-Kong
Ruby's Rainbow - Max and Ruby - Grosset & Dunlap
The Dead I Know - Scot Gardner
Holiness for Everyone - Eric Sammons
Brave - Magic In The Mist - Barbara Bazaldua, Caroline LaVelle and Grace Lee
Brave - Big Bear, Little Bear - Susan Amerikaner
Brave - A Mother's Love - Melissa Lagonegro, Maria Elena Naggi and Studio IBOIX
(you) set me on fire - Mariko Tamaki
The Detachable Boy: With One Loose Foot - Scot Gardner
Return of the Homework Machine - Dan Gutman
The Kid Who Ran For President - Dan Gutman
Potty Time - Caroline Jayne Church
Split! Splat! - Amy Gibson and Steve Bjorkman
Picture A Tree - Barbara Reid
Zero to Hero - Ghost Buddy 1 - Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
My Race Car - Ace Landers and David A. White 
The New Puppy - BOB Books - Lynn Maslen Kertell and Sue Hendra 
Cupcake Surprise! - BOB Books - Lynn Maslen Kertell and Sue Hendra
The Super Secret Adventure Club - George McClements   
How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? - Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Unspoken - Henry Cole
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? - Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
1, 2 at the Zoo - Sue DiCicco
1, 2, 3 in the Sea - Sue DiCicco
Let's Get Dressed! - Caroline Jayne Church
Star Wars 1 2 3 - Scholastic
Star Wars A B C - Scholastic
Star Wars Phonics - Scholastic - Quinlan B. Lee
How To Make Big Bubbles - Klutz  - David Stein
The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch - T.M. Gaouette
Potty - Leslie Pattricelli
Jack and Jill - Salina Yoon
The Catholic Cookbook - From Our Family to Yours - Wyatt North Publishing
Catholic Prayer Book Volume 1 - Wyatt North
The Catholic Workout - Michael Carrera
Mind If I Read Your Mind? - Ghost Buddy 2 - Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Nightmare at the Book Fair - Dan Gutman
Such Wicked Intent - Kenneth Oppel
Praying Circles Around Your Children - Mark Batterson
Son - The Worlds Book 4 - Lois Lowry
Praying Circles Around Your Children - Mark Batterson
Exam Ref 70-417: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012 - J.C. Mackin
The Circle Maker - Student Edition - Dream Big. Pray Hard. Think Long - Mark  Batterson
I Love You - Caroline Jayne Church (Cloth Book)
Outdoor Adventures! - BOB Books - Lynn Maslen Kertell and Sue Hendra
My School Trip - BOB Books - Lynn Maslen Kertell and Sue Hendra
I Can Ride! - BOB Books - Lynn Maslen Kertell and Sue Hendra
I Hate Bullies - Noodles - Hans Wilhelm
A Friend For Noodles - Hans Wilhelm
Gus Makes a Friend - Frank Remkiewicz
Silly Milly and the Mysterious Suitcase - Wendy Cheyette Lewison and Nadine Bernard Westcott 
Buddy to the Rescue - BOB Books - Lynn Maslen Kertell and Sue Hendra
Jillian Jiggs and the Great Big Snow - Phoebe Gilman
Oh, What A Christmas! - Michael Garland
Melty Beads - Klutz
Hand Art - Klutz
Magnetic A to Z - Klutz
Little Letters - Klutz
Spiral Doodle - Klutz
Cars Build and Race - Disney - Pixar - Klutz
The Circle Maker - Mark Batterson
The Circle Maker Enhanced Edition - Mark Batterson
Training Kit Exam 70-461 Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 - Itzik Ben-Gan, Dejan Sarka and Ron Talmage
Training Kit Exam 70-462 Admin SQL 2012 - Orin Thomas, Peter Ward and Bob Taylor
Year of Faith Companion - Magnificat
Tending the Temple - Dr. Kevin Vost, Shane Kapley and Peggy Bowes

I started keeping track of the books I finished reading in October of 1995, and movies watched in January of 1996. I have lists for:
All Books Read by Year
Favorite Books By Year
All Movies and TV Series Watched by Year
Favorite Movies and TV Series by Year


I also do a Top Ten List of books each quarter and for the year. They can be found here. I was also asked to pick a Top Ten Catholic Books I have read, you can find that list here (and occasionally I add a note when I come across something exceptional.)