Meredith Costain Meredith Costain i(A14867 works by)
Also writes as: Gemma Carey ; M.J. Costain
Born: Established: 1955 West Gippsland, Gippsland, Victoria, ;
Gender: Female
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BiographyHistory

Meredith Costain grew up in West Gippsland, Victoria. She writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and has edited children's literature magazines. Her first poem, titled My Little Creek, was published in The Age newspaper c1964. After attending university, Meredith became a teacher.

Meredith's first novel was publisher under the writing name Gemma Carey. Musical Harriet was the first work of children's fiction penned under her own name. Meredith's work has been shortlisted for children's choice awards YABBA and WAYBRA, as well as the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, and The Environment Award for Children's Literature.

In 2018, Meredith was awarded the Graham Davey Citation for her services to Australian children's literature.

Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • Meredith Costain also wrote works for the educational series 'Supa Doopers', 'Literacy Links', 'Reading Discovery' and 'Crackers'. She is also editor of the educational series 'Trend Fiction'.
  • For information about this author's works for children not yet included in AustLit, see Australian Children's Books by Marcie Muir and Kerry White (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1992-2004).

Personal Awards

2022 recipient KOALA Awards — Legend
2018 winner YABBA — Graham Davey Citation
2002 shortlisted Ditmar Awards — Best Achievement For editing. (With Paul Collins)
VIEW ALL AWARDS

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Sleepover FAIL Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2023 26851708 2023 single work children's fiction children's

'Warning: You are about to read my utterly biggest secrets. Can I trust you? OK then. I’m Ella, and this is my diary. Ella is staying at her best friend Zoe’s house for a whole week. The girls are sure everything will be perfect. But Zoe’s bedroom isn’t quite big enough for all of Ella’s stuff. And Zoe seems to be obsessed with horse toys, which makes Ella feel like her head will explode! Will their friendship survive the week?' (Publication summary)
2024 shortlisted REAL Awards — Fiction for Younger Readers
y separately published work icon Total TV Drama Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2018 12320301 2018 single work children's fiction children's

'Ella's been chosen for the quiz team and is going on television game show QUIZ-ZAM! Shes going to be a star! But Ella's TV dreams soon turn into total drama when Zoe doesn't make the team and know-it-all Peach gets her spot instead! 

'Worst of all, the other team on the show is super smart ... and super mean! Will Ella and Peach embarrass themselves on national television? Or can they work out a way to share the spotlight?' (Publication summary)
2022 shortlisted REAL Awards — Fiction for Younger Readers
y separately published work icon Going Green Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2017 10954297 2017 single work children's fiction children's

'Ella’s school is going green! And there’s going to be an ELECTION to choose a Planet Protector CAPTAIN. Being Captain is Ella’s dream: she’ll be in charge of all the cool projects AND get to wear a sparkly uniform! But sneaky Peach Parker wants to be Captain too, and will stop at nothing to GET MORE VOTES. Will Ella get the TOP JOB, or will Peach rule the school once again?' (Publication summary)
2021 shortlisted REAL Awards — Fiction for Younger Readers
2018 shortlisted The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature — Fiction
VIEW ALL AWARDS
Last amended 30 Oct 2019 11:44:08
See Also
Paul Collins
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