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James Moloney James Moloney i(A33101 works by) (a.k.a. James Francis Moloney; Jim Moloney)
Born: Established: 1954 Sydney, New South Wales, ;
Gender: Male
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BiographyHistory

James Moloney was born in 1954 in Sydney, but grew up and was educated in Brisbane. Moloney completed his primary school teacher training at Mt Gravatt Teachers College (subsequently part of Griffith University), and holds a degree in educational studies, and diplomas in teacher-librarianship and computer education. He has taught in a number of Queensland State Schools, and from 1983 to 1998 worked as a teacher-librarian at Brisbane's Marist College, Ashgrove. He resigned from teaching in 1998 in order to write full-time.

Moloney considers himself 'a person with a bit of a need to write'. The spark for his writing career was a single unexpected event in November 1976. As a first-year primary school teacher, he was transferred to Cunnamulla, in the far West of Queensland. 'There he spent the next two years absorbed in the history, culture and community of the pastoral town and its district. It was a place rich in inspiration for him' (Steinberger, Kevin, 1994) and resulted in three novels: Crossfire, Dougy, and Gracey.

He published his first book, Crossfire, in 1992 with The University of Queensland. It won the 1993 Family Award for Children's Literature and it was also listed in Children's Book Council of Australia, Notable Books 1993. The success continued with his second novel Dougy and sequel Gracy published in 1993, which explored race relations, again showing his ability to explore the social dimensions of our society. Both novels received a number of awards in 1994 and 1995, including Family Awards for Children's Literature, Australian Human Rights Awards - Certificate of Commendation in Children's Literature category, Multicultural Children's Literature Award - Senior Section, Honour Book CBC Children's Book of the Year Awards, and a shortlisting for the Children's Book Council of Australia awards.

In 1996, Moloney wrote his first novel for younger readers, Swashbuckler, winning the Children's Book Council of Australia Book Award for Younger Readers. Some of his more recent novels include The House on River Terrace (1995), Buzzard Breath and Brains (1998), Angela (1998), The Snake Man (1999), Touch Me (2000), and Blue Hair Day (2000).

Since 2010, Moloney has published the fantasy trilogy Silvermay Hawker and standalone historical fantasy Disappearing Act, as well as historical children's fiction.

Moloney's works have been taught in universities across Australia, and among the awards for individual works, he also holds the Centenary Medal for services to Australian society and literature.

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon The Young Vikings Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2018 12319673 2018 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction

'When his village is attacked, Hauk Johanson has no choice but to step up and lead the young Vikings on a quest for revenge. But there is one problem: the young Vikings have never fought in battle. Can Hauk and his friends master the skills of sword and axe in time? Will the Gods be on their side? And does Hauk have what it takes to lead when the fate of an entire village lies in his hands?' (Publication summary)

2019 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Younger Readers
y separately published work icon The Beauty Is in the Walking Sydney : HarperCollins Australia , 2015 8536952 2015 single work novel young adult

''Sometimes you got to show some mongrel. There's mongrel in you, little brother, more than you realise.'

'Everyone thinks they know what Jacob O'Leary can and can't do - and they're not shy about telling him either.

'But no one - not even Jacob - knows what he's truly capable of. And he's desperate for the chance to work it out for himself.

'When a shocking and mystifying crime sends his small country town reeling, and fingers start pointing at the newcomer, Jacob grabs the chance to get out in front of the pack and keep mob rule at bay. He's convinced that the police have accused the wrong guy; that the real villain is still out there. And he's determined to prove it - and himself - to everyone.' (Publication summary)

2016 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Older Readers
y separately published work icon Bridget : A New Australian Parkside : Omnibus Books , 2015 8444375 2015 single work children's fiction children's

'Bridget's family has been turned out of their home during the Irish potato famine and their only refuge is the workhouse where living conditions are hard and freezing and the food sparse. There is one chance for Bridget and her sister - to take a ship to a new country and become Australians. But will they survive the journey, let alone the challenges that await them in a far away land?' (Publication summary)

2016 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Younger Readers
Last amended 21 Aug 2019 14:50:21
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