AustLit logo
Kate Constable Kate Constable i(A25364 works by)
Gender: Female
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Works By

Preview all
1 y separately published work icon Tumbleglass Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2023 25415482 2023 single work children's fiction children's fantasy science fiction

'A wonderful time-slip novel full of secrets, family relationships and quiet magic, from the award-winning author of the bestselling and much-loved novels Crow CountryCicada Summer and The January Stars.

'Thirteen-year-old Rowan is helping her older sister Ash paint her bedroom when she discovers a mysterious ring that transports them both back in time to 1999. To a party being held in the very same house!

'While Ash dances, Rowan unwittingly disrupts the laws of time, and when she wakes up back in the present day, her sister is missing, and - even worse - everyone in their family seems to be forgetting she ever existed.

'With the help of her magical neighbour Verity, Rowan must find the courage to travel back through the history of the house. But can she find everything she needs to rescue Ash before her sister disappears forever?

'A warm and beautifully told time-slip novel, brimming with secrets, gentle magic and the strong bonds of family, from one of Australia best-loved children's book authors.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon The January Stars Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2020 18508640 2020 single work children's fiction children's

'When fourteen-year-old Tash and her twelve-year old sister Clancy visit their Pa at his aged-care facility, they have no idea that the three of them will soon set out on an intrepid adventure. Along the way there are many challenges for Tash and Clancy to overcome. In the process, they discover their own resourcefulness and resilience; and demonstrate their heartfelt love for their grandfather.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1 The Magic of Memory Kate Constable , 2016 single work autobiography
— Appears in: The Book That Made Me 2016;
1 Swallow the Moon Kate Constable , Priya Kuriyan (illustrator), 2015 single work short story graphic novel young adult
— Appears in: Eat the Sky, Drink the Ocean 2015;

A young woman undergoes initiation into adulthood through intimate contact with the sea and the moon. At first seemingly set in some ‘ancient’ past amongst a ‘tribal’ people, ‘Swallow the Moon’ eventually reveals itself as occurring instead in a de-evolved, post-apocalyptic future. Traditional emblems of femininity are used liberally and uncritically, providing opportunities for students to locate and critique their use without authorial bias. 

1 2 y separately published work icon New Guinea Moon Kate Constable , Sydney : Allen and Unwin , 2013 Z1926087 2013 single work novel young adult 'Julie has grown up not knowing her father, with just the occasional Christmas card and the knowledge that he flies planes for a charter company in New Guinea. When she comes to stay with him one long summer, she learns to appreciate not only her long-lost father and his love of flying, but also New Guinea itself and the people she meets. An awkward romance with a young expat contrasts with her growing attraction to the son of a local coffee plantation owner. And, left to her own devices much of the time, Julie learns to rely on herself and gain her own independence. A tragedy and then a mystery leave her reeling, but force her to evaluate what she really wants out of life.' (Publisher's blurb)
1 1 Crow Country : Treading Ambiguous Pathways Kate Constable , 2011 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , September vol. 26 no. 4 2011; (p. 18-20)
2 12 y separately published work icon Crow Country Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2011 Z1809112 2011 single work children's fiction children's adventure fantasy (taught in 2 units) 'Beginning and ending, always the same, always now. The game, the story, the riddle, hiding and seeking. Crow comes from this place; this place comes from Crow. And Crow has work for you.

'Sadie isn't thrilled when her mother drags her from the city to live in the country town of Boort. But soon she starts making connections - connections with the country, with the past, with two boys, Lachie and Walter, and, most surprisingly, with the ever-present crows.

'When Sadie is tumbled back in time to view a terrible crime, she is pulled into a strange mystery. Can Sadie, Walter and Lachie figure out a way to right old wrongs, or will they be condemned to repeat them?' (From the publisher's website.)
1 1 y separately published work icon Dear Swoosie Kate Constable , Penni Russon , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2010 Z1662612 2010 single work novel young adult

'India can see the future, and Poppy has a past. And when they discover old letters in the school attic it seems destiny has a plan for them. Who is the mysterious Swoosie? What does she have to do with Poppy's high-school sweetheart parents, and India's mum? Meanwhile plans for the reunion of the class of '89 are underway, and there's a lot of bad hair going round.

'Does the past have the power to change the future and can the future heal the past? India and Poppy are about to find out.' (From the publisher's website.)

1 2 y separately published work icon Winter of Grace Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2009 Z1667044 2009 single work novel young adult 'At a peace rally, Bridie and Stella rescue a cute Christian boy. He introduces Bridie to a whole world she never knew existed. The girls' friendship has survived Stella changing schools, both girls being interested in the same boy, and so much more. But what will happen when Bridie's new interests and ideas collide with Stella's?' (From the publisher's website.)
2 7 y separately published work icon Cicada Summer Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2009 Z1588530 2009 single work children's fiction children's fantasy

'Eloise doesn't speak, but can she see into the past? An exciting and atmospheric mystery, poignant and gripping, exploring themes of family, friendship and grief.

'Something flickered at the top of the stairs. Eloise heard a voice call, I'm coming!, and a girl in a pale dress and a big sunhat came running, her fingertips slipping down the curve of the slim iron railing. Eloise went cold all over. She couldn't move, or breathe; her mouth was dry. At the bottom of the steps, the girl in the pale dress faltered, then stopped. For a fraction of a second she stood motionless, as if she were listening. Then all at once she turned and stared straight at Eloise. And suddenly the foyer was empty. The ghostly girl was gone.

When Eloise's get-rich-quick dad moves them back to his home town to turn the derelict family mansion into a convention center, Eloise feels an immediate bond with the old house. She begins spending all her time there, ignoring her strange grandmother and avoiding the friendly boy next door. Then Eloise meets a "ghost girl" who may or may not be from the house's past, and events take a strange—and ultimately dangerous—turn. Beautifully written, poignant, and gripping, this is a charming and atmospheric story of personal growth, overcoming grief, and the true nature of friendship and family. ' (Publication summary)

1 3 y separately published work icon Always Mackenzie Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2008 Z1469839 2008 single work novel young adult

'"I solemnly swear that I will never, ever be friends with Mackenzie Woodrow as long as we both shall live," said Jem. "Excellent," said Mackenzie. Jem is a nerd, smart and forthright. Mackenzie is a golden girl, excelling at schoolwork, sport and drama, and popular with everyone. One night, at the Year 10 camp, Jem and Mackenzie strike up an unlikely friendship and are soon spending all their time together. But when camp ends, can Mackenzie and Jem maintain their bond at school, with all its unspoken rules, fierce cliques and easy misunderstandings?

'A lively and poignant story about the intensity of true friendship.' (Publisher's blurb)

1 The White Boat Kate Constable , 2008 single work short story children's
— Appears in: Short : A Collection of Interesting Short Stories and Other Stuff from Some Surprising and Intelligent People 2008; (p. 67-74)
1 8 y separately published work icon The Taste of Lightning Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2007 Z1342346 2007 single work novel young adult adventure fantasy

'Tansy, Perrin, and Skir could hardly be more different - a laundry-maid, a swordsman and a young Priest-King whose countries are at war. But their frantic escape from Arvestel thrusts them together. Pursued by soldiers, haunted by the Witch-Woman's sinister magic, they ride for their lives through hostile lands.

To survive they must learn to trust each other, strip away the layers of deception that surround Skir, and challenge the tyranny of the Witch-Woman. But what will happen if all truths are revealed? And will the power of the Priest-King be enough to bring peace to the Threelands?' (Publisher's blurb)

2 3 y separately published work icon The Tenth Power Kate Constable , Melbourne : Allen and Unwin , 2005 Z1183130 2005 single work novel young adult adventure fantasy 'A dark secret is tearing Tremaris apart. From the frozen Bay of Sardi to the endless winter of Antaris, sickness is spreading and even the seasons are slipping into chaos.

Calwyn has lost her powers of chantment and flees back to Antaris. But instead of sanctuary she finds the community ravaged by a mysterious snow-sickness and torn apart by tyranny. When she learns that Darrow, too, has been infected, Calwyn begins a desperate race through the frozen forests. But will she find the answers in time to heal him? And will she have the courage to embrace the dark magic and save Tremaris?

The Tenth Power brings the Chanters of Tremaris series to an enthralling conclusion.
1 Dr Barbie Kate Constable , 2004 single work short story
— Appears in: Meanjin , vol. 63 no. 4 2004; (p. 192-198)
2 2 y separately published work icon The Waterless Sea Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2003 Z1056609 2003 single work novel young adult fantasy adventure 'Tremaris is a land divided. From the islands of Firthana, across the deserts of Merithuros to the sinister Black Palace of Hathara, the healing can only begin when the dark magic is unravelled.

Calwyn and her friends travel to the Merithuran Empire in search of kidnapped children. They must survive the vast and unforgiving desert and the treacherous Palace of Cobwebs, where they uncover the shameful secret that binds the Empire.

Meanwhile, Darrow has formed a dubious alliance with rebels and is marching on the Black Palace. Can he be trusted now that he has the power of the great Ring of Lyonssar? In a stunning climax, Calwyn's actions have greater consequences than she could ever have imagined.' (Publisher's blurb)
1 Life, the Universe and Everything : Fantasy, Fairy Tales and Philosophy Kate Constable , 2002 single work column
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Summer vol. 10 no. 4 2002; (p. 16-17)
1 Influences : Kate Constable Kate Constable , Frances Atkinson , 2002 single work column
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 3 November 2002; (p. 10) The West Australian , 1 February 2003; (p. 14)
2 6 y separately published work icon The Singer of All Songs Kate Constable , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2002 Z987216 2002 single work novel young adult fantasy adventure 'In the world of Tremaris, magic is fading away. From the ice Wall of Antaris to the hostile streets of Mithates, to the forests of Spiridrell and beyond, Tremaris is a land divided.

Calwyn knows nothing of the world beyond Antaris. She lives quietly tending the bees and learning the chantment of ice-call. But then comes Darrow with terrible stories of fear and hatred in the Outlands, where chanters are persecuted and magic is a dying art.

Defying the Head Priestess, Calwyn and Darrow embark on a journey through strange and wondrous places. But evil stalks them at every turn, and soon they are caught up in a dangerous adventure, pitted against the sorcerer Samis who seeks the ultimate power of the Singer of all Songs.' (Publisher's blurb)
1 y separately published work icon Chanters of Tremaris Kate Constable , 2002-2005 Z1342341 2002-2005 series - author novel young adult fantasy adventure
X