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Morris Gleitzman Morris Gleitzman i(A22100 works by)
Born: Established: 1953 Lincolnshire,
c
England,
c
c
United Kingdom (UK),
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Western Europe, Europe,
;
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: ca. 1969
Heritage: Jewish
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BiographyHistory

Columnist, scriptwriter and award-winning children's author Morris Gleitzman was born in England in 1953 and migrated to Australia with his parents when he was sixteen years old. After completing a course in professional writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education (now the University of Canberra), Gleitzman began his writing career in television. Among his television credits are the Norman Gunston Show, and two series for children, Winners and More Winners.

This successful 'taste' of writing for children (including an AWGIE Award for Best Original Children's Script in 1985 for The Other Facts of Life) led Gleitzman to publish his first novel - an adaptation of the script - in 1985.

Gleitzman's background in scriptwriting can be seen by the use of strong dialogue and action in his novels as a means of illustrating the characters' interior world. The use of humour as an engaging vehicle for serious themes is another hallmark of his work. These characteristics are embodied in all of his work for children, including his award-winning Two Weeks with the Queen (Family Award, 1990), Misery Guts (Honour Book, Children's Book Council of Australia, 1992) and Blabbermouth (Honour Book, CBCA, 1993; CROW Award, 1993; BILBY Award, 1993). Gleitzman's protagonists are contemporary, young, and all have to find some way of dealing with problems in their lives. These problems, which Gleitzman handles with both sensitivity and irreverent humour, range from the illness of a brother with cancer (Two Weeks with the Queen), to parents' depression (Misery Guts). Gleitzman has won numerous awards for his work, and his novels have been consistent winners in children's choice literary awards.

A number of Gleitzman's works have been successfully adapted to the stage: Two Weeks with the Queen (Mary Morris, 1992), Blabbermouth (Mary Morris, 1993), and Boy Overboard (Patricia Cornelius, 2005). In 1998, three of his works (Misery Guts, Worry Warts, and Puppy Fat) were adapted for the thirteen-episode television series Misery Guts.

For a number of years Gleitzman also wrote a column for the Sydney Morning Herald, later published as Gleitzman on Saturday. As well as his own novels, Gleitzman has collaborated with fellow children's author Paul Jennings on recent work, including the Wicked! series. Their Deadly! series was adapted for the screen by SLR Productions and the Nine Network in 2006.

Gleitzman was announced as the 2018-2019 Australian Children's Laureate.

Exhibitions

Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • (i) CA lists a novel for young people 'Poms' (1990); this has not been traced and it is doubtful that it was ever published, at least under that title
    (ii) OXAC incorrectly lists Gleitzman's given name as 'Maurice'.
  • Voted number 26 in the Booktopia Top 50 Favourite Australian Authors for 2018

  • Morris Gleitzman was chosen for the Australia Post 2019 Australian Legends of Children's Literature stamp issue . 

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Always Melbourne : Penguin , 2021 21861442 2021 single work children's fiction children's

'The much-anticipated final journey in the story of Felix, hero of Morris Gleitzman's multi-award-winning OnceThenNowAfter, Soon and Maybe.

'It's fifteen years since readers were first introduced to Felix in Once and across six celebrated books, our brave young hero has survived many unforgettable and emotional journeys. Now comes the seventh and final part of Felix's story, bringing to a powerful climax a series that countless young readers around the world will remember - Always.' (Publication summary)

2022 honour book KOALA Awards Fiction for Years 7-9
2022 shortlisted New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Books
2022 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Younger Readers
y separately published work icon Help Around the House Melbourne : Penguin , 2018 14690216 2018 single work children's fiction children's

'The funny and moving story of a boy and his friends never losing heart in a sometimes heartless world. Perfect for 8+ readers.

'Ludo helps other people. It’s how he was brought up.

'When Dad is elected to Federal Parliament, Ludo grabs the chance to make Australia an even better place.

'But he soon discovers it’s not the homeless of the national capital who most need his help - it’s the rich and powerful. ' (Publication summary)
 

2019 shortlisted REAL Awards Fiction for Older Readers
2019 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Younger Readers
y separately published work icon Maybe Melbourne : Viking , 2017 11572547 2017 single work children's fiction historical fiction

'1946. Europe is in ruins. Millions of people dream of finding happiness somewhere else.

'Fourteen year old Felix is one of them. When he’s offered a journey to Australia, he seizes the opportunity. So does someone very dear to him, even though she wasn’t actually invited.

'They have high hopes for Australia, and their dramatic arrival there makes them want to stay. But before Felix and Anya can embrace the love and friendship of their new land, they must confront the murderous urge for revenge still alive in the old.

'Felix knows he hasn’t faced anything like this before.

'He may not survive, but he’s hoping he will. Maybe.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

2019 winner KOALA Awards Fiction for Years 7-9
2019 winner KROC Awards Fiction Years 7-9
2019 winner YABBA Fiction Years 7-9
2019 shortlisted West Australian Young Readers' Book Award Older Readers
2018 honour book KOALA Awards Fiction for Years 7-9
2018 shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards Eight to 10 Years
2018 shortlisted REAL Awards Fiction for Years 7-9
2018 longlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Australian Book of the Year for Younger Children
Last amended 21 Oct 2019 11:37:26
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