Robin Klein


Robin McMaugh Klein is an Australian author of books for children. She was born in Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia, and now resides near Melbourne.

Early life

Robin Klein is one of nine children. She had her first short story published at the age of 16. She worked in a number of jobs before becoming an established writer, including tea lady at a warehouse, bookshop assistant, nurse, copper enamelist, and program aide at a school for disadvantaged children. In 1981, she was awarded a Literature Board grant for writing, and since then, she has published more than 20 books. Robin Klein was educated at Newcastle Girls' High School.

Career

Several of her books have been short-listed for the Children's Book Council of Australia Children's Book of the Year Award, including Hating Alison Ashley and Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left. Klein's novel Came Back to Show You I Could Fly won a human rights award for literature in 1989 and also won the 1990 CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers. It was filmed as Say a Little Prayer in 1993.
Several of her other books have received awards in Australia, including the South Australian Festival Award for Literature, which she won in 1998 with The Listmaker. Many others, including Boss of the Pool, have also won or been short-listed.
Robin Klein suffered an aneurysm rupture, and while she survived, since 2005, she has lived in a nursing home and is no longer able to write or do significant publicity work for her books.

Awards

Collections

Ratbags and Rascals : Funny Stories, illustrated by Alison LesterSnakes and Ladders : poems about the ups and downs of life, illustrated by Ann James
  • ''Tearaways''

Penny Pollard books

illustrated by Ann James
  1. Penny Pollard's Diary
  2. Penny Pollard's Letters
  3. Penny Pollard in Print
  4. Penny Pollard's Passport
  5. Penny Pollard's Guide to Modern Manners
  6. ''Penny Pollard's Scrapbook''

''Thing'' books

  1. Thing illustrated by Alison Lester
  2. Thingnapped!
  3. Thing Finds a Job, illustrated by Alison Lester
  4. Thing's Concert, illustrated by Alison Lester
  5. Thing's Birthday, illustrated by Alison Lester
  6. Thingitis, illustrated by Alison Lester

The Melling Sisters trilogy

  1. All in the Blue Unclouded Weather
  2. Dresses of Red and Gold
  3. ''The Sky in Silver Lace''

Miscellaneous

The Giraffe in Pepperell Street, illustrated by Gill TomblinJunk Castle, illustrated by Rolf HeimannPeople Might Hear You Oodoolay , illustrated by Vivienne GoodmanBrock and the Dragon, illustrated by Rodney McRaeHating Alison Ashley Thalia, the Failure, illustrated by Rhyll PlantThe Enemies, illustrated by Noela YoungHalfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left Serve Him Right!, illustrated by John BurgeYou're on Your Own! Good For Something Separate Places, illustrated by Astra LacisGames, illustrated by Melissa WebbBoss of the Pool The Princess who Hated It, illustrated by Maire SmithRobin Klein's Crookbook, illustrated by Kristen HilliardDon't Tell Lucy Birk, the Berserker, illustrated by Alison LesterThe Lonely Hearts Club, with Max DannI Shot an Arrow, illustrated by Geoff HockingChristmas, illustrated by Kristen HilliardLaurie Loved Me Best Jane's Mansion, illustrated by Melissa WebbThe Kidnapping of Clarissa Montgomery, illustrated by Jane Wallace-MitchellAgainst the Odds, illustrated by Bill WoodHonoured Guest Came Back to Show You I Could Fly The Ghost in Abigail Terrace, illustrated by Margaret PowerBoris and Borsch, illustrated by Cathy WilcoxAmy's Bed, illustrated by Coral TullochSeeing Things Turn Right for Zyrgon The Listmaker Barney's Blues, illustrated by David CoxThe Goddess, illustrated by Anne SpudvilasGabby's Fair, illustrated by Michael JohnsonAnything Happens
  • ''Tor Atar Gu''

Adaptations

Television

ThingPenny Pollard's DiaryHalfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left, adapted by Michael Harvey and John Reeves

Stage

Hating Alison Ashley: The Play, adapted by Richard TullochBoss of the Pool, adapted by Mary Morris

Film

Say a Little Prayer, based on Came Back to Show You I Could Fly, adapted and directed by Richard Lowenstein Hating Alison Ashley, adapted for the screen by Chris Anastassiades and Christine Madafferi