Shirley Corlett facts for kids

Shirley Corlett, born on July 20, 1940, is a talented writer from New Zealand. She writes exciting stories for both kids and grown-ups. Shirley lives in Masterton, New Zealand.

About Shirley Corlett

Shirley Corlett was born in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 20, 1940. She grew up to become a well-known writer.

Her Books for Young Readers

Shirley started her writing journey with a historical novel called The Hanging Sky. After that, she wrote many books especially for children.

Several of her books have been recognized as Storylines Notable Books. This means they are considered some of the best books published in New Zealand for young readers.

Two of her books were even chosen as finalists for the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. The Weather-makers was a finalist in 2002, and You’ve Got Guts, Kenny Melrose was a finalist in 2005. These awards celebrate the best children's books in New Zealand.

Shirley has also written two books for the popular My Story series. These books tell historical stories from a child's point of view, making history come alive!

Helping Other Writers

Besides writing her own stories, Shirley also helps new writers. She works as a mentor, guiding them and sharing her knowledge. This helps new authors learn how to write great books too.

Shirley is married and lives in Masterton, New Zealand.

Awards and Special Recognition

Shirley Corlett has received some important awards for her writing.

Winning the Tom Fitzgibbon Award

Her first children's novel, The Stolen, won the Tom Fitzgibbon Award in 1999. This award is given to new writers for their first novel for children. It was a big step in her writing career!

Writer in Residence

In 2005, Shirley was chosen as a "Writer in Residence" at the University of Otago College of Education. This special role allowed her to spend time at the university, focusing on her writing and sharing her skills. She shared this honor with another writer, Margaret Beames.