Award winning writer, Norman Jorgensen is one of WA’s most versatile writers for young people with a dozen books published. Norman has worked in the book trade for much of his life and, in his spare time, he loves to read, travel and take photographs, especially of castles, cathedrals, villages, battlefields, sailing ships and all the things that make history so exciting!He was born in Broome but now lives in a 100-year-old house near the city with his wife, Jan, who shares his love of children’s books. Many of his books have strong historical themes, and he has won numerous awards for his writing, including In Flanders Fields, which won Picture Book of the Year. Another picture book, The Call of the Osprey, is set on the Swan River in 1910, and is a poignant and beautiful story. His picture book, The Last Viking, illustrated by James Foley, a story about bullying and imagination has also won numerous awards. Jack’s Island, set on Rottnest Island during World War II, is studied by many students in Years 5 to 8. His latest novel The Smugglers’ Curse is being published on October 3rd, 2016, and is an exciting, action-packed adventure set in Broome, Fremantle, Albany and South-East Asia in 1896 and promises to be a huge hit.
Publications and Awards
Ashe of the Outback Thomas Catt Publishers 1992 (Graphic novel)
Ashe on Parade Thomas Catt Publishers 1992 (Graphic novel)
Ashe: The Great Escapes Thomas Catt Publishers 1994 (Graphic novel)
In Flanders Fields Fremantle Arts Centre Press 2002 (Picture Book)
Shortlist, WA Premier’s Literature Awards 2002
Winner, CBC Picture Book of the Year 2003
Honour Book, American SPCA, Henry Burgh Award 2004
In Flanders Fields (Paperback) FACP 2002 (Picture Book)
In Flanders Fields (Paperback ) Simply Read Books USA Canadian Edition
The Call of the Osprey Fremantle Arts Centre Press 2004(Picture Book)
Shortlisted, WA Premier’s Literature Awards 2004
A Fine Mess! Fremantle Arts Centre Press 2004 (YA Novel)
Shortlisted, WA Young Readers’ Book Award 2006
Another Fine Mess 002 Fremantle Arts Centre Press 2007 (YA Novel)
Jack’s Island Fremantle Press (YA Novel) 2008
Local Winner. WA Young Readers’ Book Award 2009
Honour Book. The Children Book Council of Australia Awards 2009
Shortlisted. The WA Premier’s Award 2009
The Last Viking Fremantle Press (Picture Book) July 2011
Winner. SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards 2012
Local Winner. WA Young Readers’ Book Award 2012
Shortlisted. South Australian Premier’s Award 2012
Shortlisted. Aurealis Award 2012
Shortlisted and Notable Book. Children’s Book Council Awards 2012
Winner, 2012 Children’s Book Council of Australia Junior Judges Awards, Early Childhood Book of the Year
The Last Viking Returns ( Picture Book) Fremantle Press
Shortlisted WAYRBA 2015
Shortlisted Aurealis Award 2015
Local Winner. WA Young Readers’ Book Award 2015
The Smuggler’s Curse (Upper Primary Novel) Fremantle Press October 3, 2016.
The Swan (Short story). Published by writingWA 2014
The Illuminator’s Apprentice (Picture Book) Under consideration
The Goldminer’s Son (Picture Book) Currently writing
Sons of the Desert: The Journal of Harry White (YA Novel) Currently writing
The Gr8 Escape (Picture Book) Currently writing
Norman Jorgensen 