Hello. I’m Sarah.
I’ve written three books for young readers. My latest, Run, is a survival, adventure story set in the Australian bush and - most happily! - has been shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Award and the YABBA/KOALA kids choice award, and longlisted for the Davitt Award for crime writing.
My next survival story for young readers, The Wave, has just headed to the printers and will be out in August 2026.
In a previous life, I was an ABC journalist and I wrote novels for adults.
I write at a desk looking over my wild, subtropical garden (or in my bed) with my dog Louie close by, and I drink far too much tea while I work.
The Wave - out 18 August
Thirteen-year old Max is home alone when he gets the warning: a tsunami is coming, and he has to get to higher ground right now.
With precious minutes ticking away, Max faces some impossible choices. Should he leave town with everyone else, or try to find his beloved dog Ralph, first?
If he stays, can he survive on his own - or should he band together with whoever’s left? Only one thing is clear. Max had better choose fast because the wave will hit any moment …
“The Wave is so gripping and compellingly readable that this reviewer devoured it in less than a day. The engaging storytelling, drama and complex social and interpersonal dynamics will have fans of Sarah Armstrong’s exceptional Run and the I Survived series completely hooked until the final page.”
- Tamuz Ellazam for Readings
“The novel does exactly what good survival fiction should do by taking a primal fear, adding a ticking clock and making you wonder what you would do in the same situation. It is propulsive and perfectly pitched for readers who want realistic danger without the story becoming too grim.“
Run
Cas thought running away from home would solve all his problems. But he didn’t count on getting hopelessly lost in the tangled Australian bush.
Alone and afraid, Cas has given up all hope of rescue when he stumbles upon a strange family hiding out in the wilderness.
He won’t survive without their help.
But when he discovers they are also on the run - from something so big they won’t even talk about it - he realises his problems are just beginning.
‘Run’ is ideal for readers aged 9–14 who love high-stakes adventure set in the real world, and suspense/thriller fans who want high-stakes/high intrigue plots without too much grit or violence.
“With its blend of suspense, emotional depth and thought-provoking themes, Run will resonate with readers aged 10+. The high-stakes plot and social justice angle are age-appropriate, avoiding unnecessary grit or violence and making the story suitable for the target audience.”
Books + Publishing
“I devoured it in one night. If you want to know what will solve the reading crisis for young males, it’s books like this. Bravo Sarah! “
@middlegrademusings
Fancy some bite-sized, kid-friendly podcasts on writing craft? My writing group and I put out a weekly pod called ‘Five Writers Five Minutes’. Each week we weigh in on a different topic. eg. Raising the Stakes, Writing Exciting Scenes, What To Do When Writing is Hard, and Brainstorming a Story.The five writers are Deborah Abela, Tristan Bancks, Zanni Louise, Lian Tanner and me. And the five minutes sometimes turns into eight, but we do our best to keep it short and sharp! Check us out on YouTube or your favourite podcast streaming service, like Buzzsprout.
