How to Make a Bird

How to Make a Bird by Australian author Martine Murray is a 2003 children's novel which centres on a young adolescent girl called Mannie. Mannie has faced a myriad of losses and challenges throughout her short life. Little by little they begin to make her question her identity. In order to escape her insecurities about who she is, Mannie decides to embark on a journey of self-discovery, enlightenment and acceptance. The book was the winner of the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards Young Adult award in 2004,

Setting
How to Make a Bird is set primarily in a small country town somewhere near Castlemaine and Harcourt in Victoria. The other main setting is Melbourne, where Mannie goes when she runs away.