Childhood: A memoir of growing up, parenting, teaching, and discovering what children need most

by Brendan James Murray

Brendan Murray redefines memoir in this haunting excavation of his own experiences as a child, teacher and parent to discover why imagination is so important throughout our lives.


Brendan James Murray's childhood was one of stark vivid imaginative adventures but also disadvantage, fear and the shadow of a school he spent months refusing to attend.

When a silhouette on a freeway overpass forces him to confront the ghosts of his own childhood, he has a defining realisation about the extraordinary power of imagination to transform lives, and the degree to which it has been neglected.

Childhood is a vital and deeply personal investigation into how we can help children find their place in the world, drawn from Brendan's profound and unique perspective as a child, teacher and parent.

This haunting, uplifting memoir is a must-read for everyone seeking to understand how the crucial and overlooked absence of a rich inner life in childhood echoes through all our adult years.

From the acclaimed author of The the ups and downs of one year in the classroom.

Genres: Memoir

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Jim KABLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-imagining Imagination

Brendan James Murray has the imaginative power to take us into parallel possibilities so vivid and real that they rescue the grief one feels for the loss of Aiden. For the loss of all those from all the Seadales of our world. For the data and product-driven accountability of the ways even for the study of literature - reductive of the imagination needed for leading young people towards creativity and of the ability of teachers to head off into sideways discussion and fostering of real engagement - I feel so much grief myself as a teacher of English from many decades ago - when times were freer - not bound by the ugliness of NAPLAN or other measurement systems - and there was time for imagining. I continue to be amazed by BJM’s ability to tackle the range of subjects he has to date and am already looking forward to his next - no pressure!

[Steven Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glittering work of brilliance, something we should all read if we have an interest in the nature of youth and childhood and how teaching interacts with that, but also how society navigates this stage.

[Rachel Von Ravenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving, engaging, and necessary read, Childhood reminds us of both the vital role of imagination in childhood as well as the importance of maintaining and cultivating that same mindset in adulthood.

Told through reminiscences of the author's own youth, Childhood is at times touching, at times uncomfortable, and at times dark, but ultimately hopeful.

Beautifully written, I couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend for those with children in their lives as well as for those wanting to reconnect with the imaginative child within.

[Mark Winslade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Brendan. While this is not my go-to genre of book, as a new parent I found myself captured by the story and insights in each chapter. Brendan has an amazing way with words that makes you feel like you were there, every step of the way. An absolute must read.

[Darren F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Another great book from this great author

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reality for so many children, but their story never told. Loved the interweaving of childhood, parenting, teaching and the real stories of other children growing up.

[Suzie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although quite interesting discussion points, experiences and reflections, overall I found the execution clunky and patchy.

[Jack Prebble · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly moving and thought provoking memoir that challenged me as a teacher, parent and human. My heart breaks for what so many children in our society have to navigate growing up and hope for a world where children feel safe enough to dream.
I am going to be a different teacher because of this book.
And also because of this book, tonight I took my little daughters outside and showed them the night sky and the stars and we talked of rocket ships.

[Paige Jessulat · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Childhood’ is a reflective, raw and honest articulation of pretty much everything that matters in the education sphere. And beyond. Especially beyond.

Where before discussion of an abstract concept like a parallel universe would have put me off, Brendan’s writing had me riveted. Ok yes, I was characteristically hyperfixated on determining which tangent was in fact the real one. And no I’m still not sure. But I was primarily curious. Curious where his thoughts would take my own. Curious about the “somewhere” that I knew all his talk of “nowhere” was leading. And amazed. Amazed at how lucky any student to ever be in his classroom is, though they may not realise it. Frustrated. At the issues he highlights and how simply un-simple any solution would be. Could be.

I won’t do his analysis (?) of the power of imagination and the detriments of criteria justice (and now I’m questioning why it matters and why I won’t even try - who’s criteria am I trying to meet?) but I will say that this piece of writing has intentionally prompted important reflection from start to finish.

As a teacher who realised “too late” that they joined the profession for the “wrong” reasons, Brendan’s writing has illuminated how arbitrary, unnecessary, and downright limiting these self-imposed criteria are. Maybe in a parallel universe I would care more about the things that other people think teachers should care about.

Maybe in another, I’d not have worked in a school at all.

Or not picked up this book.

But I’m glad I did.