Children's Story Competition 2008
Firstly I would like to say how happy I am to be judging this competition and being able to read all your wonderful stories. I have been amazed by the variety and quality of all the entries.
Although my job is to illustrate and write children's books I have rarely had the opportunity to read so many stories actually written by children. It has been enlightening.
Your stories have been imaginative, creative and detailed. Many have been moving and insightful, exciting or dramatic. Collectively they have covered a wide range of subjects and experiences. Many dealt with difficult emotional dilemmas with admirable skill. Altogether a huge spectrum of emotions have been explored from great joy to terrible sadness.
I have been delighted to discover such a wealth of talent and I have no doubt that some of you are on your way to becoming the authors of the future.
Carolyn Uff
Judge
Children's Story Competition 2008
CATEGORY 1 (7-9 years)
The Winner
Catherine, aged 9, Surrey
"Leave Me Alone"
Excellent story, well written. The more imaginative elements work very well and the central characters are very realistic. The use of dialogue is impressive.
Second Place
Meredith, aged 9, Derbyshire
"Leave Me Alone"
A nice circular story, great descriptive writing. Extremely well written with a very strong story line.
Third Place
Carla, aged 8, Oxon
"Leave Me Alone"
A very honest story with great emotional content.
Ten Excellent Stories:
Maisie, aged 9, Lancashire
"Leave Me Alone"
Angel, aged 8, Croydon
"The Day the Aliens Took Over My School"
Deepesh, aged 8, Croydon
"The Day the Aliens Took Over My School"
Joshua, aged 9, London
"Leave Me Alone"
Oliver, aged 7, Croydon
"Journal of a Super Hero"
Lana, aged 9, Croydon
"If Only I Had Not"
Ellamae, aged 9, Norfolk
"Journal of a Super Hero"
Ruby, aged 8, London
"The Day Aliens Took Over My School"
Peter, aged 8, Rugby
"If Only I Had Not"
Christopher, aged 7, Croydon
"The Day Aliens Took Over My School"
Five Good Stories:
Adelya, aged 9, Russia
"The Day Aliens Took Over My School"
Eve, aged 9, London
"If Only I Had Not"
Dylan, aged 9, Newcastle upon Tyne
"Journal of a Super Hero"
Akiko, aged 9, London
"Ant Army"
Alice, aged 7, Croydon
"The Day Aliens Took Over My School"
CATEGORY 2 (10-12 years)
The Winner
Abigail, aged 11, East Yorkshire
"Leave Me Alone"
Sad and touching. A finely constructed story extremely well written with extraordinary insight.
Second Place
Antoinette, aged 12, Gosport
"Leave Me Alone"
An extremely likeable writing style that flows well. A very serious subject tackled with clarity, compassion and humour.
Third Place
Rachel, aged 11, Leeds
"The Lonely Girl"
A dark, creepy, atmospheric tale. Strange and menacing, a highly imaginative, original story very well written.
Ten Excellent Stories:
Katherine, aged 12, Leicestershire
"If Only I Had Not"
Amina, aged 10, London
"Leave Me Alone"
Kathleen, aged 12, Scotland
"If Only I Had Not"
Sam, aged 12, Surrey
"The Mysterious Adventures of the Ant Army"
Bethany, aged 12, Somerset
"If Only I Had Not"
Rory, aged 11, Somerset
"If Only I Had Not"
Harriet, aged 12, Nottingham
"Leave Me Alone"
Elizabeth, aged 10, Essex
"If Only I Had Not"
Nina, aged 12, West Yorkshire
"The Day Aliens Took Over My School"
Georgia, aged 10, London
"Leave Me Alone"
Five Good Stories:
Rebecca, aged 12,
"Leave Me Alone"
Keeley, aged 10, Stoke-on-Trent
"The Day Aliens Took Over My School"
Catriona, aged 10,
"The Day Aliens Took Over My School"
Michael, aged 10, Ireland
"If Only I Had Not - All Hallows Eve"
Amy, aged 10, Carnwath
"Leave Me Alone"
CATEGORY 3 (13-15 years)
The Winner
Iman, aged 13, Surrey
"Leave Me Alone"
Gritty, sharp and intelligent. An excellent piece of writing. Fast paced and exciting.
Second Place
Elizabeth, aged 15, Kent
"Leave Me Alone"
A highly detailed, lovely, descriptive text. Touching and truthful.
Third Place
Opeyemi, aged 13, Kent
"If Only I Had Not"
A hugely difficult subject, exciting, original and honest.
Ten Excellent Stories:
Hannah, aged 13, Derbyshire
"Leave Me Alone"
Lucy, aged 13, West Yorkshire
"Leave Me Alone"
Rebecca, aged 14, Essex
"Leave Me Alone"
Katie, aged 13, London
"If Only I Had Not"
Hannah, aged 13, Derbyshire
"Leave Me Alone"
Ramaissah, aged 13, Huddersfield
"If Only I Had Not"
Evangeline, aged 15, West Glamorgan
"An Honoured Coward"
Hannah, aged 13, Derbyshire
"If Only I Had Not"
Evie, aged 13, Oxfordshire
"If Only I Had Not"
CATEGORY 4 (16-18 years)
The Winner
Anna, aged 17, Cornwall
"If Only I Had Not"
A very interesting and original concept, very well executed. Excellent confessional narrative. A sharp, intelligent, moving piece of writing.
Second Place
Lauren, aged 16, Cheshire
"If Only I Had Not"
An honest angry voice. A moving and unique story, brave and confident.
Third Place
Matthew, aged 17, Derbyshire
"If Only I Had Not"
A professional writing style, highly detailed. Quite poetic. A strange dark tale of obsession and revenge.
Excellent Stories:
Andre, aged 17, Malta
"Leave Me Alone"
Matthew, aged 17, Derbyshire
"If Only I Had Not"
Josephe-Anne, aged 17, Canada
"Mysterious Adventures of the Ant Army"
Best Overall School:
Parish Church (CE) Junior School, Croydon
We'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to enter the Children's Story Competition and for giving us a host of fantastic stories to read and enjoy.
Submissions for the next Children's Story Competition will be accepted from Friday 1 May 2009.
For all queries please call us direct on 0845 456 5364 or alternatively you can e-mail us or write to us at Chapter One Promotions, Canterbury Court, 1-3 Brixton Road, London, SW9 6DE, England. We look forward to hearing from you.
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