Big Bookend 2014 is pleased to announce the winners of their two writing competitions for under 18s.
Pupils from eight different schools across Leeds took part in the challenge – for primary school pupils, to write a poem or story on the theme of pirates and adventure, and for young people aged 11-18, a book review.
Daniel Ingram-Brown, one of the judges for the primary schools’ section was delighted with the entries in this year’s competition:
“The stories ranged from funny and surreal, like Bo Hashemi’s Swash-Me-Buckle the Pirate, a tale about Captain Hook’s smelly sock, to Anthony Zhao’s dark, brooding story, How to Fight a Kraken. Seth Kellar made me laugh with his story, the Odd Dog, in which a crew of inept pirates confuse their dog for a parrot, and Harry Robinson’s jaunty poem, The Pirate Captain, was the deserved winner of the poetry section.”
Those judging the book reviews were also left without disappointment:
June Taylor said Saba Hussain’s review of The Quietness (Alison Rattle) really made her want to read the book. She called it honest and informative.
Of Nadia Mahmood’s review of Allegiant (Veronica Roth), Helen Brandom says:
“Nadia’s words have gone a long way to make me intrigued by a story that looks to be so strong on love and friendship.”
The Winners
The winners are announced ahead of the prize-giving, which will take place this coming weekend, 7-8th June, as part of the Big Bookend Festival. The Festival, dubbed Leeds’ very own Rock Festival for Words is now in its third year and promises a packed weekend programme with something for all ages.
Children’s Poetry: Harry Robinson, age 9
Children’s Story: Category age 5-7, Bo Hashemi for Swash-Me-Buckle the Pirate; category age 8-9, Seth Kellar for The Odd Dog; category age 10-11, Anthony Zhao for How to Fight a Kraken.
Review writing: category age 12-14, Saba Hussain, for her review of the Quietness, by Alison Rattle; category age 15-16, Nadia Mahmood for her review of Allegiant, by Veronica Roth.
