Whitby pupil wins national writing competition
The 12-year-old got creative for Pearson's 'My Twist on a Tale: Our Tomorrow' writing competition
A 12-year-old school pupil from Whitby has won a national writing competition.
Erin Cooper, who goes to Caedmon College, was selected as one of 17 winners and she will now see her futuristic story about monsters published in a brand-new book.
It is part of Pearson's 'My Twist on a Tale: Our Tomorrow' writing competition.
In autumn 2021, the learning company asked children and young people between the ages of four to 19 to put pen to paper and write their own stories and poems of the future.
Erin’s story, The Day the Monsters Came, recalls the day the monsters came, after which 21 people disappear in seven months. Young or old, no one feels safe. Her tale describes how the attacks become more common and more vicious. People board up their houses and stockpile food as the monsters, disguised as humans, seem intent on devouring the human race.
It comes to light that the first humans to be murdered, who the community thought of as victims, are actually a part of the monsters themselves. Security footage captures people walking and disappearing into the monsters before them. There is news of further investigations, denial and coverups, but the truth becomes impossible to ignore: that the creatures hunting humans down were once people just like them.
Erin said: "I'm really proud that my story got chosen. It was a concept I thought of because apocalypse stories are really interesting, but the idea that everyone would be suspicious of each other and that no one could ever be sure they were safe seemed like it could present a lot more twists and challenges."
Lindsay Nadin, Director of Primary Learning Service and Direct to Learner at Pearson, said: "Erin should be extremely proud of the story she has written. Her creativity and writing skills make her a worthy winner, alongside the 16 other young authors whose stories and poems ranged from earthlings zipping around on hoverboards, to the need for new laws to keep people safe.
"At Pearson, we are committed to empowering schools to give their students different opportunities to excel, and develop essential skills needed for their futures. My Twist on a Tale allows us to encourage and excite young children with writing, motivating them to create work that represents their own perspectives of the world in which we live, and find joy in the written word. Everyone who submitted a story should be very proud of their creation."
Fay Lant, Head of School Programmes at the National Literacy Trust, who was one of the My Twist on a Tale judges, said: "The action in Erin's story felt like it was being reported by a journalist throughout. The effect of this was that the dystopian future felt more closely connected to our present. Erin showed creativity in the development of the 'monster' characters, at the same time, adding to the sense of mystery. Great job Erin!"
The competition was supported by a range of partners including The Reading Agency, National Literacy Trust, Love Reading, Authors Aloud, Parentkind, Governor Cymru Services, Book Love, Bookmark, Gingerbread, Heady Mix and Coram Beanstalk.
For more details about Pearson's book visit their website.