Following fantastic creative writing workshops by some of the best children’s authors around, delivered in January and February to every class in every school on the Readers to Writers 2023 project we are excited to introduce…

…the top winners from the Readers to Writers 2023 creative writing competition.

These exciting young authors who have been inspired by their workshop leaders, have written their own books and have had their stories brought to life by way of a filmed narration for everyone to enjoy.

So now please sit back and enjoy watching and listening to these beautiful stories that have been written by some very talented young people across Shropshire…

FIRST PLACE:

KEY STAGE 1: 

(Age 5 – 7 years)

The Magic Shell by Ember Caswell from St Lawrence’s C/E Primary School, Church Stretton

Judges’ Comment:

“A wonderful story and a beautiful book!  Ember must have worked very hard, a real page turner and wonderful illustrations…her characters nearly jumped off the pages!”

LOWER KEY STAGE 2: 

(Age 7 – 9 years)

Bob & the Lost Pocket Watch by Felix Exham from Longden CE Primary School

Judges’ Comment:

“A clever story with wonderful settings.  Felix’s writing made you feel like you were really there!  We loved your sense of humour and wonderful illustrations! Y ou should be very proud of your wonderful book!”

UPPER KEY STAGE 2: 

(Age 9 – 11 years)

The Midnight Heist by Caitlin Freeman from Hodnet Primary School

Judges’ Comment:

“A very well told and atmospheric adventure-thriller that kept us on the edge of our seats!  Excellent descriptions that took us right to the heart of the story.  A surprising twist at the end!  Fantastic!”

SECOND PLACE

KEY STAGE 1: 

(Age 5 – 7 years)

The Sloth and the Sloth by Natalie Castle-Green from Gobowen Primary School

Judges’ Comment:

“Wow Natalie!  This nearly had the judges in tears!  A great story very well developed with fab illustrations.  We are pleased to say it had a very happy ending!”

LOWER KEY STAGE 2: 

(Age 7 – 9 years)

The Scout’s Secret by Henry William Jones from Greenfields Primary School, Shrewsbury

Judges’ Comment:

“An original story with a real sense of adventure!  We loved the characters, you must have done a lot of research.  Great illustrations and an all-around fab book that you should be very proud of!”

UPPER KEY STAGE 2: 

(Age 9 – 11 years)

9 Lives by Finley Mortimore from St Leonard’s CE Primary School, Bridgnorth School

Judges’ Comment:

“An age old tale of a cat’s nine lives…beautifully told and very well written. We loved the changing eras and the character that the cat inhabited in each of its lives. Finley really brought his characters to life!”

THIRD PLACE

KEY STAGE 1: 

(Age 5 – 7 years)

Rosie & the Lost Friends by Darcie Mitchell from Hinstock Primary School

Judges’ Comment:

“Very well done Darcie!  We had to keep reading to find out what happened to Rosie!  A wonderful story, very well written.  We loved the ending and wanted to go to the party too!”

LOWER KEY STAGE 2: 

(Age 7 – 9 years)

The Run Down Zoo by Jack Randles from Cheswardine Primary & Nursery School

Judges’ Comment:

“This was a really original and very touching story.  We loved the main character and how the story developed.  Jack has worked incredibly hard to write a heart-warming story that stayed with us long after we had read it.”

UPPER KEY STAGE 2:

(Age 9 – 11 years)

Hazel Hatford Murdered at Midnight by Hay-Yee Hilton from Packwood Haugh School

Judges’ Comment:

“Hay-Yee’s story was a real page turner!  We loved the main character and thought you really brought her to life!  This was very well planned and kept us on the edge of our seats until the very end.  You should be very proud of your efforts!”

SCHOOL WINNERS

Alveley Primary School:

Adam Janjua – KS2

Baschurch CE Primary School:

Hannah Dunst

Castlefields Primary School:

Lola Taylor – Highly Commended – KS2

Cheswardine Primary & Nursery School:

Keian Weston – KS1

Fynn Reynolds – Upper KS2

Condover CE Primary School:

Beren Lowe – KS2

Gobowen Primary School:

Tiani – KS2

Hadnall Primary School:

Nia Spiller – Highly Commended – KS2

Hinstock Primary School: 

Kayci Watton – Lower KS2

Harriet Williams – Upper KS2

John Wilkinson Primary School:

Henry – KS1

Alice Rose Griffiths – KS2

Lilleshall Primary School

Paige Pryor – KS1

Nathaniel Hale – Highly Commended –

– KS2

Mount Pleasant Primary School:

Nell Birch – KS2

Muxton Primary School:

Christopher Farley-Brown – KS2

Norton in Hales CE Primary School:

Darcey Eardley – KS2

Oxon Primary School:

Gabby Branfield – KS2

Prees CE Primary School:

Joe Clewer – KS2

Priorslee Academy:

Aashvi Maurya – KS2

Rushbury CE Primary School:

Amara May – Highly Commended – KS1

Hunter Bradshaw – Lower KS2

Lilleth Fuller – Upper KS2

Shortwood Primary School:

Ella Fox – KS2

Shrewsbury High Junior School:

Heather Wiley – KS2

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School: 

Anthony Wilkos – KS2

St Winefride’s School:

Farrow Prince – Highly Commended – KS2

Weston Rhyn Primary School: 

Hayden Gunn – Highly Commended – KS1

Aria Lawford – KS2

Whixall C/E Primary School: 

Amy Dubicki – KS1

Thank you and congratulations to EVERYONE who took part – from the author-mentors, teachers, TA’s and all the pupils across Shropshire.

Keep writing….keep having fun!

This project has been generously supported by