Being a Young Ambassador with the Writers’ Centre – Amelia Year 10

Posted on March 1, 2018 by litchamlibrary

I am really excited to share that I am a member of the Young Ambassadors’ programme for 2018. Along with twelve other ambassadors I will be sharing and promoting a love of reading, writing and books. Over the next 12 months we will be helping to spread the word of Norwich as England’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

I am so excited to be a Young Ambassadors and really looking forward to working with the Writers’ Centre. As a Young Ambassador I have been offered so many great opportunities: writing blogs, reviewing literary events, completing my Arts Award and interviewing authors to name a few.

One of my personal aims is to really work within my school and community celebrating literature. Literature I believe should be an integral part of growing up. As a young adult I feel that literature can be so beneficial in helping us to understand ourselves and the world around us. As a student I have found that careers in literature are not advertised as much as other careers and that young people are not made aware of careers in the literature sector. I really want to change this through working with the Writer’s Centre and hope to promote careers

I really want to help make my fellow students aware of the opportunities available to them. An upcoming event is the Young Norfolk Writing Competition 2018. This competition open to 11-18 year olds wants the “freshest and boldest words in Norfolk.” Entrants are able to submit a really diverse range of work: short stories, poems, lyrics, scripts and essays. There are some fantastic prizes on offer including professional mentoring, publication on the Writers’ Centre Norwich website and bookish prizes. The deadline for entering this competition is 5pm on Monday 4^th June 2018. For more information including the rules please head to the Writers’ Centre Norwich’s website: https://www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk/working-with-schools/young-norfolk-writing-competition/

I would really urge anyone with a interest in writing to enter the competition. The prizes offered are really amazing. Last year as a finalist I was lucky enough to receive a professional mentoring session with the poet laureate of Birmingham. This was a fantastic experience. Having entered in the past I found he competition really offered a way to push yourself in your writing. I found it also made me hone my writing skills. Taking part in the competition also provides you with links to the Writers’ Centre which could be useful in the future.

A Review of Shadows and Suffragettes: an evening with Frances Hardinge and Sally Nicholls by Amelia

Posted on February 22, 2018 by litchamlibrary

On Tuesday 13^th February I was lucky enough to attend an event at Waterstones Norwich. The event titled Shadows and Suffragettes was an evening with Frances Hardinge and Sally Nicholls two immensely talented YA writers. The evening was built around their latest novels: A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge and Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls. The evening consisted of both authors reading from their own novel, a discussion with the authors and a Q and A session with the audience.

The evening was brilliant, especially the discussion with the authors. The questions asked were very interesting and also relevant. For example both authors were asked about how their novels reflect the current political situation despite both novels being written in the past. Sally Nicholls whose latest novel is built around the women suffrage’s movement talked about how suffrage seems very relevant today in the face of #MeToo. Both books feature strong female roles and as a result Hardinge and Nicholls were quizzed on whether when writing they feel obliged to intentionally create strong female role models.

Other topics discussed were their methods of research, their inspiration and how they go about crafting their novels. Hardinge talked about how she always has small snippets of ideas for books in her mind. She starts writing a novel when they small ideas combine to form a more substantial idea. Her inspiration for A Skinful of Shadows came from the single idea of having

The structure of the evening was very successful. The readings really helped to draw the audience’s attention. The author discussion was hosted by Louisa from Norwich Waterstones children’s book department. Her questions were brilliant because they brought the wider world into the discussion and also help give a real insight into the work of authors.

It was also brilliant to have the opportunity to meet and talk to the talent behind such great books. The Q & A session with the audience was very successful. A wide range of brilliant questions were asked from “When did you first want to become a writer?” to “What was it like writing a book that covers a longer time period?” My own personal question was, “What were the books that inspired you as a child”? I wanted to find out what books they had loved reading as a child and whether that had impacted on their writing. We also heard why Hardinge and Nicholls chose to write for children.

I left the talk feeling inspired and empowered. In the age of Donald Trump, Brexit and the MeToo movement unique and powerful literature is more vital than ever.

The Suffocating Rainforest. A short story by Amelia, Year 9. Winning entry – Young Norfolk Writers Competition 2017

Posted on July 6, 2017 by litchamlibrary

The Suffocating Rainforest was written by Amelia as a short story for our school anthology ‘A Thread Running Through’ inspired by a workshop with our wonderful ‘Author in Residence’ Helen Moss.

Chichen Itza, 2016

A cacophony of chainsaws broke through the rainforest. Startled, a group of macaws flew up blotting out the sun. An unearthly silence stalked into the forest. The sickening thuds of falling trees echoed around.

Tears ran hot and sticky down my face. I ran, my feet barely touching the leafy floor. Suffocated by the metallic, harsh sounds that emitted from every corner of the rainforest. My rainforest. A waterfall of past memories cascaded through my mind.

1570…

The warriors with pale faces poured out of the trees that day, swarming like locusts around our beautiful home. Shining weapons sliced in a frenzy. I watched with horror as my family and friends fell slaughtered, fear frozen on their faces. The warriors seem to delight in the savagery they bought. On that day, our sacred white temple ran with blood. The cool rainforest offered refuge to me, protecting me with its dark green leaves. Many hours later, after I had sobbed relentlessly, the elders of the tribe found me. Their faces lined with years, filled me with hope. I closed my eyes and let the darkness comfort me.

The stuffy smell invaded my nose, forcing me to wake from the haven of sleep. Choking racked my body as smoke filled my mouth. Elders sat hunched around the fire. The light danced on their faces illuminating their distraught expressions. They stood crowding me. In spite of their diminutive, frail and hunched bodies, I felt threatened. One of them reached out and stroked my face with a hand like a wrinkled prune. He spoke in a wavering voice that dripped with wisdom. It commanded respect.

“Anjaniame, you whose name means life, have been chosen by our gods to live a life of honour,” his eyes boring into mine. “Our tribe is almost destroyed by men with pale faces with sorcery in their blood. They have taken the forest. We cannot forsake our vow to protect the rainforest and its people. For years, we have toiled to find the potion of life. The one that grants immortality!”

The rest of the elders whispered feverously, their eyes gleaming madly. In that moment I saw all the demons of mankind dance around the fireplace: greed, jealously, hatred and temptation. I shivered, my body convulsing with an unknown force.

“This potion was created too late to save many. We are too old,” the elder proclaimed with a hint of wistfulness. Again, I witnessed that flickering reluctance to give up the power of this mysterious elixir. “However in you, life runs strong in your blood. You have fire in your soul.” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Anjaniame you will drink this potion of eternal life. It will send you to a land of sleep from which you will be called from to protect the rainforest.”

A silent scream emitted from my mouth. Shivers stalked along my spine. The idea of being locked in sleep was terrifying. Trapped in a wasteland. Yes, it was an honour but what if I didn’t wake? What if I lay comatose, a breathing corpse.

The elders surrounded me, arms forming a prison wall. Their wizened arms seemed filled with strength as they clamped me to the ground.

“It is a great honour to be chosen. Your family would be so proud. All that is now left to do is for you to grant the gods a sacrifice that will gain their favour.”

The elders’ foreheads were drenched in perspiration. From the depths of the cave, a rope was brought forward. In the light of fire, the thorns attached to it gleamed wickedly. With my mouth wrenched open, I gagged as the rope was shoved in. My hand trembled as I drew the rope across my tongue. It felt like my tongue was on fire. Sharp pricks of pain attacked my body. I leant against the wall for support. At the bottom of my feet lay a white bowl of bone. Blood now filled it. The deep red stood out strongly against the pale white of my bowl.

Dense fog was forming in the cave. The elders gathered round the fire, their chanting voices creating a weird orchestra. Their bodies swayed from side to side as if controlled by an unseen force. Deep animal-like moans filled the cavern. Encircling me like predators, eyes glazed as if they were seeing something faraway. One of the elder’s hands was closed tightly round something. Slowly they unfurled like the petals of a flower opening to catch the sun. Nestled in his lined palm was a stone vial.

Merging, the elders’ voices formed a harsh and mechanical sound, “Drink!”

My hands moved of their own accord; I was a puppet who strings were being mercilessly pulled. I raised the vial to my cold lips and drank. The loathsome liquid burned in my mouth like molten rock. I swallowed. It seemed to suffocate me from the inside, fighting every breath that I laboured to breath. The rainforest flashed through my eyes, so vivid I felt like I was there. I fought against an invisible foe in an attempt to keep my eyes open, but my eyelids fell like shutters. Darkness crept in. Screaming cries of macaws echoed in my head. Then nothing!

The next 446 years passed in a land of grey. My sleep was not one of content, rather a restless one. Demons tortured me whilst I lay in my torpor and I saw my family and tribe slaughtered often. No vivid colours to delight in, nor harmonious sounds to listen too. My ears and eyes grew hungry and often wandered in search of a feast.

One day I woke to find the sun’s inviting rays warming my pale cheek. Head spinning as I faced the kaleidoscope of colours before me. Happiness invaded by body.

Chichen Itza, 2016

Then the trees started screaming as metal monsters invaded. Yellow beasts stormed through the forest. Their metal hearts were lusting after destruction. Hands sweaty, I faced them. Whispers whipped through the humid air.

“Do not betray the sacred trust,” said one caressing my ear.

“The Gods have willed it,” a silky voice uttered.

“The tribe wills it,” a multitude of voices proclaimed.

Slowly I sunk to the ground. Clasping my hands to my ears willing them to block out the voices that had shaped me, loved me and yet controlled me for the whole of my life. Part of me wanted to run. To forsake the forest that had suffocated me and turned me into a breathing corpse. Greed had stolen my childhood. The pale faced warriors would not have pillaged, if it had not been for our hoarding. We had valued gold too much. I never saw the danger of gold, how it entices the foolish and removes their soul until the knell of death sounded.

Standing, my legs wobbled, as if they were unwilling to serve me. Cursing them, I walked out of the forest. Forsaking the elders would allow me to keep my newfound freedom.

A sharp pain rippled through my foot. Submerged between lush green leaves lay a grey stone. Crudely cut into the stone were the words; A caballo dado, no se le ve el colmillo (don’t complain about something given as a gift). A laugh escaped my mouth. It burst into the forest startling birds. Brightly it sung its message of joy combating the metallic chainsaws.

The yellow monsters continued their onslaught. I stood before them, raising my dark hands to the blue gentle skies. I felt power rise up through my body. Fanning the flames that licked my heart. Trees extended their branches, like tentacles, snaring the pale faced men with chainsaws. Darkness rolled across the sky vanquishing the blue. Rain lashed the yellow machines. A booming noise announced the arrival of thunder.

Hysterical screams escaped the petrified men as they stared up at the rainforest that had come to life. Eyes widened, as to my left, translucent figures stood beside me. Their faces twisted in anger and their eyes flamed as they surveyed the men before then. A gust of wind blew some leaves through the forest. Hands that gripped chainsaws turned pale, as the leaves morphed into a monstrous apparition. Footsteps pounded as the men fled, weapons discarded.

Turning my head, I saw the shadowy figures bow then vanish. I looked proudly at my hands, amazed that I could command such power. A rustle of leaves startled me. Vines rushed towards me, gently stroking my hair. An urge to sleep overwhelmed me. My heart swelled with love. It stole my breath away. Eyelids falling, I turned to my rainforest. Sleep claimed and as I vanished amongst the tall trees. I, the protector of the forest, slept with a smile.

All Hail Summer Reading!

Posted on July 20, 2016 by litchamlibrary

The summer holidays are nearly upon us. However for you bookworms, who are mourning the loss of your school libraries, Norfolk’s book fest is just beginning. This year’s summer reading challenge celebrates the 100^th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s birthday. The reading challenge this year is aptly named the Big Friendly Read after our favourite giant.

The Summer Reading Challenge is an annual event which sees thousands of children across the country read 6 books from the library. The annual Summer Reading Challenge helps get three quarters of a million children into libraries each year to keep up their reading skills and confidence. The challenge is targeted at all children. Anyone of any ability can join. A wide range of reading material and genres counts towards the challenge such as; fact books, joke books, picture books and audio books.

The challenge is split into three sections. Every time you read two books you receive a reward. Certificates are awarded to children who complete the challenge in an award ceremony. Having done the challenge, since it first started, I can definitely vouch for it being a brilliant advocate of children’s literature. Through the challenge you can discover new genres and uncover brilliant books. The summer reading challenge is also a great way to meet new children with similar interests as you. Some libraries also host special events and workshops connected with the summer reading challenge. For example, Fakenham library is hosting author events and a workshop where they will try to create the longest story ever. Some of these events do require booking. For more information visit Norfolk libraries website or visit your local library.

The summer reading challenge is aimed at children aged from 4 to 11. However for older children there is a different challenge focusing on the creativity released by reading. This is the perfect activity for anyone interested in art, drama and creative writing. Anyone from 10-18 can take part in this alternate challenge as well as the summer reading challenge. Imagination is now in its third year. It was designed by young adults. You’ll get a log when you join, with activities to choose from to help you express your ideas about what you have read, or record how a book made you feel. The great thing about the challenge is that you don’t have to worry about not being amazing at a certain skills e.g. art, as there are so many other options: drama, music and photography. You will also get the chance to be part of a collaborative artwork being made in a library near you. You can share your work with other members on the imagination blog. To find out more about the challenges mentioned visit http://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/ http://imaginationeast.org.uk/sample-page/ . Alternatively visit your local library to find out more and sign up to challenges.

Please consider taking part in the summer reading challenge and Imagination. The both are great projects which will lead you into the magical and amazing world of reading. If you complete them you will feel a real sense of achievement. This summer head to your local library and delve into an adventure. I like to finish my blog with the inspirational tagline of the Summer Reading Challenge, “Because everything changes when we read.” How right they are!

Happy Holidays Bookworms!!!!

KS3 visit to see author David Almond at the UEA Fly Festival

Posted on June 28, 2016 by litchamlibrary

A group of Year 7, 8 and 9 students visited the UEA on Wednesday, to hear a presentation by multi-award winning author David Almond, as part of the Festival of Literature for Young People (Fly Festival). David is probably best known for his book “Skellig”, a story that many of our students have studied and enjoyed as part of their English syllabus in Year 7. He spoke about how he had always wanted to become a writer from a very early age, and provided some useful tips on how to be creative in your writing and not be inhibited by structure and layout. He was very inspiring explaining that he came from a very ordinary background, and that you don’t have to be a literary genius to be able to write. He really encouraged students to just have ago and jot down lots of ideas and sentences in a note book and see where it leads you.

“I really enjoyed listening to David Almond talk, because he was really interesting and he gave us great tips on how to become a writer and how we have to use our imaginations. I also enjoyed it when he answered some of our questions, because I found out a lot of things about how he chose to become a writer. I also found out where the name “Skellig” came from.” Danielle 7C

“I thought the trip was brilliant. Next time I would like to stay longer to find out more. Getting our books signed at the end was very special.” Ben 7S

“We went to the UEA to meet David Almond to hear his story and why he became a writer. The trip was both humorous and enlightening. He answered multiple questions and was very encouraging to young writers. We had an opportunity to buy books and have them signed by him and talk to the author in person. It was altogether a very enjoyable school trip.” Rebecca 8W

“The David Almond trip was really interesting to me, because I never knew it took so many notes to put together a novel! One thing that I found out about his book Skellig, which I found really fascinating, was that he didn’t even know what Skellig was. I loved how many of his characters had been based around himself as a boy and often the settings of his stories were based on the town in which he grew up in, Felling in Tyne and Wear. Overall the trip was a really great experience, as I learnt things about David’s books that would be impossible to guess!” Scarlett 8S

Norwich Castle says farewell to it’s dragons by Amelia, Year 8

Posted on June 20, 2016 by litchamlibrary

On the 30th of May, Norwich Castle sadly bid farewell to its rather strange guests. From the 6^th of May to the 30^th of May, Norwich Castle had been home to DRAGONS. Norwich Castle hosted an exhibition honouring and showcasing author Cressida Cowell’s bestselling children book series, To Train Your Dragon. The exhibition titled A Viking’s Guide to Deadly Dragons transported you to Berk, an island where both humans and dragons dwell! It was created by Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books. I was lucky enough to visit the exhibition myself and it was amazing. My whole family enjoyed it from ages 2 to 13. Proudly wearing our Viking helmets and armed to the teeth we stalked the corridors of Norwich. We saw Cressida Cowell’s amazing concept drawings (basically her first drawings.) It was amazing to see the process that led to the finished book. The characters from Cressida’s books came alive. Literally! By pressing buttons you could hear the different characters, voiced by David Tenant. We were able to watch filmed interviews of Cressida Cowell’s where she gave us tips for writing and even taught us some Dragonese!

One of my highlights was the Viking longship that dominated the exhibition. I loved standing at the prow of the ship, shield raised high. I felt invincible!

We learnt how Cressida Cowell’s holidays as a child, on a small uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland, first sparked her desire to become an author, She says herself, “I spent a great deal of time as a child on a tiny, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland…By the time I was eight, my family had built a small stone house on the island, and with the boat, we could fish for enough food to feed the family for the whole summer. From then on, every year we spent four weeks of the summer and two weeks of the spring on the island. The house was lit by candle-light, and there was no telephone or television, so I spent a lot of time drawing and writing stories.” She has always been fascinated by dragons as there is no one alive today to say they don’t exist. My favourite part of the exhibition was looking at Cressida Cowell’s school books in which she penned some of her early work. As someone who aspires to become an author this really showed me the power of not only writing, but imagination, and where it can take you. There was also a display dedicated to the movie that was created from the book, with a signed and dedicated score to Cressida Cowell of the theme tune of the film by John Powell.

Cressida Cowell’s books feature on the misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, a weak and puny Viking. This unlikely hero grows up on Berk, an island of tough and rather rude Vikings. Hiccup is somewhat a disappointment to his tribe, but more importantly his father (the chief of Berk) aptly named Stoick the Vast. However, as Hiccup befriends feared dragons and goes on many heroic adventures, he proves that there is more to being a hero than muscles! The How To Train Your Dragon series are very amusing stories with great illustrations. The books are also an ode to the trials and tribulations of growing up and also the beauty. When I was growing up I loved these books as they taught me I was a hero deep down. I would strongly recommend these books. Packed full of dastardly villains, hilarious jokes and even a mention of poo, these books will make you laugh but also make you think.

I loved the exhibition. It was a credit to Norwich Castle, Seven Stories and Cressida Cowell. Hopefully children were inspired to start reading. It really illustrated the power a few words can make.

Poetry Alive in Wells-Next-the-Sea By Amelia Year 8

Posted on May 12, 2016 by litchamlibrary

On Saturday May 7^th, I visited Alderman Peel High School in Wells to take part in the Annual Wells Poetry Festival. I attended a workshop led by Ruth Padel to help improve my poetry skills. Ruth Padel is a immensely talented poet whose works have won many awards. She has produced many poetry collections including Rembrandt Would Have Loved You and The Solo Leopard. Her most recent collection Learning to Make an Oud in Nazareth was shortlisted for the T.S. Elliot Prize. During the workshop we analysed poems by other poets, to look for recurring techniques used in poetry. Then after being given a brief we had 20 minutes to write a poem which we then read to the rest of the people in the workshop (there were 10 people in total.) I was very nervous reading my poem but it was an informal environment. I received advice on which areas I could improve on in my poetry for example, showing – not telling (this basically means the reader infers a certain piece of information from the poem instead of you telling them, e.g. the peppermint green instead of the lurid green.) I found the workshop very useful and I have come away with many useful techniques to use in my poetry, as well as a wide range of new poets to read. It was amazing to meet a greatly talented poet like Ruth Padel and be able to learn from her. The whole thing has really helped encourage my love of poetry.

The logo of the festival

The Wells Poetry Festival originated in 1997 when John Colridge came up with the idea that an annual poetry festival on the North Norfolk coast would benefit the area and be a good addition to festivals in King’s Lynn and Aldeburgh. With the help of Kevin Crossley-Holland (poet and children’s author.) You may have read his fantastic Arthur trilogy, if not I definitely recommend it. Other lovers of poetry and promoters came together to form a committee. The poetry festival aims to invite the best poets and speakers to Wells to help spread a love of poetry and secondly to take poets into local schools to inspire a next generation of poets.

Books and Beyond

A Litcham School Literary Blog

Category Archives: Local Events