ALCS competition winner announced

The winner of the ALCS 2012 competition for the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway shadowing scheme has been announced which saw young shadowers attempt to write a story in no more than 140 words, starting with the sentence, "Please sir, I want some more".

13 year-old Lauren Harries of Howell's School in Llandaff, took first place for her futuristic spin on the tale, impressing readers with her concept of 'More' as the latest invention of Dickens and Co. Technology.

For her efforts, Lauren has won £500 for her school library, as well as a selection of the Carnegie shortlisted books for her own collection and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

12 year-old Tom Blakey of Boston Spa School and 15 year-old Bethany Heron of Ousedale School Shadowing Group were runners-up in the competition.

Tom's detective tale throws the reader into the murky world of police business and leaves the reader on a brilliant cliff hanger. His use of descriptive language was elegant and imaginative. A very mature story.

Bethany's chilling horror story was thrilling and dark, a true achievement in 140 words. The story shows the restraint of classic horror in the way it doesn't reveal everything and leaves the reader unsure if they really want to know what happens next.

For the last 5 years ALCS has supported the CILIP Carnegie and Greenaway Medals shadowing scheme.

Shadowing introduces children to top quality fiction and illustration, to new writers, illustrators and genres, and encourages breadth and depth of reading. The shortlisted books fire their imagination and help develop literacy and critical skills.

Each year over 3,800 reading groups involving over 90,000 children and young people ‘shadow’ the awards; reading, debating and enjoying the shortlisted books.

Click here for the winning stories.

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