Wellington College Belfast Co-educational Grammar School
Library

 

Click here to get the library lowdown.

 

 

Living La Vida Library

The library has played host to a range of activities at WCB again this past year. Highlights included the Readathon which raised over £3,000 in support of cancer care for children in Northern Ireland, a Roald Dahl Day Quiz for chocoholics, a Narnia themed Open Night complete with theatrics, a Body in the Library Twilight themed mystery, a collaborative e-book project with five other schools, award shadowing for the Teenage Trust Book Prize, World Book Day Celebrations, a Book Fair and a nail biting Regional Heat of the Kids Lit Quiz where 27 teams from 20 schools across the province competed for reading honours. Our Year 9 team plucked the title away from two time winners Sullivan Upper and came 5th in the World at the Grand Final held in Edinburgh in 2010. All these events were supported by an enthusiastic and creative Library Squad who produced colourful displays, imaginative reading promotions, online book reviews and took part in team work with other schools.

In November WCB celebrated the 5th birthday of the NI heat of the Kids Lit Quiz and the library welcomed storyteller Alec Williams and authors MG Harris and Geraldine McCaughrean who entertained the students with imaginative presentations.

2011 brings fresh challenges

Enthusiastic readers will also have the opportunity to try out for the Kids Lit Quiz Regional heat which will take place on the 1oth of November 2011. With Canada and the USA now involved it continues to spread the magic of reading across the globe.

Written by Miss T.Jennings, School Librarian & Kids Lit Quiz NI Co-ordinator.

 

Wellington Wizards Win Kids Lit Quiz World Final

The 9th of July 2007 was a day to remember for Year 8 students Emily, Eimear, Adam and Caroline. Having demonstrated their wide book knowledge at the Regional and UK heats of the Kids Lit Quiz, they travelled to Oxford and proved themselves as reading ambassadors for Northern Ireland. The fantastic four faced ten rounds of killer questions from the Kids Lit Man in the Purple Hat, Wayne Mills and beat off tough competition from New Zealand, South Africa, China, Wales, Scotland and England to be crowned World Champions.

It was fastest on the buzzer as literary whizzkids from around the globe tackled questions covering all aspects of reading including First Lines, Myths, Poetry, Book to Film, Soundtracks of Books, Nursery Rhymes, Settings and Characters. The atmosphere was electric among attending authors and school supporters as Wellington took the lead in the early stage with New Zealand hot on their heels. After each round the audience also had the chance to compete for prizes.

Tension mounted as Emily, Adam, Eimear and Caroline showed nerves of steel while other teams dropped points around them. They were quick on the buzzer with the right answers to puzzlers such as name the poet who wrote ‘Tyger Tyger Burning Bright’ and ‘who charmed rats with his music?’ At Half Time the teams just had time to take refreshments, meet top authors and get books signed before they were back into the fray. It was nail biting action as New Zealand leapt ahead but Wellington rose to the challenge and regained the lead finishing in first place with 39 points while New Zealand came 2nd with 35 points and England 3rd with 26 points after a play off with China. The Wellington team could then relax and celebrate their win with £100 in prize money each and treasured books to keep as well as the World Kids’ Lit Quiz trophy cup. After the excitement all the teams met up at a special banquet and shared their experiences.

- Tanja Jennings, School Librarian

Rave about your Fave

 

 Junk

This is a book about a group of teenagers and their struggle with a drug addiction problem. In the book there are two main characters, Gemma and Tar. Both of the characters end up on heroin but both of them deal with their problem differently. Gemma deals with it by talking about it expressing her feelings. However, Tar decides to keep it in to him self and not talk about it. The book has already won The Guardian Fiction Award and the Carnegie Medal. I especially liked this book because it was real and got to the point; it was also funny in parts. I think this book deserves these awards and much more. I definitely recommend it.

Reviewer: JP.

 

Ness, Patrick. The Ask and the Answer. Walker Books, 2009.

“Sci Fi Fantasy Delivers Shocks”

In novels I enjoy the fantasy genre. Among my favourites are The Edge Chronicles by Stewart and Riddell but I was really impressed by The Knife of Never Letting Go. So I was only too happy to read the follow up and give my impressions of it. I thought The Ask & The Answer started off strongly. It opens with an established dictatorship where surprisingly things in society have changed for the better. That's until a conspiracy begins. Although it didn't have as funny an introduction as The Knife of Never Letting Go, it's still a worthy book. I think the character of Mayor Prentiss can be compared to leaders like Adolf Hitler because while he is trying to bring peace to Prentisstown, he is murdering people in the process. I also think Patrick Ness uses the treatment of the Spackle and Todd's experiences to highlight wrongs in our society such as racism and discrimination. The role of women is also explored because it represents them as being restrained while men are vocal. I thought the impact on the reader of the scene where a woman is tortured was shocking and that Ness used it to open up debate on a controversial issue. I think he uses the medium of Science Fiction effectively to explore wrongs evident in our society today. It's a really good read providing the reader with lots of cliff hangers.

Reviewer: Chris M.

 

Riordan, Rick. Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero. Puffin, 2010.

'Gods Alive!'

This book is an amazing read. I give it 10 out of 10. The author uses a clever pattern in the chapter scheme because there are 3 main characters every 2 chapters who are in the mind of another character. The basic story line is Percy Jackson has gone missing and when he goes missing a boy named Jason has just woken up in a school bus. He soon finds out that apparently he is friends with a boy named Leo and a girl named Piper. Jason has no memory of the past couple of months but his friends do. After a battle over Grand Canyon the three characters find their way to Camp Half Blood. There is a threat of a Giant invasion and one of the most powerful goddesses has been kidnapped leaving the world in turmoil. These young demi-gods are about to learn that the world of Greek myth is closer than they think. Rating: 10/10

Reviewer: Thomas Adams

 

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. Bloomsbury, 2009.

“Weird and Wonderful award winning fantasy”

I love reading because it is so random. I'm especially into Sci Fi and one of my favourite authors is Isaac Asimov.

I thought The Graveyard Book was one of the best books I've ever read. It was mysterious so you wanted to know what happened next and it gripped me because every chapter kept me guessing.

It followed Nobody Owens over the course of his childhood and I thought it had a cool and weird mixture of characters. I found it entertaining on a lot of levels as it had plenty of comedy and mystery. I also thought the illustrations were amazing, particularly the one of the spiky guy in Chapter 2, as they made the book come alive for me.

When the librarian asked what flavour I thought it reminded me of, after laughing a lot, I decided it was spicy with a hint of chilli. What I liked especially was that Nobody had confused ideas about life because they were from a ghost's perspective. It was also really random and strange the way it moved between the worlds of the living and the dead. I wished it could go on after it ended.

Reviewer: Harvey Y.

 

Scarrow, Alex. Time Riders. Puffin, 2010.

 

“Sci Fi Time Travel Action”

Time Riders is sooooooooooooooooo cool, I can’t put it down! It’s addictive. I would rather read time riders than sit and play a game console because you never know what’s going to happen next!!!!!! It’s about 3 people who patrol time, Liam, Sal & Maddy. Liam should have died at sea, Maddy should have died on a plane & Sal should have died in a fire. But before death, a man came and said “Take my hand” and when they said “yes” they found themselves some place else. How did it happen? Read the book and find out. Even better there are more to come in the series including one about dinosaurs. I can’t wait. It’s EPICNESS ON A STICK!!!

Reviewer: Alex Nesbitt

  

McLachlan, Kate. Love My Enemy. Andersen Press, 2004.

“Divided Love.”

Love My Enemy explores prejudice and sectarianism in Belfast through the eyes of 15 year old Zee and her 17 year old brother Gary who are still trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of their father. While Gary is eaten up with hatred and dreams of revenge, Zee just wants to get out and build a new life for herself in England. Then she suddenly raises the stakes by falling for her neighbour Conor under the jealous eye of Gary’s bigoted friend, Des. This gritty and graphic novel examines teen relationships, the desire to fit in with the crowd, anger, fear, and the consequences of acting first and thinking later. With a “love across the barricades” theme similar to Joan Lingard’s popular “Kevin and Sadie” series, this novel’s raw energy knocks tamer versions for six. It is a Must Read for Belfast teens.

Reviewer: Bookaneer

 

Dowswell, Paul. Auslander. Bloomsbury, 2009.

“Conscience at War” 

I found Auslander to be an interesting read because it was fiction based on fact. I thought the historical details made it easier to understand although the plot dragged in places.

I think Peter is a likeable character who turns away from Nazism because his conscience tells him that it's wrong. Things also change for him when he meets Anna who gives him a new perspective on life. At first he appears to be happy with the family he is placed with after his parents are killed but then he rebels and disappears.

The book is an intense read full of revelations. It reminded me of a rich and dark chocolate cake with different layers. Although I was disappointed because it ended abruptly, I it offers the reader surprises.

Reviewer: Kyle D.

 

Valentine, J. The Ant Colony. Harper Collins, 2009.

“Wacky Read”

My favourite author is Terry Pratchett because he tells good stories. I'm always curled up in a corner reading a book because it means I get to explore lots of different worlds. The Ant Colony was quite a different read from what I am used to as I normally enjoy fantasy. I thought it was sad but uplifting.

It deals with an interesting concept and the characters are really believable. They are facing up to serious problems and the author's message is that you can't run away from trouble. You need to find the courage to sort it with the help of friends.

The book had quite a bitter-sweet taste and as you read it revealed itself in layers. I liked Bohemia because she has ginger hair like me. She came across as an unusual and weird character but in a nice way. I think the book takes its name from one of the male characters who is obsessed with ants. It is fresh and original as well as being serious and slightly mental in parts.

Reviewer: Rose J.

 

Wooding, Chris. Havoc. Scolastic, 2010.

“There’s no escape from Tall Jake.”

Seth is on the hunt for Kady and Justin but how can he find Malice again? A storm is raging and the monster from hell is after him. A renegade army is on the move but can Tall Jake, master of all evil be destroyed? Will teens continue to die in Malice? Dare you enter their world to find out?

This dark fantasy sucks you inside a comic book and doesn’t let go. Double the shocks and thrills of ‘Malice’ as ‘Havoc’ takes you to the Dead House where Zombies rule, an ancient city where the walls are alive and a spooky house where a creature lives in the attic.

Reviewer: TJ

 

Ness, Patrick. Knife of Never Letting Go. Walker Books, 2008.

 "Fantasy, conspiracy & murder in one thrilling read"

When I first heard the book's name, I thought 'flip, what an unusual name!'  When I finished reading it, I realised why it was so named.  When I started reading it the flavour was very unusual, almost bland you could say.  This could be because the narrator (Todd Hewitt) speaks in the present tense.  I quickly got over this, and became engrossed.  The flavour was interesting, even sweet and tangy!  Flicking over to the last page and BAAM!  I was so shocked I closed the book and chilled out.  It is a whopper ending! (Which I'll not spoil.).

The storyline is very interesting.  You arrive in a settlement called Prentisstown.  The inhabitants have moved through space from 'Old World. They can hear everyone's thoughts!  No women have lived there for a long time.  The town is on the edge of a swamp, where the 'Spackle' lived.  In the past a war raged on 'New World' between the humans and the Spackle.  The story continues after the war, and Todd and a girl venture out of the swamp with a knife for help (if you want to know why, read the book) and journey to different villages to receive it.

It's an unusual and exciting read from a very imaginative writer.  I can definitely recommend this book to everyone (careful, mild swearing).  100% sub zero!

Reviewer: Chris Millar

 

Mieville, China. Un Lun Dun. Pan Books, 2008.

"Exciting and strange-this is a Sub Zero Read"

This book is my all time favourite.  It starts with a girl, the Schwazzi, and her friend, Deeba.  The Schwazzi has been having weird things happening to her. When she sees an umbrella flying around in the street she follows its trail and finds UN LUN DUN, a magical place where people wear books, have houses made out of rubbish and wear different heads.  The girl is mesmerized at the beginning as she doesn't know who or what the "Schwazzi" is.  So she and her friend decide to investigate only to get chased by a hoard of rubbish.  Just as it strikes a ghost named Hemi saves their lives.  At first he scares them and they run off, into a big market. Here they get shouted at because of their clothes by a weird guy who is wearing pages from a book. The man later takes them to see people called the profiteers, a weird bunch of prophets guarded by a bunch of Binjas (ninja-bins).  All this seems even madder when they are sent out to save UN LUN DUN from the SMOG.  I would recommend this book because it's a good adventure. It will appeal to readers who like fantasy with a wacky twist.

Reviewer: Kyle Graham

 

McKenzie, Sophie. Girl Missing. Simon & Schuster, 2006.

This book is a must-read for all teenage girls!!

One day adopted teenager Lauren decides she wants more details on her real parents. After her adoptive parents refuse to give Lauren any information she looks up adoption agencies on the internet and what she finds out is any teenage girl's worst nightmare! She is suspicious that her adoption was not legal and that she may have been abducted as a baby! She finds a picture of a young girl on the internet who went missing when she was 1 year old. She wonders if it could be her.

Lauren decides to go on a quest to find her real parents to find out the truth about her real identity. This leads her to America where she uncovers a past that threatens to destroy her.

I recommend this book for all 12-16 year old girls. It really is a brilliant book and every teenage girl should read it.

I give this book 10/10!!! Pick it up from the library today.

Reviewer: Ellie Neill

 

Wooding, Chris. Malice. Scholastic, 2009

"You Can't Escape"

This book is about a comic book and there is a legend to it. The legend is that if you do the ritual and call on Tall Jake, he will come and take you away to a SCARY place called Malice.

There are three main characters called Seth, Kady and Justin. Seth and Kady find out about Malice through their friend Luke who does the chant and gets taken to Malice. Then they believe that Malice is real and you can get killed because they saw their friend being killed. This is a bad place where teenagers that go can be killed and people that read comics can see them being killed.

There is only one way of stopping Tall Jake and they need his enemies but that is all I will tell you as YOU will have to read it yourself.

This book has a gripping storyline and will make you want to read it all in one go. At the end of every page there is a part that makes you want to turn so quickly that you might rip the page out by accident!

I definitely recommend this book because I really think YOU will want to read it. There is a new issue coming out called Havoc and Malice leaves us on a cliffhanger so we want to get Havoc and read it too. I hope you read Malice and enjoy it.

Reviewer: Garreth Boyd

Reading Rocks

http://www.kidslitquiz.com/ (The ultimate opportunity to have fun celebrating reading. School teams can sign up now for NI Regional Heat to be held on Thursday the 10th of November 2011. Ring Miss T Jennings on 02890642539 for further details.)

http://www.digi-tale.co/ (Check out these cool competitions. You could have a chance of winning a Nintendo DSI XL or an ACER Notebook just by telling a story in ten chapters or writing a good review)

www.worldbookday.com (Lots of cool activities for World Book Day)

http://www.bigbadread.co.uk/

http://www.bigbadread.co.uk/vote.asp

(Who is your top literary villain- Lord Voldemort or Sauron? Do you agree with the results of The Big Bad Read Vote?)

http://www.readkiddoread.com/home

http://www.booktrustchildrensbooks.org.uk/show/feature/search/Reading-Group-Diaries-2009/ (WCB Students shadow the Teenage Trust Book Prize shortlist)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread (British public vote their top 100 books to Rule Them All)

http://www.storiesfromtheweb.org (check out Gothica Academy by Claire Crawford under Gallery)- Needs changed: Password access available FROM PUBLIC LIBRARY OR WCB SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

www.nibookaward.org (Find out the top 8 books voted for by NI students and add your comments too)

http://www.insideadog.com.au/ (Australian website celebrating books)

http://www.questseekers.org.uk/index.htm

http://www.bookarmy.com (Check out what everyone's reading & create your own lists of your favourite reads. Win Prizes)

http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/shadowingsite/default.asp (Follow the Carnegie awards & discover what schools rate what reads. Check out W.C.B's choices.)

http://www.lovereading4schools.co.uk/ (Check out WCB Library's top reads. Features opening extracts to give you a flavour of the books recommended by students for students. Site offers 25% discounts to parents & chance to earn free book vouchers for the school library)

http://www.galaxybookclub.co.uk/Default.aspx (Chance to win books.)

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilightseries.html (Twilight fans alert)

http://en.childrenslibrary.org/ (Travel around the world with these online picture books)

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk (Pick of new Teen Reads)

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/campaign/Champions/index.html (Check out our WCB reading Champions & find out what reading challenges you can do for your school library. Cool competitions and free reading promotion resources.)

http://www.thebookbag.co.uk (Reviews)

http://www.readitswapit.co.uk (Swap your old books for New)

http://www.bookcrossing.com (Release a book into the Wild & find one in hiding)

http://www.cool-reads.co.uk/ (Reads for teens rated or slated by teens)

http://www.readingrants.org/category/fanging-around/ (Teen fiction with bite)

http://www.readwritethink.org (Create your own character Trading Cards)

http://www.noflyingnotights.com (Join the Manga Revolution)

http://www.readyourselfraw.com (Graphics & Comics)

http://www.channel4learning.net/sites/bookbox/ (Would you like to write a story? Pick up some handy hints from the Writer's toolkit)

http://www.spinebreakers.co.uk (For story surfers & web explorers)

http://www.mrsmad.com/ (Jokes, Stories, games & Reviews)

http://www.readingmatters.co.uk/ (Try the Bookchooser to find the book for you)

http://www.storiesfromtheweb.org (check out Gothica Academy by Claire Crawford under Gallery) Password access available FROM PUBLIC LIBRARY OR WCB SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

http://www.teenreads.com/

http://www.kidsreads.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread

http://www.achuka.co.uk/achukareviews/

http://www.ultimatebookguide.com/teen/

http://www.childrensbooksequels.co.uk/ (Visit here if you want to know what comes next in a series)

http://www.booktrustchildrensbooks.org.uk/show/feature/search/Reading-Group-Diaries-2009/

 

What do you know about plagiarism? Can you eliminate the goblin threat before it’s too late? Remember always cite your sources.

http://www.lycoming.edu/library/instruction/tutorials/plagiarismGame.html

http://www.weblinksresearch.co.uk/login/ (Speed up your web searching. Username & Password available from WCB Librarian)

 

Username & Password available from WCB Librarian

http://www.completeissues.co.uk/

http://www.vtstutorials.ac.uk/detective/brief.html (For Years 13 & 14- A Guide to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Internet Research)

 

Facts at your Fingertips

REQUEST username and password from WCB LIBRARIAN

Visit Essential Articles online www.carelpress.co.uk/EA - Click on the article link to login.

Visit Fact File online http://ff.carelpress.co.uk

Visit Key Organisations online http://ko.carelpress.co.uk

 

 

Citation and Research skills

This is a document to assist students with referencing, citation and research skills.

 

http://www.uefap.com/reading/readfram.htm (READING SKILLS FOR ACADEMIC STUDY)

http://www.bridgemaneducation.com - An image library at your fingertips. Search across all media including; photography, fine art, engravings, sculpture, architecture, archaeology & ethnography, history, science & medicine, the decorative arts, artefacts and applied arts. Create your own slide shows for projects. ( Ask librarian for Username & Password)

Explore the world with History Study Centre at http://www.historystudycentre.co.uk - Discover more about the Spanish Armada, the JFK Assassination, Irish Unionism, Castles etc. Investigate primary & secondary sources on global history from ancient times to the present day (Access available in the library through LINK)

http://www.studygs.net/timman.htm (STUDY STRATEGIES)

http://www.peterrussell.com/MindMaps/mindmap.php (MIND MAPPING)

http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/revision/exam-anxiety/stress.html (HANDLING EXAM STRESS)

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml (AVOIDING PLAGIARISM)

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/games/ (Make your Teacher walk the plank or fling them in a trebuchet with these fun interactive history games.)

http://www.how-to-study.com/ (Tips to help with note taking & remembering)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/studentlife/revisionandskills/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/

http://www.s-cool.co.uk/ (GCSE & A-Level Revision site)

http://www.factmonster.com (online Encyclopedia, Thesaurus, Dictionary & Almanac- Check out facts about the world.

http://lgfl.skoool.co.uk/keystage3.aspx?id=80 (Explore Maths & Science Topics)

http://www.schoolsnet.com/pls/hot_school/sn_lessons.page_pls_show_subjects?x=16180339

http://www.revisioncentre.co.uk/

http://www.nelsonthornes.com/secondary/science/scinet/scinet/index.htm (Science dissected)

http://purchon.com/biology/revision.htm (Quick facts on Cells, Digestion, Photosynthesis, Respiration, Circulation, Ecology, Muscles & Bones)-KS 4

http://www.bized.co.uk/learn/business/index.htm (Test your Business Studies Skills)

http://www.thetimes100.co.uk/theory/ (Business Theory)

http://www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/studytips/exams.htm

http://lordoftheflies.org/img/vocab.htm (Lord of the Flies Vocabulary Guide)-GCSE

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/flies/section1.html (Lord of the Flies-Study Notes)

http://www.mindmapperusa.com/mind_mapping_software.htm (Open your mind to a new way of note taking)

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/uniservices/infoservices/library/find/references/about/index.php#what (Citing your Sources- How have you found your answers?)

http://www.neilstoolbox.com/ (Reference Tools online)

http://www.bibme.org/ (Tool to help build your own bibliography using the correct referencing-MLA, APA and Chicago style formats)-A-Level.

http://www.northampton.ac.uk/downloads/download/207/referencing-guides/200208

(Referencing Guides from the University of Northampton-Harvard, MLA & APA STYLE REFERENCING/CITATION OF SOURCES)-A-Level.

The Sound of Silence

I was just five years old when I discovered I had the power.

We sat silently in the dull, white hospital room. Mother had warned me prior to the visit that Grandad was not the same any more. He couldn't talk, he couldn't laugh, he couldn't smile. He would be different. I tried my best to convince her that Grandad could and did talk but she offered me no answers to my endless questions. I couldn't help but examine the stranger that had adopted Grandad's body.

If you would like to read more please click here

 

Gothica Academy

Gothica Academy was started in late 2007, when I was sitting in class. I’d finished all of my work and was bored, so I lifted a notebook from my schoolbag and started drawing a picture of something that looked like a little house. I got more and more into this drawing, and drew people standing beside the little building, and they turned out to be Goths. In a few weeks time, my drawing was complete, but I felt like I needed to do something more, so I began to write a story about the two people and the building, and called it Gothica Academy. A few of my friends had pointed out that the building looked too small to be a school, so I decided to make it the Reception, and the rest of the school underground, and that’s what makes this story so different. I started writing episodes regularly, and soon I had 3 or 4. The only people that had seen these were a few of my friends, and soon I showed it to our school Librarian, Miss. Jennings. She liked it, and showed me a website that published short stories, and suggested that I put the episodes that I’d written on it. I did so, and the episodes were very well received. I got tons of comments from people in different countries, such as England, Russia and Mauritius.

Inspiration for the story came very easily, as I tend to be inspired by little things, such as somebody saying something funny. I’d start thinking to myself, “Who should say that? What’s the setting going to be?”, and it all starts from there and gradually builds into another episode of Gothica Academy.

There are many characters in the story, the main ones being Adrian and Kimi. Some of the character names just came to me, whereas others had a bit more thought put into them. The name Tauricus was just off the top of my head, and Kaydence came from a story I had been reading on the internet around that time, although I changed the spelling. Melody came from a French text book, and Helena came from a music video.

Here is a taster of Gothica Academy. If you want to check out the other chapters, go to the gallery: http://www.storiesfromtheweb.org/11plus/gallery/memgallery.asp and type in Gothica Academy. You will need a password from your local public library to access the site. Feel free to comment, and I hope you enjoy reading my story!

Claire Crawford

To view some of Gothica Academy please click here.

 

INTER SCHOOLS E-BOOK PROJECT 

 

Accompanying text by Rose Jackson

In March 2009 our school took part in the e-book project. The e-book project was part of the special World Book Day activities in our library. Five schools took part and five students represented each school. Participating schools included Wellington, Killicomaine Junior High Portadown, Thornhill College Derry, Aquinas Grammar School and Lumen Christi College Derry. Our team Kyle Graham, Kenneth Millar, Jude Guiney, Rachel Weatherall and Rose Jackson had to write the final chapter of the book and then e-mail it on to the rest of the schools. The story was about how twins separated at birth meet up again after their parents are killed. We decided to make it an exciting thriller. The project was challenging as we had to tie in our plot so that it fitted with the other chapters and make the language work properly. It was fun and I would definitely do it again.

To View some of the e-book project click here

 

Accompanying text by Emma Crothers

Our writing project took place in March 2010. The participating Schools this time were: Wellington College Belfast, St. Louise’s Comprehensive College, Thornhill College Derry, Killicomaine Junior High Portadown, St. Genevieves and Nendrum College Comber. The E-book is basically a story sent via email from one school to the next and so on until the very last chapter is written. The process starts when a selection of opening lines suggested by different authors are presented, from which one is chosen. The first school must then create the first chapter, starting with the chosen opening line, being as creative and imaginative as they can while still leaving the ending of the chapter as open as possible, so the next schools have a chance to add their own twists and ideas into the story. Once the first chapter is finished, it is sent via email to the second school, who write the second chapter and so on and so forth until the final school has completed the final chapter and the story is complete! This year’s writing team consisted of Rose Jackson, Kyle Graham, Jude Guiney, Rachel Weatherall and myself, of course. With very different personalities, writing one piece of literature together without biting each other’s heads off seemed immensely unlikely. Almost every single person had a different idea that they were determined to write, all taking a different meaning from the opening line: “Better start running,” he said, with an evil grin, patting the shrouded cage beside him. “You’ve got a 30 second head start before I let it out!”

But no sooner had we opened our mouths to argue when Ms Jennings rallied us all together for a group discussion. On a large sheet of paper, we took turns to jot down points about each section, ranging from setting to the personality of the protagonist to the appearance of the ‘it’. Ideas and opinions began to fly onto the page from nowhere, and before we knew it, the foundation of the story had been created. The ‘it’ would be an eerie creature named The Shroud, contained in a cage of sorts by its master, and the protagonist, a brave, fiery girl, would be called Ria.

The thrill of not knowing where the story is going next, the anticipation of the next chapter arriving, the pride of realizing that people who you’ve never met before are reading your work and interpreting it in their own way. That is what makes writing the e-book so enjoyable. Plus, working alongside your friends and classmates gives you the chance to see sides of them that you might not have ever glimpsed. The e-book was merely a story, a quirky, immensely enjoyable idea that a few pupils thought they might as well have a go at. But it provided the means for several people to not only improve their writing skills, teamwork ability and confidence, but also discover the unique talents that each member of their group had that otherwise would have gone undetected, plus forge friendships through the unearthing of similar interests. The story itself may only have taken one week to write, but the experiences and the memories will surely remain with me, and the rest of my group, for many years to come.

Includes Cover Art

   

To view some of the e-book project click here