Shortlisted entries

'Wisdom from the Future' by Garam at Bangkok Patana

Lovely eco message here, and one clearly very much from the heart. Well done, Garam.

'A Recipe for Disaster' by Miles at International School at Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur

I think Miles is a big fan of Home Alone - no bad thing! Some very funny slapstick moments, and comedy can be a tricky thing to write.

'One Spark' by Amelia at The Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur

Timely tale in response to Australia burning, and evocative writing. Superb stuff, Amelia.

'Trapped in Time' by Sofia at The British School of Colombo

I like this - feels like the beginning of a bigger, thrilling story. One that needs telling - crack on with it, Sofia!

'The Dog, the rocket and the cup of tea' by Isla at Epsom College, Malaysia

I do love a spooky Mad Scientist tale. Great work, Isla.

Winners

WINNER

'One Spark' by Amelia at The Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur

A clear winner with its strong message - not that every story needs one, of course, but this appears to come from the heart. A great friendship struck up between Luna and Smoky, and a real sense of jeopardy as our heroine sets out to save our desperate koala.

RUNNER UP

'Wisdom from the Future' by Garam at Bangkok Patana

Another story with its eye on the troubles we face today. Who doesn’t enjoy a spot of time-travelling in their tale-telling? Some super descriptions of the future wasteland, and a warning that we are masters of our own destiny. It’s never too late to change.

RUNNER UP

'Trapped in Time' by Sofia at The British School of Colombo

Very much enjoyed the adventure aspect to this, with its building sense of peril. It does feel like the start of something bigger, so I’d be intrigued to read what happens next.

Shortlisted entries

'I see life' by Musa at The Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur

A harrowing story which just goes to show, not every tale needs a happy ending.

'The Dragon's Talisman' by Roselyn at International School at Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur

Interesting take on dragon mythology, especially cleverly told from the dragon’s perspective.

'Futile Protection' by Sizhe at Dulwich College, Singapore

Tremendous atmospheric writing.

'Earth's Guardians' by Teioh at HELP International School, Kuala Lumpur

A colourful, cautionary tale on mankind’s destructive path.

'Into the Woods' by Harriet at Dover Court, Singapore

A gothic twist to a Grimm-esque favourite, being lost in the woods.

Winners

WINNER

'Futile Protection' by Sizhe at Dulwich College, Singapore

Really enjoyed this story, and it put me in mind of the great war poets such as Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. That anti-war message comes through loud and clear, with the 100 year anniversary of the First World War still in recent memory. Truly chilling writing, a gloomy, portentous world-build and a sombre, hopeless ending. Great stuff.

RUNNER UP

'The Dragon's Talisman' by Roselyn at International School at Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur

Great to see the switch being played here, with the tale being told from the villain’s perspective. Colourful use of language in describing not only the dragon but the world she used to fly in. The numerous piles of ash at the end is a great addition too.

RUNNER UP

'Into the Woods' by Harriet at Dover Court, Singapore

A gothic ghost story with a riddling twist. Harriet’s world building was really evocative, and certainly placed me into the cursed forest of the story. I do love a good riddle - you can blame my favourite children’s book, The Hobbit.

Shortlisted entries

'Not Human' by Sophia at elc International School Sungai Buloh, Malaysia

Felt like a very personal piece of writing, with genuine sadness coming through. Very good.

'Peach Pit' by Soraya at Jerudong International School

This is a quite remarkable piece of writing. I was transported to the deep south, mixing mythology with the adventures of Huck, Jem and Scout.

'White Gazelle' by Summer at Taipei European School

Incredible writing. If I didn’t know better, I would assume Summer had lived this life herself.

'A Knight's Oath' by Gan Yan at HELP International School, Kuala Lumpur

An unexpected twist, taking the stereotypical fairytale scenario and turning it into something contemporary and relevant.

'The Secret Sentinel' by Sonia at The Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur

Although much of the story takes place in a confined space, Sonia builds a convincing world with her carefully unfolding narrative and blistering finale.

Winners

WINNER

'Peach Pit' by Soraya at Jerudong International School

A worthy winner of this category, and the best story in the entire competition to my eyes. A mature writing style with a distinct voice that places it within a world we all know, forged in the literature and stories of America’s deep south. And the peach pit itself? Are we talking about that literal thing, or is the entity within something more profound and disturbing? A baby, perhaps, born to a troubled and confused young lady. Quite brilliant. Keep up the amazing work, Soraya.

RUNNER UP

'White Gazelle' by Summer at Taipei European School

Really hard to make this a runner up, as it could win any competition, but the quality across the board was so very strong. Summer describes an utterly convincing pair of worlds, from the hardship of Syria to the relative comfort of Turkey. Our protagonist’s journey is harrowing, compelling and believable, coming straight from the news and onto the page. Tremendous work, Summer.

RUNNER UP

'A Knight's Oath' by Gan Yan at HELP International School, Kuala Lumpur

A clever subversion of the fairy tale roles that we all know so well, making this very much a “woke” fable for a new age. Whoever said our knight had to be male? Great to see a heroic female lead in such a story, bucking the expectations of the audience. Well done, Gan!