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Fans of Sue Hampton were delighted when, on Wednesday 15th October, the critically acclaimed author visited Devizes School.
The Hertfordshire-based writer is the proud author of three well-received books: Spirit and Fire, a historical Roman tale; Voice of Aspen, a Victorian story with a twist; and Shutdown, a futuristic book set in a dystopian world.
Her trip targeted female pupils in Year 8 and 9; 4 groups of students were lucky enough to meet her. She gave an engaging talk to many Year 8 and Year 9 girls and a workshop for the Gifted and Talented students.
"It was inspiring," gushes Emily Thorp. These students got to hear about the process of writing and publishing a book, and they also discovered more about Sue Hampton's books.
The Gifted and Talented pupils also received this talk, as well as the chance to produce a piece of creative writing based around the books and discuss it. The work was taken in by Sue and sent back with detailed comments on their work. The skill and range of the pieces was remarkable, and the activity enjoyed by all.
"I found it interesting and informative, and many of my peers enjoyed it, as they wish to pursue careers in writing," says Alice Czul, one of the Gifted and Talented pupils. Sue Hampton was very much appreciated at Devizes School, and we hope it will not be the last visit.
By Charlie Morgan 9EMS
Here are some excellent pieces that pupils produced on the day:
Ongalonging by Alice Czul Year 9
Number 47829 was a rather ordinary child. His skin was an ordinary shade of grey, and his hair grew upwards in an ordinary fashion. In fact, up to the arrival of the colliding forces, his life had been quite ordinary.
For a few years, news of a great war had reached his decontamination zone. He was told by his ordinary parents not to think about it. Thinking caused pain. Pain caused death. Even so, 47829 soon began to wonder what could happen if this war were to come to him. A few weeks later, he found out.
One morning he became aware of a low rumbling coming from the horizon. Rising from his capsule, he looked to the window screen and realised that what he saw was not so ordinary at all.
There was a metallic pyramid moving very slowly towards him.
Shutdown by April Palmer Year 9
4. Have I mentioned the social interaction sessions? I mean, come on, can't they even trust us to have conversations unsupervised? Even in the session we are told what to talk about. It's as if we are not even living our own lives, like they have some kind of remote control. We are not free to be ourselves or tell others our opinions. I wish we were not treated as things and more like human beings! From birth it is like there are no individuals, only clones of the ‘perfect child.' It really gets to me. I dream about leading your life, about actually being me for a change: not what everyone else wants me to be.
Spirit and Fire by Alice Wootton Year 9
The fire glowed red outside. Sparrow and Aifa were still asleep, unaware of the terrifying events unfolding. My body trembling, my mind in a state of complete havoc, I was scared, but not just for me. For my husband, for my children, for my friends and frightened for everyone.
Suddenly, the flames grew into blazing beasts of destruction. The terrifying crackles grew louder and nearer by the second. I could not bear it. We had to escape before the beasts ate us. I shook Aifa; she was in a state of confusion and disbelief. We stared at each other for a moment; I could feel her panic.
Then I scooped up Sparrow from where he lay so peacefully. I knew Aifa would follow so I escaped. The fire was even louder and frightening now. I ran, devastation showing on my face and tears trickling down my face. Bodies of the once alive lay still on the burnt ground. I couldn't bear to look down for the fear of who I would see.
My heart pounded fast and hard- like the beating of a harsh drum. Then I looked behind me, Aifa was nowhere in sight. All my tearful eyes could see was thick, dark smoke. I felt my heart sink: the devastation was unbearable.
"Aifa. Aifa!" I cried with all my might. But no voice echoed back at me. She had disappeared, all alone. Suddenly, a fresh batch of tears erupted from my eyes.
Spirit and Fire, by Grace Farrell 8SBL
I can feel the air throttling me, my lungs are turning black. I can see Aifa trailing behind me sobbing. I really want to pick her up and care for her but if I did that I would drop Sparrow and I can't do that as he's such a frail little thing. A cloud of the fire daemon is tearing straight at is. The Gods must be trapped, for the evils are attacking the great trees and gorging on them, their hunger never satisfied. But wait, I can see Aifa in the wrong direction. I try to call her but she cannot hear me over the harsh wails and screams of terror.
Aifa is no longer in my sight, I pray the Gods pay for her mercy. Now, as I make my way out of this broken town and head towards the chomana tree I hear the horror drifting away as if I am leaving a nightmare.
Shutdown , by Abigail Ibbetson 8PAR
The P.E. lesson-it's not really a lesson; it's me in my cubical on my own talking to a computer. Once the bell goes I press a button and the equipment I need comes out of the wall. Like today, I need a hockey stick and an interactive mask which puts you into a game. Not a game like yours with friends outside having fun, it's just me and a stupid computer pretending! I just want to run about in open space with no computer watching my every move.
Friends- I've only ever had one friend at school and even then it was once a day, in psychology for exactly 2 minutes talking about grades. Mollie and I used to muck about in that time but since she turned 13 she's changed. It's like everyone's the same at our school, I don't know how to explain it...they're boring goody goodies and never speak about anything but school work or the bubbles. No one has any fun once they're 13.
I turn 13 next month.
Spirit and Fire
I held on tightly to Sparrow, running out of the blazing hut with Lafa running close on my heels. She tried to grab onto my hand, something, anything, to keep us together, but I knew that if I sacrificed a hand for Lafa, Sparrow would be lost in the bodies that littered the floor. Flames blazed all around and fear welled up inside me. I gripped onto Sparrow tighter and turned my head briefly, but Lafa was gone.
"Mother", I heard, faint against the roaring flames. I looked desperately, grief welling up inside me, my eyes stinging with the smoke that grew ever thicker. Perhaps, I thought, my husband will come riding and carry me to safety; then he will go and find Lafa too. But I knew better as I hurried over the bodies of many I had known well and held close.
I looked down, even though all my mind and heart protested, my eyes still went down and there I found him. Tears welled in my eyes and my heart began beating faster. My knees weakened and I dropped to the ground, clutching my wailing son to my chest. He screamed and cried, almost as though he knew as well as I did that his father was dead, just as his darling sister probably was too.
But there was still hope; I knew what I had to do. I had to find my husband's gallant steed and ride to find my darling daughter, then ride the three of us to safety. We'd have to start our life over, but it would be hard. And my husband would need to be buried and honoured, otherwise how would his spirit ever make it to the next world? He deserved to be remembered as he died, fighting to protect his family and his people.
Deanna Sartin
Spirit and Fire
It was the worst day of my life, the air was smoky; I could feel it leaking in through the gap in the door. The air was thick, I could see that my youngest son Acco, who was known as Sparrow, because of his small and feeble body, was have trouble with the screaming of words, the thick smoke and the worrying look on my face as I glared into his eyes trying to reassure him.
Why are the gods doing this to us I thought, as I sobbed. Aifa turned to me, I could see that she was scared and shocked, she stared for a while. I was trying to figure out what was going through that mind of hers. I could hear the roaring flames coming closer and closer as if they were after us, trying to hunt us down.
I grabbed Acco and held him tight and as close as possible and turned to Aifa. We ran straight past the flames, trying to escape. I could see that she was trying hard to stay close to me as I ran. I could see that she was finding it hard to keep up. I tried to keep going; then suddenly I could not hear the small footsteps trailing along behind me. I turned to look behind. I couldn't see her. She was gone. I screamed her name and ran from side to side trying to find where she had stopped following, and gone her separate way. I screamed until my throat was dry and sore. The flames devoured the place, where she had stood. I held Acco more tightly than I ever had before. I didn't want to lose both of my beloved children.
Maisie Weller
Spirit and Fire
As the smoke choked my pounding heart, a thought came to my troubled mind, where was my beloved Aifa? I could no longer hear her soft padding footsteps in the mud. What had I done to deserve this sacrifice? Had the gods decided to take her life instead of mine. No I cannot make the assumption that her life has ended. I know her mind lives on; I feel it in my emotions. Still running, I called to her, my voice becoming more frantic as time progressed; Aifa... Aifa... where are you my sweet, where are you? Little Sparrow had his rounded face pressed against my shoulder. I could feel his little pointed nose against the once clear material of my dress, his legs hung as if lifeless, his little toes nipping at my legs as I continued to run, the village still burning behind me; the flames engulfing the buildings never stopping. The fire was fastidious, always hungry, wanting more.
I had reached my nadir, the worst moment of my life had come upon me. Still not a sound from Aifa, just the strangled cries of everyone I had ever known and the worried snuffles that my Sparrow was emitting. I could feel the heat on my back and smell the angry smoke. It clung to my nose like the mud to my feet. Bodies continued to block my endless path, my running becoming more vigorous. This was becoming the epitome of all disasters. My running superfluous. There was Ri, suddenly giving me hope. I placed my trembling Sparrow upon him and mounted upon his back.
Emily Budd
Lumpy and Neon
When you picture a bear, you wouldn't picture Lumpy. He didn't like honey or wear a red shirt or talk cheerily to passers-by. Nor did he attack trespassers or growl menacingly. No, Lumpy had always been different. Not as different as Neon.
Since he was a cub, Lumpy would sit alone. He liked to be on his own and write stories or learn about the world. Even when he was at home, he was a shy bear. His brothers and sisters would go out to play while he could happily lie on his bed and dream about other worlds.
Lumpy wasn't a particularly big bear, but he liked his cookies, which as a toddler, led to his affectionate name. His fur was the colour of straw, though much softer and very fluffy. He had big padded paws and dark eyes. He really was a beautiful bear, but he was still shy. Until Neon came along!
Neon's name said it all. Neon was a bright, happy, confident purple bear who took an instant shine to Lumpy. Lumpy was just sitting in class, learning about WW1 and the assassination of the Arch Duke Beardmond when Neon came in. Taking the seat next to Lumpy, he instantly started talking to him.
"Hello" Neon grinned at Lumpy, waving a violet paw at him. Lumpy could only nod, taking in this new bear, amazed.
"Don't you speak?"
"Yes" said Lumpy in a small voice.
"You two" their teacher, a stern looking bear with pince-nez glasses half down his nose, was peering down at them through his specs "Please, quiet".
"Sorry". Neon winked at Lumpy, opening his new book, "Do you think you can show me round school this week?"
Lumpy nodded, smiling. And after that, they were best friends. Neon introduced Lumpy to good music, dancing and the funniest movies.
Charlie Morgan
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