RANDOM HOUSE STRUIK & JAMES PATTERSON SHORT STORY COMPETITION Rand House Struik recently held a short story competition inviting young readers to write short fictional stories with the chance to win a cash prize of R5,000 as well as books for their school library to the value of R10,000. The winning school was also invited to nominate a disadvantaged school of their choice who will receive a further set of books to the value of R10,000. The winner in the 9-12 age group is Haytham Jeppie from SACS Junior School in Cape Town, whose story titled Ghost School impressed the judges. The runners-up in this age group are Max Tedder from SACS Junior School, Peter D'Agular from Chesterhouse School and Ruby Roux from Oakhurst Girls Primary School. The judges also recognised great talent in young writer Tom Vidal from Bishops College in Cape Town, and he was chosen as the winner in the 13-17 age group for his story titled Broken Wings. The runners-up in this age group are Samantha Hayward from Herschel Girls School, Ryan de Villiers from Parklands College and Cheree Janse van Rensburg from Pretoria High School for Girls. The competition was judged by Marj Brown and Jay Heale. Marj is Senior Librarian at Roedean, SA Coordinator of the International Kids Lit Quiz, and Founder and Coordinator of the literacy quiz, Phendulani. Jay is the author of many children's books including Hooked on Books. He reviews children's books regularly on the "Book Choice" programme of Fine Music Radio. James Patterson is passionate about encouraging children to read. He was inspired by his own son, who was a reluctant reader, to write books specifically for young readers. Random House Struik supports this initiative and with this competition, we hope to inspire more young South Africans to become passionate about books, reading and writing. For more information about the short story competition please visit www.randomstruik.co.za/shortstory or contact Candice Harrington on 011 484 3538 / candiceh@randomstruik.co.za For more information on James Patterson's titles please visit www.randomstruik.co.za or contact Ryno Posthumus on 011 484 3538 / rynop@randomstruik.co.za