July winners 2024 – young writers

In our July competition, we asked for stories featuring a lifejacket.

Congratulations to the winners of our July competition.

Feeling inspired? Have a go at this month's prompt.

Young writers (12–18) winner

Nabiha Ali

Grandmother once bought a whole crate of oranges from the grocery store. They were firm and bright and felt like tennis balls. She let the skins stew in boiling water. When stripped of their flesh she said, they float. Now: facedown, the man in the lifejacket floats the same way.

Young writers (5–11) winner

Harriet Foster, age 8

I hopped into my boat and slid my arms into each sleeve. I saw a squid with a turtle stuck in its tentacles. I rescued the poor turtle and put the squid in the aquarium. I sailed home in my boat. I thanked my life jacket. It saved my life!