Middlesbrough Reads Connecting Stories Anthology 2021 by literacytrust

Middlesbrough and me

“Congratulations to all the young writers featured in this anthology. I am so impressed by their imaginative and creative stories a must-read!” Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust

Connecting Stories Connecting Stories

Connecting Stories, funded by Arts Council England, aims to increase children and young people’s interest in reading and writing, and to promote diverse voices and stories. Children and young people were invited to take part in a creative writing competition which has been judged by publishers, authors and community champions. This anthology celebrates their creativity and hard work. We hope all entrants feel extremely proud to see their story published and that this gives them the confidence and passion to continue writing.

Connecting Stories

The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL Supported by Arts Council England Cover illustration © Jennifier Naalchigar, 2021 Zine illustrations on activity pages © Kristyna Baczynski, 2021 Design and content © National Literacy Trust, 2021 Design by Jacob Hawkins All enquiries around this anthology should be directed to: contact@literacytrust.org.uk

Connecting Stories Middlesbrough: Middlesbrough and me

The National Literacy Trust is a charity dedicated to improving the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills of those who need it most, giving them the best possible chance of success in school, work and life. We support communities, schools and early years settings and campaign to make literacy a priority. The Connecting Stories campaign is a project funded by Arts Council England to increase children and young people’s interest in reading and writing and to promote diverse voices and stories. Connecting Stories provides a programme of exciting events, such as virtual author visits, creative writing competitions, and activities for families to enjoy.

With thanks... We would like to thank Arts Council England for funding and supporting the Connecting Stories project. We would also like to thank Walker Books and authors Matt Oldfield and Jamie Russell, who generously supported this anthology, and extend warm thanks to the numerous community champions and corporate volunteers who have kindly donated their time to help bring this anthology together: Atlantic Books

Hannah Fogg

Cambridge University Press

Charlotte Kim

Emerald Publishing

James Kingett

Faber & Faber

Jenna Lee

Pearson

Michael Leyland

Saffron Alexander

Marykate McGrath

Sally Atkinson

Jan Papworth

Gaganpreet Kaur Basra

Allison Potter

Sheena Carman

Tahera Sultana

Dawn Claypole

Emile Tambeh

Rhona Drever

Felicia Tennant

Margaret Duff And finally, thank you to all of the children who took part. It is their stories that make this anthology so special.

A word from our author, Jamie Russell I am delighted to have had the pleasure of reading entries from Middlesbrough. All entries included in this anthology have captured the spirit of the theme, ‘Middlesbrough and Me’, in such imaginative and original ways. Anthologies traditionally don’t include the voices of children. Yet these are the very groups of people with the most creative ideas and the most relevant experiences! We’ve collected the best young voices from across Middlesbrough and gathered them all in these pages. Whenever anyone asks me to explain why I love writing, I tell them that stories are gateways to other worlds. Opening a book is like opening a portal to somewhere new and different and stepping through it. Sometimes the portal takes you to the past, or the future, or to an alternate reality. But sometimes it can take you somewhere familiar, like your hometown, and let you see it through someone else’s eyes. The best thing about being a writer is that you get to choose where the portal leads. When I was writing my novel SkyWake: Invasion, I wanted to put readers into the centre of an alien invasion. What would it be like if you and your friends were the only people who knew how to fight back against the invaders? Would you be able to stop them? Stories are great at putting you in situations you might never experience in real life and making you think about how you would react. Whether you’re a reader or a writer, stories have incredible power

to make us think about the world and our place in it. They can influence our thoughts, our opinions and even our behaviour… After reading all the wonderful entries from Middlesbrough, I’m coming to visit the town as soon as possible! I wish you as much joy reading this anthology as I had selecting the entries and above all that they inspire you to keep reading and writing.

A word from our Hub Manager, Allison Potter I know first-hand just how creative the children of Middlesbrough are, so I was so excited when we launched the Connecting Stories creative writing competition. We spoke to a range of local partners and community members and agreed on the theme of Middlesbrough & Me, and I am delighted to be able to share some of the brilliant entries here in this creative collection of writing by young people from across the town. Sometimes, Middlesbrough is painted in a less than favourable light, particularly by those outside of the town, however those of us who live and work here know it to be an exciting and vibrant place, with a fantastic sense of community and a strong local identity. There are new developments happening in Middlesbrough all of the time, and Teessiders also have a fabulous sense of humour, and I was thrilled to see so many of these characteristics come through in the writing of young people taking part in the competition. The Middlesbrough Reads campaign has been working tirelessly to promote a love of reading and to champion literacy skills across the town for many

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years, and I am really proud to see so many creative and high-quality entries in the competition – those taking part are a real credit to Middlesbrough and to themselves. I hope that the competition, and this fantastic anthology, will inspire children to continue writing, or to begin writing for the first time – we know that writing is so important for expressing creativity and developing skills for success in life, but it is also a great way to support positive mental health, particularly during challenging times. I really hope you enjoy reading the winning entries as much as I have. Allison Potter, Middlesbrough Reads

Winning entry: 02 Mahisha M, 9

2nd place: 04 Hannah Y, 10

All entries 06 Darcie C, 8

27 Dylan H, 9

41 Finlay S, 10

08 Lexi J, 10

28 Shahad A, 11

43 Lishaan S, 10

09 Jaycey C, 10

31 Chloe M, 10

44 Jacob D, 11

11 Finley H, 8

33 Charlie W, 9

45 Alfie M, 11

13 Millie C, 10

34 Layla W, 8

46 Alfie W, 11

14 Zainab Y, 9

35 Owen D, 8

48 Harry S, 11

16 Thomas D, 8

36 Reece W

50 Freya S, 8

19 Poppy M, 11

37 Harley C, 10

52 Jellisha P, 8

23 Rayan S, 7

39 Lukhpreet S, 8

55 Omer A, 10

24 Zara B, 7

40 Zach B

56 Phoebe R-G, 10

25 Molly E, 11

40 Max M

57 Participating schools

Mahisha M, 9

Football is special here and its special for me too

I recollect memories, memories of nine years

I love Middlesbrough!

Life wasn’t easy at first for me here

Middlesbrough loves me too!

Slowly, I gained the confidence to sink in Middlesbrough has given me so much  I treasure each and every moment here Local parks give me the strength to be fit and fun Museums give me educational insight of history  My summer memories are mostly around Middlesbrough I first performed in the 150-year-old town hall  which is the closest memory to my heart to date Middlesbrough makes me want to live here forever I love Middlesbrough for the beautiful nature reserves Libraries are motivators of my reading skills My healthy walks are around the local landmarks

Hannah Y, 10 It was the start of the summer holidays and a lanky, long-haired teenage boy was in grave danger. Just to warn you this is not your average fairy tale. It all began when everyone flooded out of Huntcliff Secondary School. Everyone was thrilled to go home, especially Jason. He sprinted to the beach, where his house was at the end of Saltburn pier. More washed-up sea creatures lined the beach, drained of all colour except yellow and red spots covering their entire bodies. He saw a girl around his age edging away from the water as if it were poison. When he reached her she squeaked, “Oh, hello!” “Hi,” Jason replied. They stood in awkward teenage silence staring at the calm sea until he looked up at where she once stood but she had vanished and left in her wake a faint smell of campfire smoke and a whisp of blue floating in the breeze.

When he woke, he could not remember what had happened after the encounter, he was not on Saltburn Pier anymore. He was tied to the wall of a cave by thick, long ropes. A blue, dingy light came from a rocky pool in the centre of the cave allowing him to see the slimy walls. As he became more accustomed to the darkness, he realised that the walls were lined with inscriptions in a language he was not familiar with, which was strange because he was in the school’s language club. Jason fought and struggled yet the ropes tightened each time he pulled away from the wall. After an hour the ropes dug into his ankles and wrists rubbing them raw. A drop of blood fell onto the scribed floor as he began to make a silent plea for help. As if she had heard him, the girl from the previous day appeared in a cloud of blue smoke. She whispered, “I’ll explain later, we have no time.”

Darcie C, 8 There once was a scruffy, fluffy dog called Henry and he was sad because all his family left to go to school and work. Henry was used to everyone being around him in lockdown, but now was all on his own. Covid had been cured and the world was back to normal. Henry decided he would break out for a day and have some fun. First, he went to Stewart’s Park and jumped in the duck pond and ate all the duck’s bread! The ducks where furious and try to use their beaks to peck at him. Henry did not care and had a happy smirk on his wet, muddy face. Next, he went to a carpet shop in Middlesbrough’s town centre and scared all the people by barking and jumping over the rolls of carpet. Henry was very wet from the duck pound and he found the furriest white carpet in the shop and shook his dirty water all over it. Later on, he went to the Teessaurus Park near the Transporter Bridge and jumped and played with all the other dogs. When Henry turned round his scruffy, fluffy fur stuck up with shock as a giant T-Rex was right

behind him! Henry let out the most terrifying bark, that most people thought the T-Rex had come to life! Henry quickly ran and ran and ran until his nose flipped up in the air like a wolf going “‘ahwoooooooo” because he smelled the Kader school dinner! He ran in to the dinner hall and into the kitchen and he gobbled up all the sausages! One of the dinner people let out a big scream and he bellowed “GET THAT DOG!!!” Henry ran out of the kitchen as fast as he could and into the school assembly with sausages in his mouth and a naughty little girl called Delilah tried to sneak Henry into her backpack. It was getting late, so he ran home and his owners were so happy to see him and were very confused about where he had been. Much to Henry’s disappointment it was sausage sandwiches for tea! Henry loved his adventure around Middlesbrough. The end.

Lexi J, 10

Jaycey C, 10

Middlesbrough and me

Dear Diary,

Living in Middlesbrough is special as can be it where my mum and dad raise me and my family.

Today I had the most wonderful day. Autumn means one thing, conkers! Me and my family went conkering in Stewart’s Park, it was raining on and off, so we geared up. We wore our wellies, hats, gloves, and big warm coats. The usually green grass was waterlogged and very brown-looking. My little brother and sister were running around and jumping in puddles so much that they had to tip their wellies out - there was a full lake in each one of their boots!

It has the Transporter Bridge and the Bottle of Notes outside the courts where the Jury votes. It has Albert Park and Stewart’s Park where I ride my bike, but it’s the ice cream van I really like. It has schools and colleges and universities alike, where adults and children go to learn and write. We have the Riverside Stadium and just up the road is the Captain Cook Museum with a story to be told. Middlesbrough has a steel industry if you don’t believe me Google it and see. So come to Middlesbrough and you will see why it’s so very special to me.

Me, and my parents started by looking for a big stick that we could use to throw up into the tree branches to knock conkers off. We all tried throwing the sticks at the trees but the branches were really high. My dad was the best at it, nearly every time he threw the stick up hundreds of conkers fell. The rest of us collected them, making sure to take them out of the green spikey shells. We put them all in a bag to take home and rinse off.

When we were going back to the car we ran through massive puddles that went over the tops of our wellies, by the time we got to the car we were drenched. All of our coats, wellies and other clothes had to be left in the boot and we all had to sit on towels. My dad blasted the heating so we would warm up quickly. On our way home we nipped into Morrison’s, dad came out with goodies like chocolate cake and custard. When we got home we had a hot shower and got into our clean PJs. I washed the conkers and dad put shoe laces through some of them ready for a game of conkers. Then we all had chocolate cake with hot custard on top to warm us up. A perfect end to a perfect autumn day.

Finley H, 8 My Perfect day Feeling tired I got out of my cosy bed, then realised I was going to a fossil museum so I jumped with excitement and got my brother, Alfie, dressed and ready. After that, I got a shower then got dressed with Alexa blasting with songs. We had to get our notebooks to write all the interesting fossils in. Then I screamed so loud because there was huge spider in the corner of the ceiling, my mum came wondering what is going on and she said it was tiny. “No, it’s not,” I said. She said: “Yes, it is.” Anyway, then we went in a taxi and headed to the museum. We passed a car with two kids fighting in the back seat, also we saw a man eating KFC. My mouth watered. Finally we arrived the museum looked like a mansion. It was so amazing so me and Alfie went over to the huge, wooden door.

Once we got inside it was so quiet. We had to be quiet we thought but then Alfie tripped over his shoelace and we laughed but since we had to be quiet we got kicked out. Then Alfie realised he had two wigs in his bag so we put them on and walked back inside. The guard looked at us like he knew what was happening but we ran before he knew it was us. We went in to a cool fossil room. In the room there was more than sixty fossils. Alfie saw a fossil which underneath it said it was 100,000 years old. It looked amazing. All of a sudden, Alfie’s wig fell off. Luckily the guard was facing the other way Alfie quickly put it back on fast. We decided to go home. The end.

Millie C, 10 If I was ever to be separated from Middlesbrough then I would lose hope. Lose the will to live. Never smile again because Middlesbrough is the heart and soul of me. Nothing would be fun anymore. I would have nothing, no memories and no place to call home. Memories are what keep us going. Like the time I learnt how to write, My best friend’s birthday party and so many more. You can’t leave those behind because they always stay in the same place. Home! At first when I realised this world, I did not think this place as home, But now it is a part of me and I can never let it go.

Not for one minute!

I have my friends and I have my school.

These are all the features of what I call home: Fans cheering at the Boro match, the lights at the stadium, the sight of the Transporter Bridge, learning at school, the accents, waves of the Neptune Centre pool.

In this town no one has a frown.

Everything. Nothing screams home more than that.

We share, we care, we look out for each other. Smiles on everyone’s faces as we go past. We have our library and we have our park, We have our emergency services which work through light and dark, Dorman Museum and Transporter Bridge are our special landmarks.

Zainab Y, 9

We share, we care, we look out for each other.

I love Middlesbrough

Smile on everyone’s faces as we go past.

Different people from all over the world live together in my community,

Lots of things to see and explore.

From different places yet all the same living together happily.

It’s a beautiful town which you may not have seen before.

We share, we care, we look out for each other.

Smiles on everyone’s faces as we go past.

Smile on everyone’s faces as we go past.

Come along and see Middlesbrough and you’ll find out more.

Some say hi, some say goodbye.

Thomas D, 8 The Middlesbrough Diamond In Middlesbrough, at midnight, George couldn’t sleep. His mind was fixed on how much he missed his dad after his death in the Amazon rainforest. George wanted to know more about where his dad adventured, so George crept out of his bed and climbed the attic stairs. He knew there had to be something in there that aided his dad on his journeys. In the attic were loads of objects: An old colouring book, some little instruments that he had made, and a little toy spider that got put in the attic when George had pranked his mum too many times. Then, just before George was going to give up, he saw a huge chest. On the chest he saw his dad’s name carved in the rotting wood. George saw that the chest wasn’t locked so he decided to open it. Inside was a map. A very old map that was so dusty George could only make out three words: ‘The Middlesbrough diamond.’ George was so excited because, if he found the diamond, he thought his mum would think that he’s a great explorer

like his dad. George was getting sleepy, so he stuffed the map inside one of his pockets and headed to bed. In the morning George headed outside in search of the diamond. The location was in Middlesbrough, but George couldn’t make out exactly where it was hidden. George needed some help on how to find it, so he went to the shopkeeper to see if she knew where it was hidden. When he arrived, George saw the shopkeeper standing in her shop. “Have you seen a diamond in Middlesbrough?” George asked. “I haven’t, but I’ll help you look,” the shopkeeper answered. She helped him search the shop. They searched for ages. No one had any luck. “I’m sorry, there’s no diamond in my shop,” she said. Suddenly, George thought about the football pitch. He loves the place and it’s huge so probably there’s a diamond hidden in the pitch. George waved bye to the shopkeeper and headed to the football pitch.

As George was walking through the avenue of trees to the football pitch, he realised what a wonderful place the avenue of trees was. George saw the paths that were perfect for bike riding and the big trees that he used to climb on. Then George saw two dog walkers on the path ahead. George decided to ask them if they have seen any diamonds. So George went over to them and asked: “Have you seen any diamonds?” “We haven’t, but the sun shining through the trees look like diamonds, doesn’t it?” the dog walkers replied. “It does, thank you,” George said. The boy walked to the football pitch and asked the coach: “Have you seen any diamonds on the pitch?” “No, I haven’t, but I’ll help you look,” the coach responded. So, the coach gathered up his team and asked them to help George find some diamonds on the pitch. They loved the idea. They searched for ages, but no one saw any diamonds. “I’m sorry, but me and my team haven’t seen any,” the coach said.

George decided to go home. He felt sad that he couldn’t find any diamonds, but he thought about how kind everyone was and what wonderful places he had been to. Then he realised that there wasn’t a diamond, Middlesbrough was the diamond itself!

Poppy M, 11 This is a story about a crazy adventure me and my friends had in the great town of Middlesbrough! It started one summer’s day when we were in the town headed to the football game. (I love football by the way). We were in the car dancing to pop music and some Boro chants (Boro is a nickname for Middlesbrough) when all of a sudden my friend Charlie screamed “STOP!” at the top of his lungs. His mum replied: “Why, Charlie? We’ll be late for the game if we stop.”

I was so confused. We were only minutes away and we could start to hear fans roaring. Charlie then stated: “That’s the Transporter Bridge!”

We all quickly jumped out the car and pulled Charlie over to it. “There you go, It’s the same as the photos now let’s go!” Maddy said eagerly.

“Why did we have to stop to look at it,” I questioned. “We’ve driven past it millions of times before!

“Wait, I can see something over here that wasn’t in the photos, I’m going to check it out,” Charlie said then walking away to near where the cars get transported.

“We learnt about it last week remember!” Charlie said sounding exited. “So?” We were all confused. Why did he want to stop? We were going to miss the team line ups!

Not going to lie, the bridge did look pretty nice with the sunlight shinning on it so it would glisten in the sun. We ran after Charlie, his mum was in the car waiting.

“Can’t we go and have a closer look at it? I really want to have a look!”

Tommy shouted: “Charlie! Wait up, you can’t leave us and you’re getting very close to the edge.”

“Ugh!” I said angrily. “It’s the same bridge we saw in the photos. Why do you want to look at it?”

Charlie replied: “Hurry up then!”

“Because it’s so much more bigger and you can see better details in real life! “Ugh fine, quickly though we’ve probably already missed the team line ups!” my friend Maddy said with Tommy next to her agreeing and nodding.

He knew I hated running and catching up to him included running! Angrily, I ran over to Charlie to see him standing over this weird part of the grass. “Is it just me or does that grass look different to the grass next to it?” Maddy asked. “It does,” I replied so Maddy didn’t think she was going insane.

All of a sudden Charlie stood on it and... He VANISHED!

Rayan S, 7

“Charlie!” Where are you? Are you pranking us?” I asked because Charlie is always scaring us or pranking us.

Middlesbrough and Me

No response. “Ok,” I said “Let’s go after him.” “ARE YOU INSANE?” Maddy replied fuming “I’M NOT GOING DOWN THERE IN A MILLION YEARS!” “Stop overreacting, Maddy, it’s not going to be that bad,” I said then stepping on the grass. But nothing happened. “Erm, why haven’t I gone where Charlie is? Is Charlie stuck there forever?” Suddenly we all fell down. “Well, that was unexpected,” Tommy said then giggled. “TOMMY THIS IS NOT FUNNY. I TOLD YOU I DIDN’T WANT TO GO DOWN HERE!” Maddy said very aggressively. “Calm down!” I said “We’ll find a way out and find Charlie.” Or will we?

A stone’s throw away from my house is the famous Stewarts Park, Captain Cook’s house and museum. I like going there for walks, feeding the greedy honking ducks, watching the chicken chisel down the seeds, and me swinging on the swings, aiming high for the cloudy sky. One extraordinary Saturday I decided to go on an adventure deep into the never ending woodlands. Deep, deep, deeply among the ancient trees, on the floor amongst the mass damp black and squelching mud a sparkle glimmer shot into my eyes. Clearing away all the rubble was teeny tiny mystical nugget. I held it in my palm and it magically became a gloopy puddle of ooze dripping down my quivering hand. Transforming into a talking mythical dragon, it asked me to jump on its back, we flew over my house, zoomed past my school, through the fluffy clouds over the Tees and Transporter Bridge for a rollercoaster ride.

We stopped for a drink at the water fountain opposite the Dorman Museum. My tummy rumbled like Vesuvius.

Zara B, 7 Where I like to be In Middlesbrough is where I like to be. Home to my family, friends, pets and me, Some people say it’s not very nice, I have to disagree. Come and visit there is so many things to see, There are lots of parks, museums and cafes to enjoy a cup of tea, We go for walks along the river, will we see a seal? Maybe! In Middlesbrough is where I like to be.

Molly E, 11 Shirley Holmes and the Mysterious Man. It was a cold winter day on the 24th January 1880 and Shirley Holmes was solving a mystery, “Shirley, please find out who killed my daughter!” shouted a lady. “I will miss.” Shirley walked out of the Dorman Museum. I hope I don’t have any more mysteries today she thought, but little did she know that a mystery would soon be hard to understand. That night Shirley stayed awake, she was trying to find out who killed that poor lady’s daughter and just then she had a plan. At that moment, the telephone rang: “Hello?” She said. “Hello Shirley Holmes I know where you live!” Shirley was petrified. She went to get her coat and ran out of her house. She ran and ran and ran until she reached the address on the phone of the mysterious caller. It was him standing outside of the place. “I knew you would come!” he said. “You don’t know what I’m capable of!” Shirley gasped.

The Dinosaur Park

“Where am I?” she said softly. I think I have found the person who nearly killed me, she thought. “Jack the Ripper I will find him, I will, I will, I WILL!” That night she went to find him.

One of my favourite places in Middlesbrough, my home town, is the dinosaur park. I like the dinosaur park because it’s really fun to play and climb on the dinosaurs.

“Well, ‘ello, ‘ello, ‘ello what do we have ‘ere?”

I love to kick the leaves and a football around. It’s especially fun with the frisbee! Also the dinosaur park changes in the different seasons. In the summer it’s really nice to have a picnic in the warm weather. Then when autumn comes, all the leaves fall down and you can kick them about. In winter, all the puddles turn to ice so you can break it all into little pieces (you’re lucky if it snows!) And finally, in spring all the beautiful flowers come out. The dinosaurs have just been painted so they all look sparkly and fresh.

“I know it’s you Jack the Ripper.” “You got me you will now DIE!” She stood there still as a statue… “No YOU!” BANG! He was dead. Jack the Ripper was dead. A celebration was held the next day. “JACK THE RIPPER IS DEAD YAAAY THANKS TO SHIRLEY HOLMES!!!!!!!” Watch this space for the next adventure of SHIRLEY HOLMES…coming soon.

Dylan H, 9

The next thing you know Shirley was lying on a hospital bed at the famous St Thomas’ Hospital.

My favourite dinosaur is the brontosaurus because he’s the easiest to climb (it go’s really high though!) It is also really fun to take a dog out to play there too. Our dog Zak had a lot of fun there too (he got a little bit crazy though).

Shahad A, 11 Lost and found Ancient. Historical. Vast. These were my lasting memories of the day my family and I went on a trip to go visit the Dorman Museum. The day I regretted most was stepping foot into the auditorium. By the way, my name is Ivory. I enjoy going on trips and love to go on adventures. As we looked around the museum, I had spotted a dinosaur skeleton with a missing bone. The tour guide reported that the dinosaur was from a rare species and that it was called an elaphrosaurus. I started imagining what it would be like if I had found the missing dinosaur bone! While we wandered around the museum, I stumbled upon a room marked, ‘keep out’. I was showered with curiosity. Something was pulling me, it was so magnetic. The force of the powerful energy was dragging me in. Once I entered the astonishing room, I saw a high-tech and compelling machine. The second I stepped inside the door was SHUT! I tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. A few minutes later, I spotted

a glowing, crimson button so I thought it would unlatch the door until I realised that the time machine was trembling! All of a sudden the door opened. I thought I was safe but I was wrong. As I opened the door a humid breeze stroked my face as I heard thundering calls from outside. Then I realised I had travelled back to the prehistoric times. I was curious, so I decided to take a glimpse of the prehistoric world. I discovered a meadow full of vivid flowers. Buried underneath the vibrant flowers, I found a beat-up bone, which looked like the missing dinosaur bone. Agitated, I decided to return back to the time capsule and press the red button to take me home. Before returning, I saw a beautiful waterfall, so I went to check it out, except there was a pterodactyl soaring in circles above me, looking for something to feast on. So I ran and ran back towards the time machine. I have never ran that recklessly in my life. Eventually, I made back to the time machine and pressed the button. Finally, I made my way back to the museum – bone in hand – however, there was also an oval object by my foot. It seemed

to tweet and soon enough I began to hear cracks. I rushed out the of machine and ran to my family. Exhausted, I placed the bone next to the skeleton and then called the tour guide. I told her about everything that had happened and, once I had finished, she ran up to the time machine with a group of heavily armed men. Silently, we watched from afar as the door opened and the oval object hatched open. “An egg, an egg”, stammered the tour guide as she smacked the door shut and pressed a vibrant, button that had the word ‘EMERGENCY’ printed on it. That must be why the pterodactyl was chasing me!

Chloe M, 10 Middlesbrough and me Middlesbrough is a fantastic place that contains many wonderful hidden treasures and holds a lot of people’s dearest memories. One of Middlesbrough’s many tourist attractions is Teessaurus Park. Teessaurus Park was opened up in 1979 on the southern bank of the River Tees with 10 acres of grassland. The park was created as a result of entering and winning an Art to Landscape competition and shortly after a triceratops mother and her two babies were installed on a grassy mound at a cost of £16,000. From 1987 onwards a life-size T-rex, stegosaurus, woolly mammoth, brachiosaurus, and a brontosaurus was added to make Teessaurus Park into a Jurassic world for all families! The prehistoric dinosaur sculptures were built out of iron and steel that can make your imagination run crazy! Below the grassy verge is the Tees River which flows rapidly past and you also have astonishing views of the famous

Transporter Bridge, which stands proudly over the river. Teessaurus Park is starting to become a small nature reserve, with lots of different species of animals beginning to make it their home and you can see flocks of birds gliding across the river. If you are lucky you may even see some seals. Why not take a leisurely stroll up the river and enjoy seeing Middlesbrough from a different viewpoint and count how many different species of wildlife you can see? This park is quite extraordinary as it can be enjoyed by the young and old alike. Bring along a picnic and spend a pleasant few hours here. To make it even better, there is NO entrance fee and parking is also free. Bonus!

Charlie W, 9 Let’s go boxing In the morning, I woke up with the sun shining through the cracks of my curtains so I got ready and went outside. Having a jog with my brothers’ dog Tyson, I was laughing at someone who was in the shower singing as I passed by. I shouted “hello” to Mr Miller and he said “hello” and his fish tank was in the garden. As I went in the breakfast shop I smelled the juicy, crispy bacon. So I bought it with hash browns, beans, sausages, also some toast it looked delicious. The food was so beautiful that it looked like I cleaned the plate. Running back, I gave Tyson back to Elliot and then I called for Max and we went to my house and played with the dogs and then we went to play video games until 6pm. After all that I had to go to boxing so I ran even more and I saw Sagho’s car and he let me in. Well, my dad knew him anyway.

So then we saw people at the door and we went in we saw people sparring and they were roaring “ouch, OW, HO, EE”. So then I was punching the boxing bag and it was going all over the place and then we were doing skipping. I was doing lots more so I walked home after a long day. Let’s do more on Friday.

Layla W, 8 My perfect day It was early morning and I was so excited for this day. I was dancing in the bathroom and then I could smell the bacon sizzling. We can’t find my purse? I’m shouting, “my purse where is it?” I am so excited! I found it. My dad told me to hurry up so I got in the car. The music was blasting and we went. We were all there and I forgot my purse. My dad got mad.

Owen D, 8 My perfect Day Laying in my bed, the sun was shining faintly. I got up and I went downstairs for breakfast. Rushing upstairs I quickly got dressed. Dean was going to pick me up and take me to school. I was very excited. After school, Dean took me to Redcar. I went past the smoky steelworks shops and a boys’ club. I saw a large tanker and it was going to deliver something or he could deliver oil. Patiently waiting for the light to turn green, I couldn’t wait to play on the beach. Jumping out of the car I ran to the sand to make a sand castle. After that, we went to buy some tasty hot chips. As I was walking a greedy seagull swooped down and grabbed my delicious chips. I would have to get some more. Once I ate my chips, I packed all the things away because I had to go and get a new pair of glasses. Putting them in my bag we headed off home in time for The Masked Singer, but I fell asleep and missed it!

Reece W As I woke up I thought about what I was going to do at school today but then I realised that today I didn’t have school. Instead it was Saturday. Quickly, I got up and out of bed and looked at the time it was 10am! I ran downstairs. Luckily, my mum had already made my breakfast. When I got ready it was 10.30am. I ran downstairs (again) and told my family to get ready to go to the park. By the time they were done it was 11am. My family got in the car and drove to the park. I kept thinking about what I what I was going to do today. I could see the Tees going past as fast as the wind. When I was going to the park I also saw a dog in a car! When my family finally got to the park there were only a few parking spots left. The first thing I saw was other families playing in the snow as well. Some people were throwing snowballs, other people were building snowmen and even some people were sledding. First, I decided to have a snowball fight with my dad.

Then, after, I made a snowman with my brother and my dad. After having fun in the snow my family went home because we were going to have our tea and, when we had finished we were going to go to the cinema. The movie started at 3.45pm. we arrived at 3.30pm. We were nearly late. My mum bought four movie tickets. When the movie finished my family went home and I stayed up late, then I went to bed.

Harley C, 10 I love the Transporter Bridge. it is so beautiful and big and just great! The vibrant blue is amazing and what would make me love it even more is being able to control it! Just imagine being able to have the chance to control the Transporter Bridge?

For me it would be the best time of my life.

Lukhpreet S, 8

I just love the Transporter Bridge, I could even say it again and again!

I love Middlesbrough.

That is just one thing I love about Middlesbrough. I love the people. I love the places like the Fun Shack, the Funhouse, the Tees Barrage and a lot more! I couldn’t ask for a better place to live more than Middlesbrough. It might not be the favourite place to live in the world but for the people who live there it is great. You don’t need all of the money in London like Simon Cowell or YouTubers. You just need home, family and friends and that is what Middlesbrough offers for all of the people out there. So Middlesbrough is better than any place for me (what makes it even better is the Transporter Bridge!) because most of my family lives there!

I was born on the 12th of October, 2012, at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. I’m 8 years old now I have seen so many things. Firstly, I have visited Dorman Museum. I have been in there so many times. I have visited the bird egg section, the football section, the old shoe section and learning about the Transporter Bridge. Another place I have visited which is next to the Dorman Museum is Albert park. This is where I go bike riding with my family and we race to the massive fountain. I am very proud of Middlesbrough and its places. What I am most proud about is the Transporter Bridge. Not many places have a bridge like this. I have been on this bridge with my family I was a little scared at first but then I got used to it. What I also like about Middlesbrough is the amount of parks it has. So many to choose from there is Stewart’s Park, Albert Park, Teessaurus Park and Preston Park. My favourite is Stewart’s park because it has a massive pirate climbing frame

Zach B Best day ever Very early in the morning I tiptoed down the stairs and made my breakfast. I woke my parents up. I walked to my room, opened my wardrobe, put my clothes on and made my bed. We got in the car drove to my friend’s house. We picked him up and went to town. Now the fun happens. We went to the game shop and bought loads of gift cards. At dinner time we had Gregg’s pizzas. Eventually we went home and went to sleep.

the hills. After a short while a dog chases me to Charlie’s house where I pick him up and then we ride up the hills. We see Redcar Beach, ships in the sea, turbines, the Transporter Bridge, River Tees, my school and the whole of Middlesbrough. After we sit down we eat our food. Then we slowly walk back down with our bikes.

Finlay S, 10 Max M My Perfect Day Early in the morning I wake up and make pancakes covered in syrup and eat them all. I pack a ham sandwich, tuna sandwich, two bottles of water and a can of coke and then get my bike ready and ride up

Middlesbrough and Me Hi I am Finlay and I live in Middlesbrough and I will be telling you all about Middlesbrough and me, of course. Let’s get started. Firstly, my main thing in life is my Mam, Dad, Grandma, Grandad and my older sister – who is very annoying. My Dad is also embarrassing. Middlesbrough can be boring at times, but most of the time it is fun. YAY. For me the boring bit is when we have to go to

the shops. The fun bit is everything but shopping. There is a Sports Village and somewhere called the Southlands which has a lot of astroturf football pitches. I play on the pitches with my football team and my best friend. The main food in Middlesbrough is the parmo. Surprisingly, I have never tried a parmo, so I will have to try it. It must be nice because all it is, is chicken, cheese and breadcrumbs. We are very close to the seaside and enjoy going on walks with my football and family. If you ask me, I think Middlesbrough is a pretty place. There is this special place in Middlesbrough called Riverside Stadium. It is the home of MFC (Middlesbrough Football Club). There is a big shopping centre, however it is outdoors. This means the shops are inside but there is no roof above you when you go outside to the next shop, so it is an outside shopping centre.

Lishaan S, 10 Middlesbrough is a very interesting place, I should know I have been everywhere in Middlesbrough. My favourite place is the Transporter Bridge. I don’t often go but I am proud to have this in Middlesbrough, in my town. I love my school, Kader Academy, and all my friends in it. I love the Showcase Cinema. It’s the best cinema around, with all the escalators which lead to different floors. This is where I go with my family. I can’t wait until they open back up again. You can’t say Middlesbrough is short on parks because it’s not. We have loads of parks to choose from and I have been to every single one of them. Stewart’s Park, Albert Park, Teessuarus Park. My favourite has to be Albert park with the big fields and massive fountain.

We have a beautiful bridge called the Transporter which moves across the River Tees. Middlesbrough is known for this and also known as the undisputed symbol of Teesside

Jacob D, 11

Alfie M, 11

Middlesbrough & Me

Middlesbrough Morning

The Riverside Stadium is home to Middlesbrough Football Club. It has a capacity of 34,742 people. I like the Riverside Stadium because I like to watch the football games as I am a huge fan and one day hope to play for them myself.

On a Middlesbrough morning my mother states the fact I need an education and wakes me from my slumber. I then climb down my ladder and open my curtains and think what I will see, rain and sometimes snow but today I think sunshine is all it will be. I open my eyes and see a white floor and sky and frosty grass and cars and people in coats, hats and scarves.

James Cook Hospital is special to me because I was born there and my mum works there I also go there if I feel unwell. The doctors and nurses are very kind and do a marvellous job of helping you get better. I play for Kader FC. MIMA is a very fun place because it can be a nice peaceful walk around the little lake and because there are loads of fun arts and crafts to do. The library which is next to the MIMA has lots of books from nursery rhymes to adult novels. You will never get bored in this part of Middlesbrough! Other places to visit: Hemlington Lake, Fairy Dell Park, Kildale, the Transporter Bridge, Dorman Museum, Stewart Park and Newham Grange Farm.

I eat my morning meal of Coco Pops and milk, then get a wash and clean my hair until it feels like silk. I brush my teeth with Sensodyne toothpaste and get ready to go to the best school anyone’s ever heard of! I have a dangerous adventure stomping in the snow, skating on the ice and fending off the little kids! I walk up to the blue gates of my school and ready myself to have an amazing day! When I walk out from the school, I walk alongside my friends, skating on the ice stomping on the snow and fending of the little kids!

Alfie W, 11 A Day in Middlesbrough (two parmos and a footy match) Today was amazing I had a parmo – twice – and played and watched football and I’ll tell you what happened well all the exciting parts anyway. 7.30am: My mum told me to GET OUT OF BED about a million times already, to go to my football training down the road. “I’m coming, Mam!” My footy clubs name is Whinney Banks FC under-10s. We’re not good, but not bad either. Finally, I got up at 7.45am. Mam wasn’t very happy but I got dressed in my training kit and went to football training in my Mam’s car. 1.45pm: I was so exhausted from football training that I almost forgot Middlesbrough’s football match against Wycombe Wanderers. I got into my Middlesbrough kit and went with my Mam and Dad. When we were there I got the food I love the most - parmo in a bun. Anyway, we won 3-1. That put us up to

8th in the Championship and the travel home was amazing. We listened to music and told jokes. Mine was the best: What do you get if you mix a snowman and vampire? Frostbite. 4.00pm: I was doing my chores when suddenly the temperature dropped down below freezing and it started snowing. “I don’t think the parmo will get here in this whether, Mam!” The snow stopped thirty minutes later and the snow was one meter deep. Luckily my dad went to go pick up the parmo and we sat down and ate the parmo and played in the snow until 6.00pm. 8.00pm I got tucked in my comfy bed with my hot chocolate and went to bed. And that’s a day in Middlesbrough!!!

Harry S, 11

1 hour later:

Middlesbrough Aquarium

We arrived at the aquarium and the queue was massive! But I was still so excited and I told my mam “I really want to see a shark.”

Wednesday: Today was a strange day. For some reason, an aquarium came to Middlesbrough which was all organised by the mayor, Andy McDonald, who surprised us all when it came to the town. Everyone was surprised especially me because I had never seen a real life shark! Thursday: As soon as I woke up I rushed downstairs and tried to have my breakfast, Pop Tarts, and my mam came down just in time to take them! At first, I was angry but then I realised that she was holding something. What was it? Then it hit me. She was holding tickets to the aquarium! I was so excited!

“We will go there then!” She replied, whilst giving me a big smile. 2 hours later: We finally got to the shark tank and it was a Great White Shark – the deadliest shark known to man! It saw me. We made eye contact but it wasn’t broken until my mam asked me if I was OK. It swam towards the glass and jumped. It hit the glass and unsurprisingly its teeth broke the glass and water started to flow out…

“Thank you so much Mam!” I said. “This is the best thing ever, I love you so much!” “We can leave in an hour.” My mam said happily.

Freya S, 8 Today after I got back from my school, Kader Academy, me and Maisie went outside to play. After about fifteen minutes my mum appeared at the back door she said we were going to my grannie’s and asked whether we wanted to scoot there so we said yes and off we sped to her house. Then my mum gave us money to go to Cooplands. I love Cooplands. It is exciting. After we got back, my dad arrived at the door and said: “I’m going for a walk so do you two want to skateboard to Outwood?’’ We both screeched “YES” and ran to get our skateboards. When we arrived our dad told us to hold on to his arms so we did. Then he started running and I had the time of my life. I love going to Outwoods because it has a massive car park to skateboard in. After we got home we set our skateboards down by the back door and we ran back to the front door to meet our mum and dad and we headed to the duck pond in front of Acklam Hall. I love the duck pond at Acklam Hall because it feels like

you are in a fairy land. We went around the duck pond and through the woods and back. When we were half way through I stopped to build a hedgehog house. After we came back I went on a picnic with my family at Roseberry Topping. When I got back I begged my parents to let me bike ride around Middlesbrough with my mum and Maisie. After I got home, I ran to Tesco to get some burgers. I like Tesco because it is reliable. Next my dad drove everyone to the seaside where we ate fish and chips and spotted boats. We then went for a walk on the pier where I played on the money dropper and received a unicorn keyring. When we got home we then went out into the back garden and we ate burgers outside while watching Hairspray. After that we ate chocolate crunch for pudding. Then we did the usual things you would do before bed. I then went on a night time walk down Acklam Road and back. Then when I got back I guess I am here in bed. Goodnight diary, see you tomorrow .

Jellisha P, 8 MIDDLESBROUGH AND ME My town Middlesbrough is a wonderful town located on south bank of the River Tees. There are lots of places to visit and admire in this beautiful town. This town has lots of historical places and landmarks which makes me proud. I am 8 years old and I enjoy visiting different places in my town with my parents since I was a baby. I LOVE MIDDLESBROUGH AND THE PLACES THERE! I have some favourite places in my town. Almost every year I visit the Tees Transporter Bridge. The bridge is bright blue, immense and colossal. The River Tees flows underneath and the Transporter Bridge carries cars from this end to the other end using gondola suspended from the bridge. The sight is always amazing. My most favourite memorable day of the bridge is when I went to a BBC music day event in 2016. I met Mr Bloom and it was the first day I travelled on the gondola, even though I have visited the bridge before.

Middlesbrough has lovely parks. The first park I have been to is Albert Park. I always enjoy playing and watching ducks and swans in the lake. The most exciting thing in the park is the roller skating rink! I used to fall in the beginning but then with practice I started enjoying roller skating. I love Stewart Park where my dad and myself go jogging. We see lots of animals and the most special part is when I received a medal for long distance running. I have been to the Cleveland Show, Party in the Park and other kids events that take place. Inside the park there is Captain Cook’s birth place museum where I got to know about Captain Cook›s life. The museum does many events for kids during summer holidays. My favourite event is pirate day, where kids can dress up as pirates and do so many pirate activities. It is a fun filled day. The Riverside Stadium is an amazing football stadium in Middlesbrough. I cannot forget the first time I went to this unbelievable stadium to watch a match. I love football and I attend MEC girls football sessions, so it was an awesome day filled with excitement watching the match.

Middlesbrough has its own prehistoric park and that is Teessaurus Park! A park where we can enjoy seeing prehistoric animals dinosaurs and learning their names. I love walking around the park, it is a beautiful place. My town also has a farm - Newham Grange Farm! I really like feeding the farm animals there and feel excited to see them. Farm also does special fun filled events for kids. Their decorations are always fantastic. There are the Bottle of Notes, Central Library, MIMA, town hall, Dorman Museum, Newport Bridge and many more lovely landmarks and places are in my town. I always enjoy Middlesbrough events like the reindeer parade and Christmas lights switch on, town meal, and other kids events.

Omer A, 10 Middlesbrough and Me Middlesbrough and me, We never disagree. Every day we go out and play, This is the way it will stay. I like to meditate with your sounds, While sitting on your beautiful grounds. You are the land I stand upon, Keeping me strong till the day I’m one.

My school, Corpus Christi RC primary, is where I spend most of my time. I love my school and teachers who always have a smile on their face. Middlesbrough gives me an adventurous life and it has taught me to explore new things. I am proud and lucky to be here. I LOVE MY TOWN MIDDLESBROUGH and I will keep exploring this gorgeous town.

Phoebe R-G, 10 Late one night in Middlesbrough a dog was attacked by its owner when, out of nowhere, appeared a springer spaniel wearing a black cape. The springer spaniel shouted in perfect English: “Leave that dog alone.” The owner laughed but in a flash Superdog had grabbed the scared animal and flew up in the sky. Within minutes Superdog came by with the police and the owner was arrested and the whole of Middlesbrough threw a party to thank Superdog for keeping all the other dogs safe.

With thanks to the following schools, whose pupils’ wonderful work is included in this anthology:

Archibald Primary School Corpus Christi RC Primary School Ingleby Mill Primary School Kader Academy Lingfield Primary School Marton Manor Primary School Pennyman Primary Academy Rose Wood Academy Sunnyside Academy Thorntree Academy

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