My review of Wasted by Nicola Morgan

Wasted tells the story of Jess, a seventeen year old girl who is about to leave school. Her home life is not easy – her dad lives abroad and her mum is struggling with alcoholism. Jess spends her time writing songs and singing and it is through this that she meets Jack, who signs her up to his band ‘Schrödinger’s Cat’ as soon as he hears her unique voice. The band are playing at the school prom which is only a few days away, so need to practise flat out with  Jess as their new lead singer.
Jack’s life is ruled by chance. Having lost two mothers at an early age, he believes he can control his life with the flip of a coin. Jack is reckless and dangerous when playing the game and becomes addicted to it and exposes himself to unnecessary danger.  Jack and Jess fall in love and she soon becomes embroiled in the game.
The author plays with her readers by allowing them to play the game too. At crucial points, readers are asked to flip a coin and choose which chapter to read. She demonstrates how random life is, how events can go one way or the other with the slightest change of behaviour and unusually we are able to see both endings here. I particularly liked this aspect of the novel.
I read this book in a day, the characters are so believable and I was intrigued by the constant question of ‘What if?’  I flipped a coin at the end as instructed and got the ending I didn’t want; naturally I read the other chapter too.
I have already started recommending this book to students who I hope will enjoy it as much as I did.

Alexandra launches the Railway Children charity at EGA!

British popstar Alexandra Burke, Railway Children’s UK Ambassador, visited Elizabeth Garrett Anderson on 10th November 2011 to help launch new services to support young runaways and children at risk on the streets in Islington, Haringey and Camden.

Alexandra met with a group of 30 year & pupils and took part in a series of talks and workshops with the students and charity representatives. Around 40 invited guests, including Islington Mayor Phil Kelly had refreshments in the LRC before heading upstairs to meet Alexandra and the students.

The visit was cloaked in secrecy, in order to avoid mass hysteria breaking out. The girls were utterly surprised and delighted when Ms Sarah Beagley introduced 'an ex-student who would like to meet you.'

After the workshop Alexandra did a press interview and some photographs were taken outside the Garrett Anderson block.

I asked Alexandra to sign the Library copy of her Unofficial biography. She promised us plenty of free copies of the Ofiicial one when it comes out. I asked her whether she had been a keen library user, but she confessed that 'I spent more time in Art and Music; the library wasn't really my thing.'

While the photographes were being taken, Alexandra caught sight of the Food Tech students who had spotted her from their lesson and were pressed up to the window singing 'Hallelujah.' Despite protests from staff, Alex rushed over to the classroom and had to be restrained from entering the building by Ms Beagley and Ms Dibb with PC Elliott keeping a watchful eye on the situation. It was interesting to see staff revert to teacher mode with Alex, as she was very excited and enthusiastic and extremely wilful!

After another brief session with the students Alexandra posed for a group photo and then reluctantly went on her way. She was very down to earth and friendly with everybody and the charity were thrilled with the way the morning had gone.

Alex went off in her car - eventually, having stopped once to get out and hug Ms Silva - leaving her mum in school talking to Ms Bonsu. Her mother was a former singer in Soul II Soul and also a pupil at this school (then Starcross.) in fact Ms Bonsu taught them both!

Alexandra Burke

Alexandra was a pupil at EGA until 2005. She won the X Factor in 2008.

This extract taken from our Archives shows Alex's dedication to singing when she won the 'Stars in Your eyes' competition when she was in Year 7. She shows her dedication to singing even at that young age when she says 'I was so happy when I found out I won. I then broke into tears. I had worked so hard. I practice ever day to make my voice perfect.'

And a glimpse of the confidence needed to win the X Factor when she says 'I can't believe I won, but I deserved it.'

HAVE YOU READ ‘WHEN I WAS JOE’ &/OR THE SEQUEL ‘ALMOST TRUE?’ by KEREN DAVID?

WHY NOT ENTER OUR COMPETITION TO DESIGN YOUR VERSION OF THE COVER FOR THE THIRD BOOK?
The third book in the trilogy, ’Another Life’ is being published next summer. Keren David has invited EGA students to design their own version of the cover for the book. Her favourite will receive a signed copy of her latest book ‘Lia’s guide to winning the lottery.’
Or - All three book covers are being redesigned so why not create new covers for all three?
To help you with your design, here are a few facts from Keren. She says ‘The third book is jointly narrated by Ty and his cousin Archie. There are guns and drugs.  Crucial scenes take place on rooftops. There's a boxing club. ‘

ENTRIES TO THE LRC by Friday 25/11/11