MINTY - Book Review by Sheepa Ahmed

Fourteen-year-old twins Minty and Jess are inseparable. Maybe they bicker now and then, even crave a bit of space once in a while. But they have a connection. Unbreakable. Steadfast. Nothing can tear them apart. Until a family trip to the coast puts their bond in jeopardy. As Minty tries to rescue her dog from drowning she ends up fighting for her life. Will Minty survive? If she doesn’t, how will Jess cope without her? Only the stormy sea has the answer.
Minty is a story of love, loss and coming to terms with consequences. It’s a spiritual tale that will linger in your mind long after you’ve read the final word.

 

 

Sheepa's review

 

'Christina Banach had me trapped in Minty's heart breaking world packed with emotion. This beautiful tale of two sisters made me aware of death and how important living in the present is. Minty died trying to save her dog but in return she had to leave her sister, and herself trapped between two worlds.

Minty has to go through the pain of watching her family go through the grief of loosing her. Christina's stunning style of writing succeeded in bringing tears of joy and sadness to my eyes. For a first book being this good, it makes me wonder what is yet to come.'

Sheepa and Julakha - big fans of Minty!

BECOMING A WRITER WITH MIRIAM HALAHMY

 

On Tuesday April 29^th, Miriam Halahmy visited EGA to talk about ‘Becoming a Writer’ as part of our ongoing programme of talks. Miriam is the author of several books,  ranging from collections of poetry to her recent series of three books set on Hayling Island, Hidden Illegal and Stuffed. She talked about the inspiration for her novels, and read excerpts from Hidden and Stuffed, as well as getting two keen students, Lia and Mia to act out a piece from Hidden which she had rewritten as a play script. She ended her talk with her top five tips for writers.

The event was extremely enjoyable, and Miriam will be meeting more students from EGA in June, as Stuffed is being read as part of this year’s Pop -Up festival.

Islington Teen Read Award

HER SISTER'S VOICE wins award!

 

 

 

 

After three months of voting the results were in and Her Sister's Voice was the most voted for book by Islington students. The author (me!) was presented with a certificate by the Mayor of Islington, at Waterstones bookshop. A panel of authors including Dave Cousins, Keren David, Lesley Cheetham and Sara Grant read from their books and answered questions from students.

Students from ColaI school

With the Mayor, Dave Cousins, Keren David and Sara Grant