Below you’ll find the incredible stories written by young people to capture this turbulent year. You can work your way through the book in order or use the buttons throughout to help find a story that’s right for you!
The first chapter of this collection focuses squarely on the impact 2020 has had on the lives of these young authors. These sensitive submissions capture not only the disruption caused by the pandemic and the restrictions that follow it, but also hint at the ways in which this extraordinary period has only exacerbated the existing pressures on young people.
The second chapter captures the tremendous upheaval faced by those young authors whose lives have transformed in other ways in the last year. For these writers who have moved from different parts of the world to Barking and Dagenham, adapting to a new home and society has been made even more complicated by school closures and social distancing.
This year has also encouraged some of these young people to reflect deeply on themselves and their own lives. For some this has meant examining past demons, confronting fear and loss or examining their values and beliefs. In the third chapter we highlight some of these moving stories that reveal the power that can come from telling one’s own story.
For other storytellers, an unexpected consequence of this year has been the opportunity to initiate conversations at home and hear stories from their families that may have otherwise been left unsaid. In the fourth chapter, you will find two such stories that tell the incredible stories of the authors’ parents.
Finally, in the fifth chapter, some of the storytellers have used the power of storytelling to transport themselves out of their current environment and tell fictional tales. Whether it is taking them to a basketball game in LA or on a secret adventure, imagination has the power to open up possibilities in a time when doors seem to be closing shut. These creative stories have also allowed other writers to explore important issues of 2020, whether it is the ominous feelings school has created or the tragic consequences of knife crime.