This year is the National Year of Reading and the theme for Juneis Reading Escapes. To tie in with this Booktrust, the charity that encourages people of all ages to enjoy reading, has set the challenge for young writers aged 11 to 16 to write a 500- word short story with the title My Great Escape.

The four best short stories will win their authors a place on the judging panel for the Booktrust Teenage Prize 2008.

The entry form is available for download on the brand new Bookheads website www.bookheads.org.uk 

The Booktrust Teenage Prize was launched in 2003 to recognise and celebrate contemporary writing for teenagers. It is run with the support of The Reading Agency which publicises the Teenage Prize in libraries across the UK, primarily through coordination with public and school library services.

Last year a group of teenagers reviewed the shortlist for the prize for Parenting Without Tears.