Dan Freedman sets children a challenge to write the ending for latest Jamie Johnson book

Renaissance Learning has teamed up with Dan Freedman, creator of the highly-popular Jamie Johnson series, to launch a new competition. Children will be challenged to write what happens next after the cliff-hanger at the end of Dan Freedman’s most recent book in the series, ‘Final Whistle’.
The winning entrant will become a published author, with 30 copies of the book, complete with their ending, published for their school. They will also have a character in Dan Freedman’s next book named after them and win a visit to their school by Dan Freedman and a top football coach.
The competition is open now, with a 500 word limit, and will run until 25^th October 2013, giving entrants plenty of time to work on their endings over the summer holidays. Dan Freedman, who will judge the entries himself, says: “I am really excited to be working with Renaissance Learning and can’t wait to read the alternative endings that are suggested. The book ends on a cliff-hanger, so our entrants have a great chance to be creative and finish the book in their own way.”
The competition is part of Renaissance Learning’s latest campaign to motivate reluctant readers, particularly boys, to read.
Dirk Foch, managing director of Renaissance Learning explains: “We work with over 2 500 UK schools, and teachers and librarians tell us that when it comes to getting boys reading, some techniques work better than others. It is really important to cater to their tastes, with books like Dan Freedman’s football focused Jamie Johnson series. They also need positive, male role models. Dads in particular play a hugely important role in motivating and encouraging boys to read – reading together, being seen reading at home and discussing books and stories. We hope children will be inspired to read and write their own endings, as part of the competition.”
The writing competition is open to schoolchildren in the UK and schools keen to encourage their pupils to take part can register at www.renlearn.co.uk/finalwhistle/.