A GIFTED schoolgirl has won a national writing competition.

Reina Oda has been commended for creating ‘a really touching tale of friendship and courage’.

The eight-year-old from Alderley Edge has been selected as the KS2 winner in Pearson’s national writing competition.

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Her story about the importance of inclusion has been published in a new book, ‘My Twist on a Tale, Represent!’

In autumn last year, digital media learning company Pearson encouraged pupils to shine a light on the page.

Children aged four to 19 were invited to write about representing what they feel is being left out in literature today.

Reina’s tale ‘The Special Senses’ was chosen alongside 17 other stories and poems written by children across the country.

Her story follows Latif, a refugee orphan from Syria who is blind, and Zahrah from Iran who is deaf.

The two best friends were often made fun of and bullied by their peers.

One day, they were in a group, making a treehouse for a school project.

As they climbed in, Zahrah sensed a rumbling in the ground and tried to convince those around them that it was an earthquake.

Though disbelieved at first, their actions ultimately save other students, and set off a chain of events that break down barriers and celebrate the impact that their special senses have.

What starts as a story of loneliness and isolation ends as a celebration of inclusion.

Reina, a pupil at Terra Nova School in Jodrell Bank, said: “I didn’t expect to win at all.

“I thought my mum was kidding when she told me!

“I feel amazing and excited that my story will be published.

“I have dreamt of being a published author and now my dream has come true.

“I hope I can have more stories published when I’m older.”

Students from schools and colleges across the UK entered the competition, writing and reshaping their own diverse pieces.

Lindsay Nadin at Pearson said: “Reina should be extremely proud of the story she has written.

“Our judges loved the imaginative range of language in this tale.

“Its ultimate message of finding strength in our differences has also chimed with everyone who has read it.

“At Pearson we are committed to inspiring diversity and inclusion among young people.

“Shining a light on new voices and topics that might not be found elsewhere.

“We’ve recently made our Bug Club Reading series bigger and better than ever because we want all children to be able to develop a lifelong love of reading, and to feel that our books are for them, whatever their ability, background or identity.

“We were thrilled at the brilliant standard of entries and feel honoured to share this provocative, gripping, reflective collection of talent with a national audience.

“Everyone who submitted a piece should be very proud of their creation.”

Ashley Bates, a primary teacher who judged the KS2 category, said: “From the first line of this tale, Reina has carefully chosen her words, really bringing the story to life.

“The plot is simple but effective and the characters are believable.

“This is a really touching tale of friendship and courage.”

All budding authors received their own copy of the new book as part of their prize. Audio versions of each winning entry will soon be available.

To download a copy of the book visit go.pearson.com/represent