More than 430 Northern Beaches students from K- Year 12 answered the call from Northern Beaches Council to write an original story including the theme words ‘Upside Down’ for the libraries’ annual Young Writers’ Competition.

Use of the theme words resulted in imaginative stories running the gamut from upside down countries, birthday parties and faces, to plots involving handstands, gravity, skateboarding, war, bank robberies and cockroach chases.

Twenty four finalists representing 13 local schools will attend an awards ceremony on 18 September where judges, including authors Jacqueline Harvey, Oliver Phommovanh and Will Kostakis, will announce the winners.

Six age categories will be presented with an award at a prestigious ceremony in September and have their stories published in an eBook to be included in the collections of Northern Beaches Council Library and the National Library of Australia.

Photo Opportunity: Presentation Night with author judges and finalists will be held at 6.30pm on Monday 18 September at Northern Beaches Council Chambers in Dee Why.