Refle ctions on a Divided City' is a new collection of short stories, poems and essays from the winners of the 2 010 Reading & Reflecting New Writing Competitions held by Monaghan VEC (Youthreach). The project has been in place for the past t wo years, with funding secured from the EU's Peace and Reconciliation body, and involved an inter-school writing competition (of which I was judge) as well as an inter-school debating competition. Students were asked to read novels written on the subject of 'divided cities' such as Theresa Breslin's Divided City and the Joan Linguard Belfast-based Kevin & Sadie novels - and the submitted portfolios of work were all based on readings of these novels - as well as a number of others. The standard was staggeringly high - and the essays in particular were very strong. This book (which I've edited and introduce) brings together all the winning stories, poems, critical pieces and serves as an excellent c...
