2009 - 2010 Contest Winners

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Los Angeles First Place Trying to Fit In Written and illustrated by Brooke Bemowski Robert A. Millikan High School- Long Beach, California Brooke Bemowski  of Robert A. Millikan High School, was selected as the first-place winner of the 2010 Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in Los Angeles. In addition to the publication and distribution of her book, Brooke will receive a $5,000 scholarship, which she will use toward her collegiate studies this fall – she plans to be a teacher. Trying to Fit In features Pete the Puzzle Piece’s difficult quest to make friends in a new town. As he travels, Pete is not accepted by anyone, until the Puzzletons attend the “Puzzle Peace Party” where everyone works together and Pete fits perfectly into a heart-shape puzzle art. Pete is finally accepted as part of the group.

Click the cover to read Trying to Fit In.

Second Place Danna the Dandalion Written by Vivian Se, Illustrated by Michelle Seo Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy- Harbor City, California

Click the cover to read Danna The Dandalion.

Third Place Nippers Written and illustrated by Alexis Benavidez Northridge Academy High School- Northridge, California

Click the cover to read Nippers.

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Memphis First Place Charlie’s Book Written by Rachel E. Green, Illustrated by Irene Makapugay St. Mary’s Episcopal School – Memphis, Tennessee Rachel E. Green and Irene Makapugay, of St. Mary’s Episcopal School, were selected as the first-place winners of the 2010 Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in Memphis. In addition to the publication and distribution of their book, Megan and Irene will share a $5,000 scholarship, which they will use toward college studies. Charlie’s Book tells the story of Charlie, a blind boy who participates in show-and-tell at school and explains how he reads with his fingers. A classmate, Jason, insults Charlie for not being able to read with his eyes and is later taught about people’s differences by his teacher. Jason learns an important lesson about diversity in people and befriends Charlie.

Click the cover to read Charlie's Book.

Second Place Luke and His Stripes Written and illustrated by Eric Ruleman and Brett Wagner Germantown High School – Germantown, Tennessee	Click the cover to read Luke and His Stripes.	Third Place Amelia Ladybug Learns a Lesson Written and illustrated by Emily Harrison Germantown High School-Germantown, Tennessee	Click the cover to read Amelia Ladybug Learns a Lesson.
Sponsor    The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc.

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New York First Place A Tale of Two Soap Cities Written by Oliver Lee, Illustrated by Reisha Cadelina Townsend Harris High School- Flushing, New York Oliver Lee and Reisha Cadelina of Townsend Harris High School, were selected as the first-place winners of the 2010 Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in New York. In addition to the publication and distribution of their book, both will share a $5,000 scholarship, which will be used toward their collegiate studies. A Tale of Two Soap Cities tells the tale of Aaron, who discovers that people have more traits in common than differences. The story begins with Aaron’s refusal to eat red vegetables; he will only eat green. Aaron then climbs into the hole of his bathtub and notices fighting between green and red “soapians” and concludes that both have more in common with each other than not. Peace finally comes to the soapians and they unite together with just enough time for Aaron to go home and eat a range of colorful veggies.

Click the cover to read A Tale of Two Soap Cities.

Second Place The New Kid Written and illustrated by Erica Chan and Edith Koci Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts- Manhattan, New York	Click the cover to read The New Kid.	Third Place Zubayda and the Play Written by Alicia Holland, Illustrated by Mahajabin Rahman Bronx High School of Science – Elmherst, New York	Click the cover to read Zubayda and the Play.
Sponsor

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San Antonio First Place A Color for Consuelo Written and illustrated by Amanda Rothbauer, Alice Frederick, Emil Suire, and Ellen Marie Andrews Keystone School- San Antonio, Texas Amanda Rothbauer, Alice Frederick, Emil Suire, and Ellen Marie Andrews, freshmen at Keystone School, were selected as the first-place winners of the 2010 Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in San Antonio. Their book was published in both English and Spanish versions and will be distributed to elementary schools and libraries throughout their community.  The winners will also share a $5,000 scholarship.	English Version Click the cover to read A Color for Consuelo.	Spanish Version "Click" cubierta para leer Un Color para Consuelo.
A Color for Consuelo features Consuelo the Chameleon and his quest to differentiate himself from his clan of Chameleons. Along the way, Consuelo travels to many places in search of finding different clans, yet discovers difficulty in becoming something different. Consuelo returns to his Chameleon clan to learn the lesson that one does not have to be different, but can find acceptance by being one’s self.

Second Place Brian’s Picture Notebook Written and illustrated by Doris Kisel, Aubrey Cruz, and Margarita Akopian Louis D. Brandeis High School- San Antonio, Texas	Click the cover to read Brian's Picture Notebook.	Third Place The Mobots Written and illustrated by Chance Baumann and Neil Redfield John Jay Science and Engineering Academy- San Antonio, Texas	Click the cover to read The Mobots.
Sponsor

To all the students who participated in this year's Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge, we thank you for your participation and your time to create such great submissions! We hope you enjoyed the contest and experienced greater insight into the meaning and application of diversity and tolerance.