Contact B'nai B'rith

1120 20th Street NW, Suite 300N Washington, D.C. 20036

info@bnaibrith.org

202-857-6600

by Terri Hogan

Jourdan Lewanda of Olney and Andrew Latona of Silver Spring, both recent graduates of James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, collaborated to write and illustrate “Pepper the Porcupine and the Big Parade,” the winner of the Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge.

The contest challenges high school students to write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. The winning book, chosen from about 100 entries, was announced June 6 at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington, D.C.

In the story, Pepper the porcupine wants to participate in his town’s parade band, but doesn’t have much talent for playing an instrument. After searching for his place to fit in, he finds his unique talent as the bandleader…more.