A Dragon of Inn
Written and illustrated by Daria Chernysheva
Brooklyn Technical High School

Brooklyn high school student Daria Chernysheva took first prize in the 2012 B’nai B’rith International Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge for her book “A Dragon of Inn.” As first place winner, Daria Chernysheva, a student at Brooklyn Technical High School, receives a $5,000 college scholarship and will have her book professionally published.

In the story, which Chernysheva wrote and illustrated, the Isle of Inn is inhabited by dragons from four different tribes—Moon, Sun, Wind and Water. They don’t interact or trade due to a dispute generations ago. Hallie the dragon is the only one who does not belong to a tribe. When the Great Storm comes, Hallie convinces the tribes to help each other and share their various resources. In the end, the tribes reconnect and are once again happy. As Hallie says,”Alone, your gifts were only so powerful. Together, they were mighty.”

> Download a digital copy of this winning book.

Color Coded
Written by Yashoda Persaud
Illustrated by Angela Chen
Queens High School

The second place award went to Yashoda Persaud from Queens High School who wrote “Color Coded.” The book was illustrated by classmate Angela Chen. The pair took home a $2,000 scholarship.

Unmasked
Written and illustrated by Iris Dai
Townsend Harris High School, Flushing

Third place went to Iris Dai of Townsend Harris High School in Flushing, N.Y., for her book “Unmasked.” Dai earned a $1,000 scholarship.