The challenge launches on October 13th with the publication of two new editions in the bestselling Ordinary People Change the World Series: I am Anne Frank and I am Benjamin Franklin. 

New York, NY (October 13, 2020) – Penguin Young Readers announced today the launch of the Ordinary Kids Change the World Challenge in partnership with iCivics, the nation’s premier civic education provider. Today also marks the release of the two newest editions in the bestselling Ordinary People Change the World series, I am Anne Frank and I am Benjamin Franklin. 

The Ordinary Kids Change the World Challenge is inspired by the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series, Ordinary People Change the World, by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. The challenge opens on October 13th and aims to foster the creativity of students and classrooms around the U.S.by encouraging submissions on how they would change the world. To enter, students ages 5 – 8, and K-3 classrooms, can submit their ideas before December 31, 2020 by visiting OrdinaryKidsChangeTheWorld.com for a chance to win the grand prize. One individual student winner and one classroom winner will be chosen by Penguin Young Readers and guest judges Brad Meltzer, Christopher Eliopoulos, and iCivics. The winner will receive $2,500.00 to help make their idea a reality, plus a meeting with a mentor in their field, and a library of Ordinary People Change the World books. 

“The best heroes are always the real heroes,” says series author Brad Meltzer. “So excited to see what kids around the country come up with. And the very best part will be seeing it become a reality. Get your best ideas ready. We can’t wait to see them.”

“Ordinary People CAN change the world, so I’m overjoyed that children from all over the country have a chance to make a difference with this contest!,” says series illustrator Christopher Eliopooulos. “We all have ideas how to make the world a better place and this contest is the perfect way for our young heroes to make a difference! I can’t wait to see all the entries!”

Founded by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, iCivics is the nation’s premier civic education provider, reaching over 7.5 million students in all 50 states each year. 

“iCivics is thrilled to partner with Penguin Young Readers for this year's Ordinary Kids Change the World Challenge,” says Julie Silverbrook, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Constitutional Scholar in Residence at iCivics, “iCivics strongly believes it is essential to encourage kids from a very early age to be intellectually curious and to learn about the manifold ways ordinary people have and will continue to change the world for the better.”

The Ordinary People Change the World series has more than 3.7 million copies in print; I am Anne Frank and I am Benjamin Franklin mark the 21st and 22nd editions in the collection. PBS Kids debuted Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum in Fall 2019 and the launch marked one of PBS Kids’ most successful debuts, having been streamed more than 41 million times across PBS Kids’-owned platforms since its premiere. 

About iCivics
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor founded iCivics in 2009 to transform civic learning through innovative, free educational video games and lessons that teach students to be knowledgeable, curious, and engaged in civic life. Since then, iCivics has become the nation’s premier non-profit civic education provider to more than 7.5 million students across America. Visit www.icivics.org to learn more.

Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson. As of April 1, 2020, Bertelsmann is full owner of the company. With more than 300 imprints and brands on six continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- German- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With over 15,000 new titles, and more than 600 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 80 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Contact: Audra Boltion, Penguin Young Readers