2004 Journalism

Jennifer Lynn Melnick

had her story “Amelia Pepperpot Can’t Ah-Choo” published in the December 2013 issue of Highlights magazine. Melnick, a native of Hazleton, Pa., who also earned her master's degree at Penn State ('06 Telecom) has been writing stories since first grade and recently decided to pursue her dream of becomming a children's author. Melnick’s story is about a young girl named Amelia Pepperpot, who has an odd infirmity -- she can’t sneeze. Melnick, who has a large portfolio of stories for children, is also a self-taught illustrator. “I enjoy doing both as I can have my characters look exactly as I envision them,” she said. “My mother is a talented artist and has a degree in commercial art, so it seems I’ve inherited her creativity.” She also complemented her journalism degree from Penn State with a minor in art history. For her master’s thesis, Melnick extensively studied the history of children’s books, as well as the children’s book and e-book markets, in order to find how publishers can promote a healthy e-book market for children. Founded in 1946, Highlights for Children Inc., is publisher of the most-read children’s magazines in North America.

Note Posted: November 23, 2013