Winners in California, 2005

Level I – Grades 4-6

Winner Kelsey Woo, Harbor Day School, Newport Beach Wrote to Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Click here to download Kelsey's letter (pdf)

Finalists:
Lexie Brogden, Sierra Vista Elementary, Upland, wrote Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of The Secret Garden [pdf]
Kayl Eubanks, Las Flores Middle School, Dove Canyon, wrote J.R.R. Tolkien, author of Lord of the Ringstrilogy [pdf]
Harrison Kalt, The Mirman School, Encino, wrote Kate DiCamillo, author of The Tale of Desperaux [pdf]
Bonnie Lei, Suzanne Middle School, Walnut, wrote Lemony Snicket, author of The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #1) [pdf]
Kaitlyn Lewis, Arlene Hein Elementary, Elk Grove, wrote Gail Carson, author of Ella Enchanted [pdf]
Elana Meer, The Mirman School, Encino, wrote Lois Lowry, author of Number the Stars [pdf]
Sam Miller, Seed University Elementary School, Los Angeles, wrote Louis Sachar, author of Holes [pdf]
Tyler Moudy, Lake Arrowhead Elementary School, Running Springs, wrote James Ramsey-Ullman, author of Banner in the Sky [pdf]
Monica Stauch, Red Oak Elementary, Oak Park,wrote Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn-Dixie [pdf ]

Level II – Grades 7-8

Winner Laura Gibson, Upland Jr. High School, Upland Wrote to Mariane Hale, author of The Truth About Sparrows Click here to download Laura's letter (pdf)

Finalists:
Allison Ball, Grant School, Redding, CA, wrote Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terebithia [pdf]
David G. Cook, Pioneer Jr. High School, Upland, wrote Jack Prelutsky, author of Something Big Has Been Here [pdf]
Summer Dowd-Lukesh, Mount Baldy School, Rancho Cucamonga, wrote Andrew Clements, author of Things Not Seen [pdf]
Amy Drummond, E.J. Toll Elementary School, Glendale, wrote Francine Rivers, author of A Voice in the Wind [pdf]
Laura Maidah, Chandler School, Arcadia, wrote Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation [pdf]
Jay Patel, Carden School, South Gate, wrote Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick [pdf]
Alyssa Roberg, Scotts Valley Middle School, Scotts Valley, wrote Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time [pdf]
William Singleton, Monterey School, Hollistes, wrote William Nicholson, author of Firesong [pdf]
Victoria Van Horn, Our Lady of Grace School, San Diego, wrote Patricia McCormick, author of Cut [pdf]

Level III – Grades 9-12

Winner Hann-Shuin Yew, The Harker School, San Jose Wrote to Iris Chang, author of The Rape of Nanking Click here to download Hann-Shuin's letter (pdf)

Finalists:
Jia Chen, Gabrielino High School, San Gabriel, wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald , author of The Great Gatsby [pdf]
Christina Griffin, The Pruess School, San Diego, wrote Louis Sachar , author of Holes [pdf]
Jane Hafoka, Leuzinger High School, Hawthorne, wrote J.R.R. Tolkien , author of The Hobbit [pdf]
David Hilton, Maria Carrillo, Santa Rosa, wrote Norton Juster , author of The Phantom Tollbooth [pdf]
Jason Hinckson, Eastside College Prep., East Palo Alto, wrote Alex Haley, author of Autobiography of Malcolm X [pdf]
Connie Hung, Washington High School, San Francisco, wrote the authors of Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Souls [pdf]
Amanda Proschold, Golden Sierra, Garden Valley, wrote Sarah Dessen , author of Dreamland [pdf]
Natalie Quach, Gabrielino High School, San Gabriel, wrote Dan Brown , author of The Da Vinci Code [pdf]
Sirena Ung, The Preuss School, San Diego, wrote Loung Ung , author of First They Killed My Father [pdf]