Winners in California, 2006

Level I – Grades 4-6

Winner Troy Just, Westlake Wrote to Katie Couric, author of The Brand New Kid Click here to download Troy's letter (pdf)

Finalists:
Alexandra Ballinger, Menlo Park, wrote to Terry Pratchet, author of Wee Free Men & A Hat Full of Sky [pdf]
Sasha Bobrowicz, Menlo Park, wrote to Sharon Creech, author of Walk Two Moons [pdf]
Michael Caldwell, San Ramon, wrote to Brian Jacques, author of Martin the Warrior [pdf]
Emily Goldfield, Sebastopol, wrote to Ann Brashares, author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants [pdf]
Taylor Hurles, Stockton, wrote to Joyce Carol Thomas, author of Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea [pdf]
Michelle Johnson, Palo Cedro, wrote to Edward Bloor, author of Tangerine [pdf]
Taylor Massey, Upland, wrote to Kate DiCamillo, author of The Tale of Desperaux [pdf]
Heather Seeley, San Ramon, wrote to Judy Blume, author of Are You There God, It's Me Margaret? [pdf]
Sophie Strauss, Culver City, wrote to Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees [pdf]

Level II – Grades 7-8

Winner Summer Dowd-Lukesh, Rancho Cucamonga Wrote to Cate Tiernan, author of Full Circle Click here to download Summer's letter (pdf)

Finalists:
Karissa Burgos, Upland, wrote Kevin Henkes, author of Olive's Ocean [pdf]
Ethan Canty, Loomis, wrote J.R.R. Tolkein, author of The Lord of the Rings [pdf]
Nikolas Cook, Orange, wrote Edgar Allen Poe, author of The Raven [pdf]
Timothy Davis Jr., Orange, wrote Gary Paulsen, author of Marshmellow and Cocoa Days [pdf]
Ramon de Jesus, La Palma, wrote Sharon Draper, author of Tears of a Tiger [pdf]
Travis Larson, Carmel, wrote Ben Mikaelsen, author of Touching Spirit Bear [pdf]
Mia Mendola, Encinitas, wrote Paula Danzinger & Ann M. Martin, authors of PS Longer Letter Later [pdf]
Linxi Wu, Rancho Cucamonga, wrote Jennifer Donnelly, author of [pdf]
Lemiece Zarka, Irvine, wrote Willa Cather, author of My Antonia [pdf]

Level III – Grades 9-12

Winner Larkin Grant, Orinda Wrote to Tim O'Brien, author of The Things They Carried Click here to download Larkin's letter (pdf)

Finalists:
Kailyn Bradshaw, Colton, wrote Tamora Pierce, author of Song of the Lioness Quartet [pdf]
Chelsea Kritzler, Rolling Hills Estates, wrote Alice Sebold, author of The Lovely Bones [pdf]
Po-Yi Liu, Shingle Spring, wrote Juan Rulfo, author of No Dogs Bark [pdf]
Jonathan Lord, Vacaville, wrote Ray Bradbusy, author of Fahrenheit 451 [pdf]
Nathan McKee, Mission Viejo, wrote Peter Benchley, author of Jaws [pdf]
Amir Moarefi, Santa Monica, wrote Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny in Farsi [pdf]
Liam Stanton, Davis, wrote Erich Maria Remarque, author of All Quiet on the Western Front [pdf]
Hoshi Scanlon Frances Williams, Santa Monica, wrote Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club [pdf]
Hann-Shuin Yew, San Jose, wrote Tennessee Williams, author of A Streetcar Named Desire [pdf]