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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:02 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Hawaii's keiki pick 'The Lightning Thief' for 2008 Nene Award

Advertiser Staff

Children across the state have designated "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan the winner of the 2008 Nene Award.

"The Field Guide: Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1" by Tony DiTerlizzi is the runner-up and recipient of the 2008 Nene Honor Book Award.

The award was presented last week at the Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor, due to sponsorship by the Hawaii State Teachers Association. In addition to the book-awards presentation, student winners of the Nene Award essay, poster, digital arts, and performing arts contests were honored. Their winning entries were inspired by "A Boy at War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor."

Also during the program, state librarian Richard Burns read aloud an acceptance letter from Harry Mazer, author of "A Boy at War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor," the 2007 Nene Award winner.

The Nene Award is presented to the favorite book voted on by Hawai'i children in grades four to six. This year, 6,911 children cast ballots at public or school libraries to choose the winner.

"The Lightning Thief" tells the story of 12-year-old Percy's Jackson's dangerous quest to travel across the United States and capture a thief who has stolen Zeus' master bolt.

Student essay contest winners

  • Grade 4: Jack Diehm, Aina Haina Elementary; Honor (runner-up) - Nova Clark, Saint John Vianney

  • Grade 5: Nathaniel Kaneshige, Maryknoll Grade School; Honor - Jessica Tabe, Mililani Ike Elementary

  • Grade 6: Chrislin Hearn, Pearlridge Elementary; Honor - Shauna Hearn, Pearlridge Elementary.

    Poster contest winners

  • Grade 4: Edric John V. Verona, Maryknoll Grade School; Honor - Ryan Kaku, Maryknoll Grade School

  • Grade 5: Travis Kim, Mililani Ike Elementary; Honor - Hana Ito, Maryknoll Grade School

  • Grade 6: Sarah Zhang, Maryknoll Grade School; Honor - Haylie Reichner, Kapolei Middle School.

    Digital arts contest winners

  • Grade 4: Dylan Feeley, Maryknoll Grade School; Honor - Blythe Ballesteros, Mililani Ike Elementary

  • Grade 5: Chassy Anne Inouye, Shay Chow, Maryknoll Grade School; Honor - Taylor Hayashi, Arianne Yago; Maryknoll Grade School

  • Grade 6: Erin Voss, Le Jardin Academy; Honor - Xavier Imperial, Maryknoll Grade School.

    Performance contest winners

  • Grade 4: Braeden Freitas, Ethan Moon, David Foy, Maryknoll Grade School

  • Grade 5: Zhane Mejino, Barber's Point Elementary

  • Grade 6: Briana Grenert, Sara Wilheim, Kailua Elementary

    Nene Award corporate sponsor Perma-Bound Books has presented a copy of "The Lightning Thief" to all participating public libraries and schools.

    The annual Nene Award is sponsored by the Hawaii State Public Library System, Hawaii State Department of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, USS Missouri Memorial Association, Hawaii Library Association, Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Hawaii Association of School Librarians, Accel Party Rentals, Perma-Bound Books, Barnes & Noble, Scholastic Book Fairs and the Pauoa Elementary School Bibliotechies.