Cornelia Funke's novel "Inkheart" has been awarded the 2009 Nene Award by Hawai'i's schoolchildren.

"Inkheart," which was adapted into a 2008 movie, tells of 12-year-old Meggie, whose father's secret ability to "read" characters out of a book is revealed when a mysterious stranger arrives.

"The City of Ember," by Jeanne DuPrau, was the runner-up.

The Nene Award goes to the favorite fiction book, based on votes cast by fourth- to sixth-graders.