"Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life" by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts has been chosen by the children of Hawaii as the winner of the 2013 Nene Award. The Nene Honor Book Award (runner-up) is "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" by Tom Angleberger.
The annual Nene Award is presented to the favorite fiction book based on a vote by the children of Hawaii in grades 4 through 6. This year, a total of 5,985 students from 78 public libraries, private and public schools statewide voted.
Award-winning children's book author Jacqueline Davies, co-winner of the 2012 Nene Award for "The Lemonade War," the first book in "The Lemonade War" series, was a special guest and made the announcement this morning before an audience of more than 700 invited dignitaries, students, teachers, and other guests at the 48th Annual Nene Award Presentation Ceremony, conducted for the second consecutive year at the Hawaii Okinawa Center.
Last year, Davies shared the Nene Award with Brian Selznick, author of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," which marked the first time there was a tie vote in the history of the award. Davies is the recipient of numerous other awards including the 2011 Nutmeg Award (Connecticut), 2011 North Carolina Children's Book Award, 2009 Rhode Island Children's Book Award, and 2007 New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing.
"Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life," a New York Times number 1 bestseller, is a hilarious and heartwarming story about Rafe Khatchadorian, a self-described "Tragic Hero," whose first day at Hills Village Middle School begins badly and all indications suggest this could be his worst year ever. Rafe has a plan to make this his best year ever – if only he can pull it off!
Student contest winners of digital works, essays, creative writing, and posters celebrating "The Lemonade War" and "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" were honored at the ceremony. The winners and honorable mentions of five categories include:
Interpretive Category – Creative Story: Grade 6 winner: Michael Voss of Salt Lake Elementary; 6th Grade Honorable Mention: Jamie Lacno of Maryknoll School.
Interpretive Category – Digital Media: 5th Grade Winners: Danielle Grimsley and Madison Wise of Hale Kula Elementary; 4th Grade Winners: Catherine Choi, Mari Shoop, Taylor Anne Arakaki of Maryknoll School; 6th Grade Honorable Mention: Amanda-Joy Lee and Jade Unabia of Sacred Hearts Academy and Maya Woo of Holomua Elementary; 5th Grade Honorable Mention: Braden Kim, Cade Lehl, Cody Chow of Maryknoll School.
Persuasive Category – Essay: 5th Grade Winner: Tiana Goudreault, Mariko Quinn, Drew Swansom, Aisha Yamamoto of Kaneohe Elementary.
Persuasive Category – Digital Media: 6th Grade Winners: Sean Koyamatsu and Cole Miho of Kaneohe Elementary; 5th Grade Winner: Sorenna Jean of Hale Kula Elementary; 4th Grade Winner: Sofia Mishima of Pearl Ridge Elementary.
Persuasive Category – Poster Category: 5th Grade Winners: Reese Yamamoto of Mililani `Ike Elementary and Tryphena Hsu of Hahaione Elementary; 4th Grade Winner: Brie Bella of Maryknoll School; 6th Grade Honorable Mention: Brayden Bella, Skyler Chun, Ashley Sim of Maryknoll School.
Perma-Bound Books will donate a copy of the 2013 award-winning titles to each participating public library and school.
The annual Nene Award is supported by the Hawaii State Public Library System and State Department of Education. Sponsors include Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii Association of School Librarians, Hawaii Library Association, Perma-Bound Books, Scholastic Book Fairs, and Follett Library Resources.
Melissa "Mysti" LePage, Children's Librarian at Kaimuki Public Library, is the 2012-2013 Nene Award Committee Chairperson.
At top: Photo of student contest winners and distinguished guests at today's Nene Award Ceremony (2nd row, l-r) Tamar Nite, Scholastic Book Fairs; Mysti LePage, Chairperson, Nene Committee; author Jacqueline Davies; Alana Deppe-Mariota, Follett Library Resources; and Christina Abelardo, President, Hawaii Library Association. Photo is courtesy of HSPLS.