Each year, Hawaii's elementary and middle school children vote for their favorite fiction book and present the author with the prized Nene Award. This is an exciting time filled with reading and sharing, and voting for the best.
The award began in 1959 when third graders at the University Elementary Lab School decided to create a book award. The Nene Goose, Hawaii's State Bird, was chosen for the award's motif. That year, the children selected The Blue Mountain by Beth Lewis as the first winner of the fledgling Nene Award.
Established in 1959. Sponsored by the Hawaii State Public Library System.