Looking for more ways to engage readers with One Book One Nebraska? We now have bookmarks for 2024’s selection, “Dancing with the Octopus” by Debora Harding. Contact us at the Nebraska Center for the Book at CenterForBook@nlc.state.ne.us if you’re interested in receiving some bookmarks for your library!
Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed April 7-13, 2024 National Library Week in Nebraska today at the Proclamation signing ceremony at the capitol. He also honored the student winners of the Letters About Literature writing contest with signed award certificates. These students wrote personal letters to authors explaining how his or her work changed their view of themselves or the world. They selected authors from any genre, fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic. Winners were chosen from three competition levels: upper elementary, middle school, and high school.
These students were then honored at a reception at Lincoln City Library’s Bennett Martin branch where they had the opportunity to read their letters and receive their awards. Their winning letters were then placed in the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at Bennett Martin Public Library in Lincoln. For more information about the competition see http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/programs/LAL.html
Level I (Grades 4-6):
Winner is Brooklyn Green of Lincoln’s Irving Middle School, who wrote to S.E. Hinton about their book, The Outsiders.
Runner-up is Justin Kang-Shizuka of Lincoln’s Prescott Elementary, who wrote to George Takei about their book, They Called Us Enemy.
Level II (Grades 7-8):
Winner is Henry Skretta of Lincoln’s Irving Middle School who wrote to Neal Shusterman about their book, Scythe.
Runner-up is Liam Brown Kramer of Lincoln’s Irving Middle School who wrote to Robert Louis Stevenson about their book, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Level III (Grades 9-12):
Winner is Chloe Kasischke of Wahoo Public High School, who wrote to Allison Britz about their book, Obsessed: A Memoir of My Life with OCD.
Runner-up is Aidan Blakely of Omaha North High School, who wrote to Amy Tan about their book The Joy Luck Club.
This is no joke, April is here! If you’re looking for something to do this April, here are some upcoming literary events* that may pique your interest!
April 2nd, 2024 All Writes Reserved – Omaha Preliminary Bouts Metropolitan Community College, S. Omaha Campus, 2909 Edward Babe Gomez Ave. Omaha, NE, 5:30 & 7:30 pm All Writes Reserved is an annual youth spoken word festival and competition featuring schools from all over Nebraska and the Great Plains.
April 2nd, 2024 Katie Schmid Poetry Reading and Discussion Zoom, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Katie is a UNL graduate who loves to use wild imagination and linguistic play to channel suffering into creative power. Listen as she discusses her writing process.
April 5, 2024 Observe National Nebraska Day: Book Signing with Gail Shaffer Blankenau National Willa Cather Center, 425 N Webster St. Red Cloud, NE, 1:00 – 2:30 pm Observe National Nebraska Day by learning more about the complex history of the state’s south central region. Author & historian Gail Shaffer Blankenau will talk about and have signings of her new book, “Journey to Freedom: Uncovering the Grayson Sisters’ Escape from Nebraska Territory.”
April 5, 2024 First Friday Book Launch: “The Nebraska Sandhills” Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S 13th St. Lincoln, NE, 5:30 – 6:30 pm Meet the editors and hear stories about the history, people, geography, geology, ecology, and conservation of the Nebraska Sandhills.
April 6, 2024 Write On! Writer’s Workshop with Heidi Hermanson AV Sorensen Community Center, 4808 Cass St. Omaha, NE, 12:00 – 2:00 pm Generate new writing, meet other writers, improve your skills, and learn new techniques! Taught by Heidi Hermanson, published author and recipient of the 2021 Nebraska Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship.
April 6, 2024 Book Release Celebration: Timothy Schaffert with “The Titanic Survivors Book Club” Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St. Lincoln, NE, 4:30 – 6:00 pm Author Timothy Schaffert discusses seeking out the books that were on board the Titanic, and other bookish obsessions, with Pat Leach, former director of Lincoln City Libraries and host of the radio show and podcast “All About Books.”
April 7, 2024 A Visit with Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature Center, 427 Main St. Brownville, NE, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Matt will read poems with the theme of “In the Woods: Poems about Trees and Nature”.
April 8, 2024 Meet the Author: Tosca Lee Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N Broad St. Fremont, NE, 7:00 pm Tosca Lee will talk about books, writing, and the stories behind the stories. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
April 9, 2024 Charlie Peck Book Launch Reading: “World’s Largest Ball of Paint” Bookworm Bookstore, 2501 S 90th St. Omaha, NE, 6:00 pm Nebraska poet Charlie Peck will read from and sign his debut poetry collection, “World’s Largest Ball of Paint”. Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason, will join Peck to read and sign his work.
April 9, 2024 On Writing with Amy Haddad Benson Theatre, 6054 Maple St. Omaha, NE, 6:00 pm Join us in the lobby, alongside our partner The Book Nook, and participate in an engaging live reading from Nebraska poet Amy Haddad. Peruse the curated offerings from the Book Nook, have a drink, and stay for the Q and A.
April 13, 2024 Writing Workshop & Reading with Matt Mason Espressions: Coffee & Community, 1117 M St. Aurora, NE, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Writing Workshop; 2:30 – 3:30 PM, Poetry Reading Matt will lead a writing workshop for those who register in advance, and then afterwards will do a free reading from five of his books at the front of the coffee shop.
April 16th & 18th, 2024 All Writes Reserved – Semifinals Benson Theatre, 6054 Maple St. Omaha, NE, 5:30 & 7:30 pm All Writes Reserved is an annual youth spoken word festival and competition featuring schools from all over Nebraska and the Great Plains.
April 18, 2024 Writers’ Workshop with Matt Mason Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Ave, Platte Room Kearney, NE, 12:00 – 2:00 pm Celebrate National Poetry Month with this writing workshop led by Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason. Matt will inspire you to experience, love, and write poetry.
April 18, 2024 Poetry Reading by Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Ave, Platte Room Kearney, NE, 7:00 pm Enjoy an evening of poetry with Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason. He will read favorites from his books and more.
April 30th All Writes Reserved – Finals Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St. Omaha, NE, 7:00 pm All Writes Reserved is an annual youth spoken word festival and competition featuring schools from all over Nebraska and the Great Plains.
Check out the NCB Calendar to stay up to date on upcoming literary events happening near you!
*The time, date, and location of these events are subject to change. Some of this month’s events, workshops, or conferences may require registration or charge a fee.
Feel free to contact us if you have an event that you would like to be featured.
