Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed April 19-25, 2026 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 Gabe Sowards of Tri-County Public Schools, who wrote to Evan Griffith about their book, Manatee Summer.
- Runner-up is Emry Griesen of Lincoln’s Prescott Elementary, who wrote to Graeme Base about their book, The Eleventh Hour.
Level II (Grades 7-8):
- Winner is Charlie Chance of Lincoln’s Scott Middle School who wrote to Gayle Forman about their book, I Have Lost My Way.
- Runner-up is Harper Hoshaw of Omaha’s Lewis and Clark Middle School who wrote to Rainbow Rowell about their book, Carry On.
Level III (Grades 9-12):
- Winner is Oliver Goddette of Wahoo Public High School, who wrote to Langston Hughes about their poem, Kids Who Die.
- Runner-up is Eva Bordovsky of Wahoo Public High School, who wrote to Nicholas Sparks about their book The Notebook.