Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed April 6-12, 2025 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 Justin Kang-Shizuka of Lincoln’s Prescott Elementary, who wrote to Ellen Oh about their book, Finding Junie Kim.
- Runner-up is Imogen Meiklejohn of Lincoln’s Prescott Elementary, who wrote to Kimberly Brubaker Bradley about their book, Fighting Words.
Level II (Grades 7-8):
- Winner is Ethan Hurlburt of Lincoln’s Irving Middle School who wrote to Sudhir Venkatesh about their book, Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets.
- Runner-up is Taryn Kumm of Lincoln’s Lutheran Middle and High School who wrote to Veronica Roth about their book, Divergent.
Level III (Grades 9-12):
- Winner is Jacie Brabec of Wahoo Public High School, who wrote to Ana Huang about their book, Twisted Lies.
- Runner-up is Ella Walsh of Wahoo Public High School, who wrote to Ruta Sepetys about their book Ashes in the Snow.