The Nene Award
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2025 Novel and Graphic Novel Winners
Purpose of the Award
Purpose of the Award
To help children of Hawai‘i:
become acquainted with the best contemporary writers of fiction for children.
recognize the qualities that make a good book.
honor an author whose book has been enjoyed by the children of Hawai‘i.
Eligibility Requirements for Nēnē Nominees
Eligibility Requirements for Nēnē Nominees
Any favorite, well-written chapter book following the below eligibility guidelines may be nominated.
The book must be a work of fiction suitable for grades 4-6.
The book must have been written by a living author who has not won the Nene Award in the last five (5) years.
The book must have been published within the last five (5) years
The book must not have been on a previous nomination list (with the exception of the top vote-getting titles carried over from the previous year).
The book must be the first in the series or be able to be read as a stand-alone.
More detailed nomination guidelines can be found in the Nominee Guidelines document.
NeneNomsPoster2026.pdfNeneNomsBklist2026.pdfNominate your 2026 Nene Award Selection HERE
Suggest a Title
Suggest a Title
How Do Books Become Nominees?
The Nēnē Award selection committee puts together a recommended reading list each year. Titles are selected from top vote-getters from the previous award cycle, as well as write-in recommendations by Hawai‘i students, teachers, and librarians.
Eligibility Requirements for Nēnē Nominees
Any favorite, well-written chapter book following the below eligibility guidelines may be nominated.
The book must be a work of fiction suitable for grades 4-6.
The book must have been written by a living author who has not won the Nene Award in the last six years.
The book must have been published within the last 5 years
The book must not have been on a previous nomination list (with the exception of the top vote-getting titles carried over from the previous year).
The book must be the first in the series or be able to be read as a stand-alone.
More detailed nomination guidelines can be found in the Nominee Guidelines document.
GOSLING AWARD
Introduce young children to some of today’s best picture book authors and illustrators.
Help children recognize what makes a picture book engaging, meaningful, and well-crafted.
Give children the chance to celebrate and honor the author and illustrator of the book they enjoyed the most.
The Gosling Award is a Hawai'i children's choice book award for students in grades K–3. Each year, a committee of librarians selects 12 outstanding picture books to be nominated for the award. Children are encouraged to read or listen to the nominated books and vote for their favorite in the spring.
This award celebrates reading, honors great books for young children, and gives Hawai‘i’s youngest readers a voice in recognizing books that they enjoy.
Introduce young children to some of today’s best picture book authors and illustrators.
Help children recognize what makes a picture book engaging, meaningful, and well-crafted.
Give children the chance to celebrate and honor the author and illustrator of the book they enjoyed the most.
2026 Gosling Award Printable.pdfANUENUE Book Award
The Ānuenue Hawaiʻi Keiki Book Award advocates for books created for and about our Hawaiʻi keiki so that they can see themselves in literature and imagine their own creative futures.
We are a hui of librarians striving to encourage Hawaiʻi book creators now and in the future so that Hawaiʻi's keiki have books in which they can see themselves, each other, and their places.
We believe that books can promote a sense of belonging and empower readers!
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