“Wonder,” by R.J. Palacio, a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, has been chosen by the children of Hawaii as the winner of the 2015 Nene Award.
“Wonder,” by R.J. Palacio, a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, has been chosen by the children of Hawaii as the winner of the 2015 Nene Award.
The announcement was made April 9 by special guest Darth Vader (Justin Cruz) of the Pacific Outpost of the 501st Legion accompanied by Storm Troopers and other “Star Wars” characters at the 51st annual Nene Award presentation ceremony at Sacred Hearts Academy Auditorium in Honolulu.
More than 400 invited dignitaries, students, teachers and other guests attended the ceremony.
The Nene Honor Book Award (runner-up) is “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate.
The annual Nene Award is presented to the favorite fiction book based on a vote by the children of Hawaii in grades 4-6. This year, a total of 5,497 students from 66 public libraries and private and public schools statewide voted.
“Wonder” is the story of 10-year-old Auggie, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive. Auggie is home-schooled until he enters fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, where he endures the taunting and fear of his classmates and struggles to be seen as just another student.
Student contest winners of digital works, essays, creative writing and posters celebrating “The Strange Case of Origami Yoda” (2014 Nene Award winner) by Tom Angleberger, were honored at the ceremony.
Perma-Bound Books will donate a copy of the 2015 award-winning titles to each participating public library and school.