Maine Student Book Award Winner 2014!

After an exciting year of reading and sharing opinions on the MSBA 2013-14 titles, the winning title has been announced!

Not all state lists include graphic novels, but here in Maine we think graphic novels rank right up there with some of the other  amazing children's literature being written.  Because of this, for the past two years a graphic novel has won the Maine Student Book Award (Smile and then Lost Trail), which didn't make some people happy...and not just adults, some kids were irked by this.  Which makes this list all the more cool, people care about what's on it.

This year was the first year that there were 3 graphic novels on the list, making it seem like we could have gone for a straight three year run with winning titles being graphic novels.  You see, students in grades 4-8 across the state are encouraged by teachers and librarians to read the books on the list (about 40 titles are there), but kids only need to read three to be eligible to vote for their favorite in the spring.

Well, I was one of those people that thought a graphic novel was going to nab the big prize.  I know my fourth graders favored Cardboard. 

The winner is:

Congratulations R. J. Palacio!!  We will be in touch with you to send a beautiful slate award!

Second place goes to:

Cardboard by Doug TenNapel!

Third place:

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate!

Want to see what other titles were on the 2013-14 list?  Click here.

And to see the new 2014-15 list click here.

Happy reading!