AUGUSTA – This year’s votes have been counted and Jerry Spinelli’s “Loser” has been declared the favorite by Maine students in grades four through eight.

The voting was close. Also among the top five were “Double Fudge” by Judy Blume, “The Thief Lord” by Cornelia Funke, “Ruby Holler” by Sharon Creech and “Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen, each receiving more than 300 votes. Students voted for their favorite from 42 books on the Maine Student Book Award list. Each received at least four votes.

More than 3,610 students voted in 122 school classrooms/libraries and six public libraries.

The Maine Student Book Award is a joint project of the Maine Association of School Libraries, the Maine Library Association and the Maine Reading Association. The annual award aims to expand the literary horizons of Maine’s fourth- through eighth-graders by encouraging them to read, evaluate and enjoy a selection of fiction and nonfiction.

More information about the the award, a list of winners and the annotated list for 2004 is available at the Web site at www.windham.lib.me.us/msba.htm.