For 44 years, “Read 5: Then Decide” gives elementary school students the authority to vote
By Michele Chan Santos
Texas Center Coordinator
The Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the United States and one of the only awards that the awarded book has been selected by a child.
Each year, 20 books are selected on the Texas Bluebonnet Award list. Schools and libraries across the state are participating in the program and encourage students to read at least five books from their list. For example, over 63,000 students voted last year, all from third to sixth grade. More than 1,100 schools, public libraries and homeschool groups participated. The TBA program is run by the Texas Library Association. Winning authors (and illustrators, if picture book is selected) are recognized each spring at the Texas Library Association’s annual conference.
What makes TBA special and why did it survive and flourish for decades? We spoke with Terri Harkey, coordinator of the TBA program.
The history of TBA
In the late 1970s, Dr. Janelle Paris, a professor in the department of library science at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, and Pat Wright, a librarian at Cypress Fairbanks ISD in Houston, began efforts to create a state award for children’s literature. And then TBA was born. The first TBA winners were Ramona and her father by Beverly Cleary in 1981 (here is a complete set of winning titles, including books by Judy Bloom, Kate DiCamilo and many other great writers. There is a list).
How has the TBA program been successful and able to remain relevant over the years?
“The different genres we are trying to incorporate into each list helped it stay meaningful. It’s not just picture books, chapter books, but graphic novels. It’s all different kinds and encourages children to read. We include many genres and then the quality of the book is always high.”
For example, for the 2025-2026 list, the TBA committee of librarians has evaluated over 1,000 books. “We really choose books that kids feel like they love and enjoy reading,” Harkey said.
The second key to TBA’s long success, she said, was student involvement.
Every year at the Texas Book Festival, students present their list of books. The state students then vote for their favorite books. The winners will be announced in February, and in April, student presenters from the TLA Conference will be awarded to the winners.
As a school librarian, you have to find a way to create a reading culture. Because as a librarian, it is your responsibility to me, and to me.
Texas Bluebonnet Awards Coordinator Terry Harkey
How TBA benefits students and schools
Harkey is a retired librarian and educational technology educator who worked in Texas schools for over 25 years. By participating in the TBA, she saw firsthand how she built a reading culture in the school where she was a major librarian.
Every fall, the next grade TBA list is released (for example, the 2025-2026 list was released in November 2024). This will allow the school to vote before the January deadline to vote. Students can read for more than a year. Their favorite.
“As a school librarian, you have to find a way to create a reading culture because as a librarian, it’s your responsibility to me,” Harkey said. “Whether you’re using BlueBonnet lists or any of the other TLA lists, you’re reading the same book and creating a community.”
At her school, Harkey created the “Bluebonnet Superstar List.” This is a list posted on the library door to name all students who have read at least five books from the list. (The TBA program’s slogan is “Read 5: So I’ll decide.” There are 20 books on the list, but students must read five so that they can vote.) Students can read books. He was very enthusiastic to do so. She said.
Texas schools are holding bluebonnet voting parties. There, people from third to sixth grades vote at the school library. For many elementary schools, Bluebonnet parties are the highlight of the grade. They often feature blue snacks (frost cookies, blueberry muffins, blue gatorades) and games and activities that are often themed to match the books on the list.
“What I did last year has allowed 147 kids to come to the TBA voting party,” Harkey said.
How to participate
If you want to join a TBA in a school or public library but are not familiar with the program, it’s a good place to start a TBA website packed with resources for each title on the list, Harkey said. Resources include reader theatres, book trailers, author interviews, discussion questions, and more.
For librarians attending the TLA Annual Meeting, tickets will be awarded to TBA author sessions (the luncheon party will cost $59 for members and $69 for non-members), speeding up BlueBonnets. The list for the next year will meet with the librarians and discuss their books.
Sign up for vote
TBA has an education page with instructions on how to tally, enter and submit student votes. Each school will charge a $20 fee to participate. For more information, please see the FAQ page.
If you have additional questions, Harkey encourages you to contact your local TBA committee member, TLA, or your local librarian who previously participated in the program.
Change the author’s life
Another benefit of the TBA program is the recognition it brings to the authors. For debut authors with books on lists, it is a launch pad to gain greater recognition in the publishing world and a way to connect with thousands of young readers.
When Susan Stevens Crummel won the TBA Award in 2010, Mutt! An expert answer to a problematic dog (written as Janet Stevens) “It turned her from a math teacher to a full-time writer visiting school,” Harkey said. “It changed her life.” (Help me, Mr Mutt! is a humorous picture book about dog advice columnists. A fun read for dog lovers of all ages.)
In 2024, author and illustrator Charlie Palmer won the Texas Bluebonnet Award for his book, “Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale.” This beautifully drawn picture book is the fictional story of the Hillside Project basketball team.
In his video accepting the award, Palmer stated: I didn’t imagine winning this. I saw myself as an illustrator, not a writer. Writing it like children were inspired and chose it for the Bluebonnet Award is beyond my imagination. ”
