For 44 years, Read Five: Then Decide has given elementary school students the right to vote.
Michele Chan Santos
Coordinator, Texas Book Center
The Texas Bluebonnet Awards (TBA) is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the United States and one of the only awards whose winning works are selected by children.
Each year, 20 books are selected for the Texas Bluebonnet Award list. Schools and libraries across the state are participating in the program, encouraging students to read at least five of the books on the list. Last year, for example, more than 63,000 students in grades 3 through 6 voted. More than 1,100 schools, public libraries, and homeschool groups participated. The TBA program is administered by the Texas Library Association. The winning authors (and illustrators if their picture books are selected) are recognized each spring at the Texas Library Association Annual Meeting.
What makes TBA special? And why has it survived and thrived over the decades? We spoke to Terry Harkey, TBA Program Coordinator. I did.
undefined history
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, created a state award for children’s literature. We have started our efforts. And TBA was born. The first TBA winner was Ramona and Her Father in 1981 by Beverly Cleary. (Here’s the complete list of winning titles, including books by Judy Blume, Kate DiCamillo, and many other great authors).
How has the TBA program been able to remain successful and relevant over the years?
“I think the variety of genres we try to incorporate into each list helps keep it relevant,” Harkey said. It’s not just a picture book, it’s not just a chapter book, it’s not just a graphic novel. All of these and more are available in a wide variety to encourage children’s reading. We have a wide range of genres and the quality of our books is always high. ”
For example, for the 2025-2026 list, a TBA committee of librarians evaluated more than 1,000 books. “We try to choose books that kids will love and enjoy reading,” Harkey says.
She said the second key to TBA’s long-term success is student engagement.
Each year at the Texas Book Festival, students announce the books that make the list. Students across the state then vote on their favorite books. Winners will be announced in February, and student presenters at the TLA conference will present the awards to the winners in April.
As school librarians, we must find ways to create a culture of reading. Because as a librarian, to me, that’s your responsibility.
Terry Harkey, Texas Bluebonnet Award Coordinator
How TBA benefits students and schools
Harkey is a former librarian and educational technology educator who has worked in Texas schools for more than 25 years. By joining TBA, she saw first-hand how reading cultures were built in the schools where she served as head librarian.
Each fall, the TBA list for the next academic year is released (for example, the 2025-2026 list was released in November 2024). This gives schools and students more than a year to read the books by the January deadline. their favorite.
“As a school librarian, you have to find a way to create a culture of reading, because for me, that’s my responsibility as a librarian,” Harkey said. “Whether you’re using the Bluebonnet list or any other TLA list, you’re creating a community by reading the same books.”
Harkey created a “Bluebonnet Superstar List” at the school and posted the names of every student who read at least five books from the list on the library door. (The TBA program’s slogan is “Read 5 Books, then Decide.” There are 20 books on the list, but students only have to read 5 books to vote.) Students can submit their own books for inclusion. I was very motivated to read books. she said.
Schools across Texas are hosting Bluebonnet Vote Parties, where third- through sixth-graders come to their school libraries to vote. For many elementary schools, the Bluebonnet Party is the highlight of the school year. In addition to blue snacks (frosted cookies, blueberry muffins, blue Gatorade), there are often themed games and activities that go with the books on the list.
“When I did it last year, 147 kids came to the TBA voting party,” Harkey said.
How to participate
If you want your school or public library to participate in TBA, but are new to the program, a good place to start is on the TBA website, which is full of resources for each title on the list, Harkey said. Resources include Reader’s Theater, book trailers, author interviews, discussion questions, and more.
Librarians attending the TLA Annual Conference will be able to attend the TBA Author Session, where awards will be given (luncheon cost $59 for members, $69 for non-members), and Speed Dating the Blue, featuring authors of books about the Bluebonnets. You can buy tickets for Bonnet. Next year’s list will be coming to meet with librarians and discuss books.
How to register to vote
TBA has an instruction page on how to tally, enter, and submit student votes. There is a $20 fee for each school to participate. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
If you have further questions, we encourage you to contact a TBA committee member, your girlfriend, your TLA, or your local librarian who has previously participated in the program.
change the author’s life
Another benefit of the TBA program is that it provides recognition for authors. For debut authors who have a book on the list, it’s a springboard to increasing their visibility in the publishing industry and a way to connect with thousands of young readers.
In 2010, when Susan Stevens Cramer won the TBA Award for Help Me, Mr. Mutt!, Expert’s Answers to Dogs with Human Problems (co-authored with Janet Stevens), , “transformed her from a math teacher to a full-time writer who visits schools,” Harkey said. “It Changed Her Life.” (“Help, Mr. Matt!” is a humorous picture book about a dog advice columnist that is a fun read for dog lovers of all ages. )
In 2024, author and illustrator Charlie Palmer won the Texas Bluebonnet Award for his book The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the fictional story of the Hillside Project basketball team.
“I am truly humbled, surprised and honored to have won this award,” Palmer said in his acceptance video. “I never imagined I would win this. I consider myself an illustrator, not a writer. It’s beyond my imagination to write something that inspires children to choose it for the Bluebonnet Award.”
