Texas Bluebonnet Award
Texas Bluebonnet Award references 61 books assigned across applicable K-12 grade levels in US schools.
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The Texas Bluebonnet Award is a statewide reading program of the Texas Library Association in which students in grades 3-6 read from an annual master list of 20 nominated books and vote for their favorite. The list is refreshed each year, so the titles are Texas-specific and current.
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20 books on the 2025-26 master list
A Game of NoctisDeva Fagan
A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central KitchenErin Frankel
DogtownKatherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko
Doña Quixote: Rise of the KnightRey Terciero
Ernö Rubik and His Magic CubeKerry Aradhya
Haiku, Ew! Celebrating the Disgusting Side of NatureLynn Brunelle
Hannah Sharpe, Cartoon DetectiveJanet Tashjian
Invisible IsabelSally J. Pla
It Came from the TreesAlly Russell
Legendarios: Wrath of the Rain GodKarla Arenas Valenti
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It AllChanel Miller
NimbusJan Eldredge
Pedro's Yo-Yos: How a Filipino Immigrant Came to America and Changed the World of ToysRob Peñas
Scare School Diaries: Welcome to Scare SchoolJarrett Lerner
Stuntboy, In-Between TimeJason Reynolds
Tales from Cabin 23: The Boo Hag FlexJustina Ireland
The Girl Who Figured It OutMinda Dentler
The Liars SocietyAlyson Gerber
The Lumbering Giants of Windy PinesMo Netz
VolcanoesNell Cross Beckerman
Past Texas Bluebonnet winners (41)
The book Texas students voted their favorite each year, from the Texas Library Association's list of past winners. Each card shows the year it won.
A Dog Called KittyWallace, BillWinner 1983
Aliens for BreakfastJonathan EtraWinner 1991
Because of Winn-DixieKate DiCamillo · 610LWinner 2002
Christina's GhostBetty Ren WrightWinner 1988
Cook-A-Doodle-Doo!Janet StevensWinner 2001
El ChupacabrasAdam RubinWinner 2020
Ghost Fever/Mal de FantasmaJoe HayesWinner 2007
Help Me, Mr. Mutt!Susan Stevens CrummelWinner 2010
If I Built a SchoolChris Van DusenWinner 2021
Math CurseJon ScieszkaWinner 1997
Memoirs of a TortoiseDevin ScillianWinner 2023
Nothing's Fair in Fifth GradeBarthe DeClementsWinner 1984
One Potato, Two PotatoCynthia DeFeliceWinner 2009
Postcards from CampSimms TabackWinner 2013
Ramona and Her FatherBeverly ClearyWinner 1981
Roller GirlVictoria Jamieson · 440LWinner 2017
Seadogs: An Epic Ocean OperettaLisa WheelerWinner 2006
ShilohPhyllis Reynolds Naylor · 890LWinner 1994
SkinnybonesBarbara ParkWinner 1985
Snot StewBill WallaceWinner 1992
SuperfudgeJudy BlumeWinner 1982- Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want to Survive the School BusJohn GranditsTen Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want to Survive the School BusJohn GranditsWinner 2014
The Day the Crayons QuitDrew DaywaltWinner 2015- The Dollhouse MurdersBetty Ren WrightThe Dollhouse MurdersBetty Ren WrightWinner 1986
Show all 41 titles
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- The Ghost of Fossil Glen · Cynthia C. DeFelice · Winner 2000
- The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic Ring · Ruth Sanderson · Winner 2003
- The Hot and Cold Summer · Johanna Hurwitz · Winner 1987
- The Houdini Box · Brian Selznick · Winner 1993
- The Last Kids on Earth · Max Brallier · Winner 2018
- The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale · Charly Palmer · Winner 2024
- The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read · Rita Lorraine Hubbard · Winner 2022
- The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales · Jon Scieszka · Winner 1995
- The Strange Case of Origami Yoda · Tom Angleberger · Winner 2012
- The Uglified Ducky · Willy Claflin · Winner 2011
- There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom · Louis Sachar · Winner 1990
- Time for Andrew · Mary Downing Hahn · Winner 1996
- Togo · Robert J. Blake · Winner 2005
- Tornado · Betsy Cromer Byars · Winner 1998
- Verdi · Janell Cannon · Winner 1999
- Wait Till Helen Comes · Mary Downing Hahn · Winner 1989
- When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop · Laban Carrick Hill · Winner 2016
About this curriculum framework
This curriculum is one of dozens of named English Language Arts frameworks tracked across US public-school districts. Frameworks differ in scope (district-level vs state-level vs national), in mandate (required vs recommended vs elective), and in how prescriptive their reading lists are (single fixed text list vs broad reading-pool selection).
The book list below represents titles cited as required, recommended, or commonly assigned within this framework, sourced from the framework's primary documentation (or, where the framework is administered at district level, from public district curriculum pages). Each book's detail page links the specific source document for that citation.
How to use this Texas Bluebonnet Award reading list
The book list above represents titles ReadingList has confirmed as referenced by Texas Bluebonnet Award— either through the framework’s own published documentation, through audited classroom syllabi citing the framework, or through US state and district curriculum guides that map their reading expectations to it. Each book’s detail page links the specific primary source so parents, teachers, and students can verify the citation and locate the official document.
Reading lists evolve. Texas Bluebonnet Award citations on ReadingList are reviewed on a rolling basis as primary sources publish updates. If you teach or learn under this framework and a title on this page is no longer used (or you know of one that should appear), the ReadingList methodology page explains how to submit a correction with a citation.
Related on ReadingList
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Copy + paste this snippet into any school newsletter, classroom blog, library site, or homeschool resource page. The embed shows the top 12 titles and links back to the full list. Updates automatically when ReadingList’s data changes.
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Frequently asked questions
What books does Texas Bluebonnet Award include?
61 books are referenced by Texas Bluebonnet Award across applicable K-12 grade levels. Each book page cites the primary source assignment (the official curriculum standard, exemplar list, or syllabus where the title appears).
What grades does Texas Bluebonnet Award cover?
Texas Bluebonnet Award is a reading-program curriculum spanning applicable K-12 grade levels via the standards framework. Browse by grade using the grade-filter links on this page or visit /grade for the full grade index across all curricula.
Where does Texas Bluebonnet Award data come from?
Sourced from published curriculum documents + standards organizations. Cross-referenced with Common Core exemplars at achievethecore.org. Every book page on ReadingList.school cites the standards origin for that assignment.
Is Texas Bluebonnet Award required reading?
Texas Bluebonnet Award provides recommended exemplars + assignments — adoption varies by district and teacher. Always check with your school's English department for the specific required vs recommended list at your grade level.
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