Bluebonnet Books

WHAT DO WE DO AT CARAWAY?

At Caraway the minimum expectation is that students in grades 3-5 read 5 current Bluebonnet Books.  

-These books are introduced in the spring and again in the fall. 

-Any way these books enter the students' brains count: reading, listening to audiobooks, listening to someone else read to them, etc.

-A good goal would be reading 10 Bluebonnet books for 3rd, 12 for 4th, and 15 for 5th.

-Students who read 15 or more books by the January deadline can try out for the Caraway Bluebonnet Team 

-Tracking sheets (distributed spring and fall and also below on this page) should be turned in BEFORE January 19, 2024.

-Bluebonnet books are available through MackinVIA, in the Caraway Library, and at public libraries and bookstores across the state.

2023-2024 Texas Bluebonnet Award 

Master List Annotations

Black Boy Joy edited by K. Mbalia 

Black Boy Joy contains seventeen short stories from acclaimed & award winning authors that offer something for everyone. Readers can get lost in science fiction, poetry, and graphics, along with other genres. Wonderful topics include funerals, first dances, baking, and skateboarding. Just like the cover & the title, this book will bring you joy. 

Blue by N. E. Brew-Hammond, illustrated by D. Minter

Blue is more than just a color! Blue explores the historical significance of the color blue from Ancient Egypt to modern times; its cultural impact in fashion and language; and its importance in science and agriculture. Bold illustrations by Daniel Minter complement the vivid text. 

Gladys the Magic Chicken by A.Rubin, illustrated by A. Rex

Hear the legendary tale of the magic chicken, Gladys! She granted wishes to a shepherd boy, a brave swordsman, and a princess! Or did she? Find out if Gladys is truly the stuff of legend in this magical tale by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Adam Rex. 

Haven: A Small Cat's Big Adventure by M. Lloyd

Haven has always lived a safe and comfy life in a small house out in the country with beloved owner, Ma Millie. But when Ma Mille gets sick, Haven must adventure out into the dangerous wilderness to find someone who can help. Can this small house cat find the courage and strength to survive in the wild and make it to town? Will she escape the fierce predator following her? With the help of a wily fox and a few other friends along the way, Haven discovers that even though she is small, she can still accomplish big things.

Indelible Ann by M. P. Browne,  illustrated by C. Whitt – Larger than life, big hair, big personality, big voice and champion of all: a small town girl who became Travis County commissioner, Texas State Treasurer and the 45th Governor of the State of Texas. Bright, beautiful and bold illustrations that depict her story. 

Invisible by C. Gonzalez & G. Epstein

Five students who are sure they have nothing in common are forced together for a school community service project. When they meet someone truly in need they must decide if it’s worth exposing their own secrets to help, or whether they want to stay invisible to survive middle school. A brightly illustrated graphic novel written in both Spanish and English about friendship, community and teamwork. 

Leave It To Plum! By M. Phelan

Young Plum is one of the peacock ambassadors for the Athensville Zoo, a responsibility the kind and curious Plum takes very seriously. When a small mammal with an oversized ego tries to take over the zoo, Plum steps in to save the day. Highly illustrated in black and white and perfect for reluctant readers and animal lovers. 

Once Upon a Tim by S. Gibbs, illustrated by S. Curtis

Tim is a peasant who seeks more than the life his parents have provided. He longs to be successful and journeys through treacherous situations including wicked beasts, angry ogres, and humans who cannot be trusted. This fun-filled adventure demonstrates that you don’t have to be born a prince to be a hero.

Solimar by P. M. Ryan

Solimar loves watching the butterfly migration, and on the brink of her quinceanera, she  crosses her kingdom’s border to get a closer look. There she finds a magical shawl that will help her when she needs it most. Can Solimar find the courage to help when the kingdom is overthrown by a neighboring king and he holds her family hostage? Filled with rich imagery, Pam Munoz Ryan weaves beautiful elements of family, culture and gender equality.

Tales to Keep You Up At Night by D. Poblocki, illustrated by M. Bergeron 

Amelia discovers a long overdue library book while cleaning out her Grandmother's attic after she disappeared. A book she dreamt of her Grandmother holding with the inscription “Do Not Read”. After trying to return the library book only to be told that it wasn’t in the library's collection, Amelia decides to read the book, despite her grandmother's warning. As she reads she begins to notice the stories coming to life around her and that she might have gotten herself into more trouble than she can handle.

The Beatryce Prophecy by K. DiCamillo, illustrated by S. Blackall 

In a time of war, a young girl sick and dirty is discovered by Brother Edik. She is clutching the ear of Answelica, the angry goat, who is more than willing to head butt the Brother. As the girl recovers, her secret is uncovered and thus begins the journey into the prophecy that Brother Edik himself wrote. This fantasy-filled story follows the hero’s journey. 

The Dirt Book: Poems About Animals That Live Beneath Our Feet by D. L. Harrison, illustrated by K. Cosgrove

What is dirt made of? What makes dirt and who lives in dirt? Stuff such as chipped rocks, decaying animals, decaying leaves and sticks, fungi and of course, germs are all in dirt. Fifteen informative and funny poems about dirt will tell you everything about the subject of dirt. 

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by M. Barnett, illustrated by S.Harris

Look up! Something terrible is occurring on the moon! What? Rats are eating the moon! 

Who will save the day? Can one bioengineered cat be the world’s hero and save the moon? Read this lunar adventure to see if Cat, the Moon Princess and a toe-nail clipping robot will be able to save the world!  

The Last Beekeeper by P. Cartaya, illustrated by C. V. Aguilera

Facing a world altered by climate change and those who profit from it, Yoly must prove that she belongs in a world where only the smartest and most useful are welcome. She learns the survival of her and her family rests in her ability to save the last known beehive from extinction.

The Last Mapmaker by  C. Soontornvat

Sai is an assistant to the most celebrated mapmaker and she must play the part of a well bred young lady. However, Sai’s background must be kept secret or the truth could ruin her. She gets the opportunity to chart the famed Southern Seas. When Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands—a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining—she must weigh the cost of her dreams. Vivid, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, this tale is filled with adventure, dreams and following your destiny. 

The Legend of Gravity by C. Palmer

When playing basketball on the blacktop in the projects, everyone needs a playground name. Names like “Liquid”, “SkyHigh,” and “Left2Right.” Enter the awkward new kid with no name who seems to float in the air when he takes the ball to the hoop earning himself the name “Gravity.” Gravity helps take their team all the way to the finals where they face their hardest opponent yet and learn what it means to play as a team.

The Marvellers by D. Clayton

Floating in the sky, safely away from the non magical world, the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors brings together magical practices from around the world, teaching young Marvellers to discover and control their powers. Change is now coming to the institute with the admission of 11-year-old Ella, the first Conjuror to attend the institute. The Marvellian world is skeptical of Conjurors and their particular brand of magic, and Ella’s first year is full of harassment and discrimination. When a notorious convict known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes prison, Conjurors are accused of helping, and when her plot to return to power intersects with Ella’s investigation into a missing teacher, Ella must fight to clear her family’s name—and survive. Full of magic and intrigue, Dhonielle Clayton has written the book she wanted to see herself in as a child.

The Polter-Ghost Problem by B. Uhrig

Aldo Pfefferkuchen, Pen Q. Blaisewell, and Jasper Yi struggle to find interesting things to include in their summer journal’s until a suspiciously pale boy leads them to a dilapidated building that once housed an orphanage. The trio should be terrified, but the ghost children—yes, there’s a group—need help. It’s weird that they appear young since most are the spirits of orphans who had moved away and died at ripe old ages. However, they were recently drawn back and trapped there by a poltergeist. Even stranger, the boys discover that the poltergeist is the toddler ghost of a bitter woman who died at over 100 years of age. Future writer Aldo is the narrator of the story. His wit shines through as he faithfully describes his friends’ personalities and their wildly funny disagreements and dilemmas. It all makes for a laugh-out-loud, high-action read, complete with shrieking and notes in crayon from a frustrated entity trying to communicate about a mystery involving an inheritance and warped family history. 

Thirst by V. Bajaj 

The riveting story of a heroic girl from the poorest part of Mumbai who fights for her belief that water should be for everyone. Minni’s life is filled with chores, school, and trips to the community tap for water.  After an accidental encounter with the water mafia, she must decide whether to fight and risk losing it all, or look the other way. 

Unbound: The Life + Art of Judith Scott by J. Scott with B. Spangler, illustrated by M. Sweet

The author shares the life of her twin sister, Judith Scott, who was born with Down’ Syndrome and profound deafness.  She describes their close, early childhood relationship until her sister is placed in a “special school” (1950s) leaving a hole in the fabric of Joyce’s life.  After being allowed to visit her sister in the institution, Joyce vows one day to be reunited with Judy and to remove her from that “horrible gray place.” Judy finally comes to live with Joyce in 1985.  Art classes offered by the Creative Growth Art Center are just what Judy needs to blossom as an artist whose medium is fiber materials and found objects. This riveting and, at times, heart-wrenching telling of their lives is a story of grit and determination to overcome adversity demonstrating the power of art to make the connections people need.