Established in 2008, the Bluestem Book Award is a statewide program from AISLE (Association of Illinois School Library Educators) to encourage students to read. 

“The award is designed for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than found on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for the sophistication of some of the Rebecca Caudill titles. Named in honor of Big Bluestem which is the state prairie grass, the award may include both timeless classics and current titles, as well as books that have appeared on Monarch and Rebecca Caudill lists.” (AISLE)

The list of books curated each year are books that are nominated by school library media specialists, public librarians, teachers, and students. Students then have the opportunity to read the books from the list, and any student who reads four or more of the titles is invited to participate in the voting process to select the overall winner of the Bluestem Book Award. 

Voting will open February 15th and remain open until March 15th across the state of Illinois. 

The students of WCES are invited to vote for the Bluestem Book Award in person when their class visits the library, if they have read 4 or more of the Bluestem books!