"What should I read next?"
The
mission of the Texas Bluebonnet Program is to encourage children
in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 to read for pleasure, explore variety of
current books, develop powers of discrimination, and identify
their favorite books. Each year’s master list is selected with the
belief that the books on it will help children develop a lifelong
love of reading; however, the Bluebonnet Committees do not
advocate that any student be required to read the entire list
because the books speak to different children of different ages,
different interests, and different maturational levels.
There are particular books, though, that do speak deeply to
individual readers, books where the characters spark a moment of
understanding, where the plot moves so quickly that a child just
doesn’t want to stop reading, where a subject opens up an entire
avenue of inquiry, and where the conflict and theme are personally
fulfilling. At that time, librarians, parents, and teachers hear a
welcome, but critical, plea: “What should I read next?”
Members of the two
Bluebonnet Committees have created twenty lists, one for each
master list title,
all offering similarities to this year’s Bluebonnet books, in the
belief that these books may provide opportunities for individual
readers advisory. The lists are wide reaching. You’ll find fiction
titles pairing with nonfiction master list selections, drawing
books connecting to particular titles, and poetry connecting with
nonfiction. Feel free to reproduce these lists, and, at the end of
the year, take a moment to let us know if they have been useful.
You may contact the Bluebonnet Coordinator at
carolynbeth@gmail.com.
