The objective of the Texas Bluebonnet Award program is to promote literature of excellence for children and to encourage reading by organizing a statewide contest in which young readers choose their favorite titles.

Suggestions of titles for the committee to consider for inclusion on the master list may be made by students, librarians, parents, teachers, or any other interested person.

Criteria for recommendations:

1. You must have read the book.

2. The reading level should be grades 3-6.

3. Books must have a copyright date within the last three years prior to the release of the list.  For the 2004-05 master list, the copyright dates must be 2001, 2002 or 2003.

4. The book must have been published in the U.S. and must have been written an author who is a U.S. citizen or an author who currently resides in the United States.

5. The work must have been published in the United States and written by an author who is still living.

6. The book must have received a favorable review in a review tool.

7. The book must have literary merit and appeal to young readers.

8. The content of the book must be appropriate.

9. Ineligible categories of materials are textbooks, abridgements, and new editions of existing titles.

Suggestions for inclusion on the Bluebonnet consideration list must by made by August 1 of any calendar year.  Suggested titles should be mailed or emailed to the TBA Coordinator.