AISLE Bluestem Award

Looking to get more involved in Bluestem? We have new openings in Publicity! Consider joining us as either a Publicity Co-Chair or committee volunteer. If interested, the forms for Co-Chair (buff.ly/qOnfA2Q) and Volunteer (buff.ly/Fv2bfgu) are live! 🌟

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Maryann Cocca-Leffler" Two yellow bubbles read "Tuesday, December 9 at 10am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Maryann Cocca-Leffler (a woman with brown shoulder length hair wearing a dark top and seashell necklace) and the cover of Fighting for Yes! (groups of people of all races and abilities holding protest signs with a white woman in a wheelchair at the center).

We've got one more December chat up our sleeves! If you're interested in having your class chat with Maryann Cocca-Leffler, author of Fighting for Yes!, please enter for a chance by 12p on 12/2! buff.ly/dhvnU53

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Erin Frankel" Two yellow bubbles read "Thursday, December 4 at 12pm CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Erin Frankel (a white woman with curly brown hair wearing white) and the cover of A Plate of Hope (illustration of a man in a yellow vest and baseball hat holding out a plate of paella with tents and palm trees in the background).

Another chat?! Our December is simply PACKED with great author chats! If you'd like to give your class a chance to chat with Erin Frankel, author of A Plate of Hope, make sure to enter by 12p on 11/26! buff.ly/uANVxhA

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Authors Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter!" Two yellow bubbles read "Wednesday, December 3rd at 11am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Megan Wagner Lloyd (black and white photo of a woman with a dark ponytail), Michelle Mee Nutter (side profile of a woman with dark hair wearing a yellow beanie and a camo jacket) and the cover of Squished (blue cover with a family that has a mom, dad, 7 kids, a dog, and a cat).

We can't believe it's already the middle of November! If you haven't had a chance to join us for an author visit, you still have a chance! Enter for a chance to have your class chat with Megan Wagner Lloyd + Michelle Mee Nutter by 12p on 11/25! buff.ly/kLuvGBH

PICTURE BOOK MONTH: INDIGENOUS HERITAGE [book cover] Raven's Ribbons [book cover] Moon Song [book cover] The Trickster Shadow

This week's Picture Book Month theme is Indigenous Heritage! From the joy of the ribbon skirt to the beauty of a winter night and the strength of your own heart's rhythm, these picture books are gorgeous celebrations of Indigenous and First Nations voices and cultures.

Did you know that every sea otter in my novel ODDER was inspired by a real story from the otter surrogacy program at @montereybayaquarium.org? 🦦💙

Odder herself is a composite—I needed bits and pieces of a couple backstories. But each part of her story is very much real. @mackidsbooks.bsky.social

Join me @mrschureads.bsky.social for a free @bookelicious.bsky.social event where we’ll share our favorite reads of 2025!

📅 Tuesday, December 2nd
🕢 7:30 p.m. ET
💻 Register at Bookelicious.com to attend live and get access to the recording

Hope to see you there!

#TLSky #TLSkyChat #EduSky #kidlit

Congratulations to this year’s winning Exemplary School Libraries. #AISLEd

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Kari Lavelle" Two yellow bubbles read "Monday, October 10th at 1pm CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Kari Lavelle (a white woman with brown shoulder length hair wearing a navy dress) and the cover of Butt or Face? (green cover with a zebra butt that has 2 googly eyes on either side of the tail, resembling a face).

Join us to learn: is it a butt or is it a face with Kari Lavelle, author of Butt or Face? If you'd like the opportunity for your class to participate, enter for a chance by 12pm CT on 11/3! buff.ly/fNcdl3i #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Offside

Cover Reveal: Offside by @christinadg.bsky.social and Mari Costa mrschureads.blogspot.com/2025/10/offs...

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem author Lisa Yee!" Two yellow bubbles read "Wednesday, November 5th at 11am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Lisa Yee (a Chinese woman with short brown hair wearing a purple shirt and beaded necklace) and the cover of The Misfits (blue cover with 5 kids standing in a lineup).

We'll be kicking off November with Lisa Yee, author of The Misfits! If you'd like a chance for your class to participate, enter by 12pm CT on 10/29. buff.ly/QXxW3Jj #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Illustrator Wallace West!" Two yellow bubbles read "Thursday, October 23 at 10am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Wallace West (a white man wearing a white shirt, blue scarf, baseball hat, and dark-framed glasses) and the cover of Dogtown (blue cover with a brown dog and a robot dog snuggling).

Our October is simply full of author visits! For our final chat of the month, we'll be chatting with Dogtown illustrator Wallace West! If you'd like a chance for your class to participate, enter by 12p CT on 10/16. buff.ly/vURrKha #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Julie Buxbaum!" Two yellow bubbles read "Thursday, October 16 at 12pm CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Julie Buxbaum (white woman with shoulder length brown hair wearing a blue shirt) and the cover of The Area 51 Files (blue cover with a red vehicle being operated by two tweens who are surrounded by extraterrestrial characters).

Next we have an out-of-this-world author visit with Julie Buxbaum, author of The Area 51 Files! If you're interested enter your class by 12p CT on 10/9 for the chance to participate! buff.ly/AmwNygk #BluestemAward #BlueReads

🎶 Take a look, it's in a book 🎶

🥹 After nearly 20 years... Reading Rainbow is returning to motivate, help, and encourage kids to become avid readers with new episodes, new friends, new projects, and of course... new books! Make sure to follow the rainbow 📚🌈

#FollowTheRainbow

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko!" Two yellow bubbles read "Thursday, October 9 at 10am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Katherine Applegate (white woman with light light hair wearing a white shirt and a denim jacket), Gennifer Choldenko (white woman with dark hair wearing a white shirt), and the cover of Dogtown (blue cover with a brown dog and a robot dog snuggling).

Next up is an author duo: Katherine Applegate @kaaauthor.bsky.social + Gennifer Choldenko @choldenko.bsky.social chatting about their book, Dogtown! Enter by 12p CT on 10/2 for a chance to join us on this doubly exciting live chat! buff.ly/59VNIC6 #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Emma Steinkellner!" Two yellow bubbles read "Wednesday, October 8 at 11am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Emma Steinkellner (white adult woman with short dark brown hair wearing a striped shirt) and the cover of Nell of Gumbling (mustard cover with 3 characters; a fairy in a purple sweater and pink skirt, a human presenting character with a striped shirt and brown pants, and a horse human hybrid wearing a red tanktop).

Our live chats just keep coming! Next up is Emma Steinkellner and her graphic novel, Nell of Gumbling! If you're interested, enter by 12p CT on 10/1 for the opportunity to participate. buff.ly/bvlHPxG #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Meggie Ramm!" Two yellow bubbles read "Friday, October 3 at 10am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Meggie Ramm (white adult wearing a pink sweater, black scarf, and a tortoiseshell cat across shoulders with short blond hair and purple glasses) and the cover of Batcat (teal cover with a pink bat cat hybrid on the cover).

Our first live chat of the year is quickly approaching! Enter your class for the opportunity to chat with cartoonist Meggie Ramm @meggietheramm.bsky.social about their graphic novel Batcat! Enter by 12p CT on 9/26 for the opportunity to be selected! buff.ly/TXjfc0I #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Shows a schedule of author/illustrator visits as follows: -Meggie Ramm on 10/3 at 10am -Emma Steinkellner on 10/8 at 11am -Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko on 10/9 at 10am -Julie Buxbaum on 10/26 at 12pm -Wallace West on 10/23 at 10am -Lisa Yee on 11/5 at 11am -Kari Lavelle on 11/10 at 1pm -Megan Wagner Lloyd & Michelle Mee Nutter on 12/2 at 11am -Erin Frankel on 12/4 at 12pm -Maryann Cocca-Leffler on 12/9 at 10am -Meg Eden Kuyatt on 1/7 at 9am Please note that all visits are held in Central Time on Zoom.

Illinois teachers and librarians, it's time! Entry forms for live chats with our 2026 authors + illustrators are live! You can find all entry forms via the AISLE calendar or this link buff.ly/pB2I7Pc! #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Selah is BACK! So excited for you to get to hang out with Selah at writer's camp next summer, and even getting to see a new side to Ezra from Pebblecreek... :)

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover with a blue water like the bottom of a pool. There's a young girl in a blue and yellow swimsuit pulling blue swim goggles on. The title of the book is Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas.

Our last intro for this year's list is Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas! When Bree is forced to take Swim 101 after moving to a new school in Florida, she's forced to face her fears and learns important history about racism and swimming. Perfect for fans of graphics like New Kid or We Are Big Time. 🌊

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a blue book cover. It depicts a family with a mom in a purple sweater holding a baby, a dad in a white shirt with a child on his shoulders, a young girl in pink with a violin, a young girl in a green shirt and orange pants, a girl in a yellow shirt and green pants holding a notebook, a young child holding a stuffed animal, a teen boy in jeans, a dog, and a cat. The title of the book is Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter.

For readers who loved Allergic on the 2024 list will be thrilled to see Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter's next graphic novel, Squished, on this year's list! Perfect for anyone who has ever struggled with having a big family, a big move, or just change in general. 📦

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover depicting a tower in the forest. Inside of the tower is a girl wearing a long blue hijab that blows in the wind in front of the tower. The title of the book is Rumaysa: A Fairytale by Radiya Hafiza, illustrated by Rhaida El Touny.

Perfect for fans of Never After or The Princess Protection Program, our next book is Rumaysa: A Fairytale by @radiyahafiza, illustrated by Rhaida Touny. Creating a long hijab to escape her tower, Rumaysa goes on adventures, encountering other fairytale retellings along the way. 🐉

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover with an outdoor scene. There are three blue tents with people serving food and a helicopter flying above. A man with a white beard, wearing a blue shirt, yellow vest, and black baseball hat holds out a plate of food. The title of the book is A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paola Escobar.

Our last nonfiction title, A Plate of Hope by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paola Escobar tells the true story of José Andrés and World Central Kitchen. A great read for fans of picture book biographies or those looking to discuss ongoing humanitarian efforts around the world. 🍽️

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a yellow book cover. It depicts 3 characters on the cover. A young girl in brown overalls and a red and green striped shirt with a crown braid and a yellow book, a fairy with a pink skirt, purple cardigan, white shirt, and blue sneakers, and a centaur wearing a red tank top. The title of the book is Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life by Emma Steinkellner.

Need a new magical adventure graphic novel? Look no further than our next title, Nell of Gumbling by Emma Steinkellner! Nell and friends are dealing with regular drama when assigned to their apprenticeships in magical Gumbling, but strange new visitors create panic around town. ✨

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a yellow book cover with a light blue, upside down piggy bank. Silver and gold coins are pouring out of it and piling below. The title of the book is Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty.

Could you spend $5,000,000 in a month? Our next book is @stacymcanulty.bsky.social 's Millionaires for the Month! Felix and Benji find a wallet belonging to a billionaire and are challenged to spend $5,000,000 in 30 days. Perfect for fans of The Great Greene Heist or No Purchase Necessary. 💲

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a blue book cover. It depicts a police line-up of 5 kids and a cat. From left to right it shows a kid a dark blue jacket and cargo pants wearing red sneakers, a shaggy-haired kid in a jeans and a red button down over a t-shirt, a dark haired girl in camo pants, a leather jacket, and combat boots, a shorter kid in red pants, a sweater vest, and bowtie, an orange cat, and a girl in shorts, black leggings, a green bomber jacket, and a white hijab. The title of the book is The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat.

Join up with a rag tag team to fight crime and solve a mystery in our next book! The Misfits by @lisayee.bsky.social , illustrated by @dansantat.bsky.social features exciting adventure and just the right amount of humor. Perfect for fans of Spy School or City Spies looking for their next read!

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover depicting a little library. There's a fluffy orange cat and 2 mice on top of the library. The bottom library shelf shows a young boy in an orange shirt and green shorts holding a book. He stands in front of a ghost house. The book is The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass.

As you might have guessed, we're pretty big library fans here at Bluestem. But that's only part of why we picked our next book, The Lost Library by @rebstead.bsky.social and @wenmass.bsky.social . It also features a delightful cat named Mortimer, ghosts, and a mystery! #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover depicting an outdoor scene. Two students in red uniforms are running towards the reader, while other students fight in the background. Two birds swoop above and a large black cat-like creature roars. The title of this book is Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Kevin Hong.

With it's short chapters and engaging world-building, our next nominee is a must read for young readers looking to get into fantasy! The Guardian Test by @soontornvat.bsky.social , ill. by Kevin Hong is the first book in the Legends of Lotus Island series. ✨ #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a purple book cover depicting a tween girl with auburn hair. She's wearing grey jeans and a pink and white striped shirt while holding a red book to her chest. Behind her are wings made up of words and doodles. The title of the book is Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt. The cover pictures also features the Schneider Family Book Award Honor seal.

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month and National Poetry Month, we'd love to recommend the next book on our 2026 list! Good Different by @medenkuyatt.bsky.social is a moving novel in verse that follows Selah, a neurodivergent tween struggling to understand why she feels so different. #BluestemAward

A light blue background that has doodles and bubbles that read: Remember! Readers' Choice Grant Applications are due by Wednesday 04/30! Get your school's app in now for a chance to win a set of award books!

Reminder that this coming Wednesday 4/30 is the due date for Readers' Choice Grant Applications! Any Illinois library registered for the Monarch, Bluestem, Caudill, or Lincoln program is eligible to enter to win an unprocessed set of award books. lbssfund.org/readers-choi...