2013 Illinois Bluestem Award

The 2013 Bluestem Award Illinois’ Grades 3-5 Readers’

Choice Award Sponsored by the Illinois School Library

Media Association

Naomi MellendorfLibrary Information SpecialistRobert Crown Elementary School

Wauconda, Illinois

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by "rookie teacher" Mr. Terupt.

Naomi Mellendorf, District #118, December 2012

Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything In It

by Sundee T. Frazier Brendan Buckley, a biracial ten-year-old, applies his scientific problem-solving ability and newfound interest in rocks and minerals to connect with his white grandfather, the president of Puyallup Rock Club, and to learn why he and Brendan's mother are estranged.


Captain Nobodyby Dean Pitchford

When Newton dresses up as an unusual superhero for Halloween, he decides to keep wearing the costume after the holiday to help save townspeople and eventually his injured brother.


The Day-Glo Brothers: the True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and

Brand-New colors by Chris Barton Illustrations and easy-to-follow

text describe how brothers Bob and Joe Switzer invented fluorescent paint and colors; and explains how fluorescence works.


The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew

Jacobson

Three young wizards-in-training are kidnapped by an evil queen and their familiars--Aldwyn the alley cat, Skylar, a know-it-all blue jay, and Gilbert a tree frog who can see the future--set out on a dangerous journey to rescue the boys.


Guyku: a Year of Haiku for Boys

By Bob Raczka

A collection of haiku poetry for boys that features poems about tree-climbing, kite-flying, and other related topics.


Honus & Me by Dan Gutman

Joey, who loves baseball but is not very good at it, finds a valuable 1909 Honus Wagner card and travels back in time to meet Honus.


How Tia Lola Came to Stay by Julia Alvarez

Although Miguel is at first embarrassed by his colorful aunt, Tia Lola, when she comes to Vermont from the Dominican Republic to stay with his mother, his sister, and him after his parents' divorce, he learns to love her.


Love that Dog by Sharon Creech

A young student, who comes to love poetry through a personal understanding of what different famous poems mean to him, surprises himself by writing his own inspired poem.


The Miraculous Journey of Edward

Tulaneby Kate DiCamillo

Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories.


Mirror Mirrorby Marilyn Singer

A collection of short poems which, when reversed, provide new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature.


Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory and can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow.

Out of My Mindby Sharon M. Draper


The Name of this Book is Secret

by Pseudonymous Bosch Cassandra and Max find a

missing magician's notebook and start to investigate the fire which burnt down his house and his mysterious "symphony of smells."


Redwoods by Jason Chin

While reading a book about redwood trees on the subway, a young boy travels as he learns, all the way to the forests of California.


Ruth and the Green Book

by Calvin A. Ramsey When Ruth and her parents take a motor trip from Chicago to Alabama to visit her grandma, they rely on a pamphlet called "The Negro Motorist Green Book" to find places that will serve them. Includes facts about "The Green Book."


The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere)

by Jacqueline West When Olive and her distracted parents move into an old Victorian mansion, Olive finds herself ensnared in a dark plan involving some mysterious paintings, a trapped and angry boy, and three talking cats.


The Story of Snow: the Science of Winter’s Wonder by Louis Sachar

Text and photographs answer a variety of questions about snow, discussing how it forms, shapes of snow crystals, why no two flakes are alike, and more.


The Thing about Georgieby Lisa Graff

Georgie's dwarfism causes problems, but he could always rely on his parents, his best friend, and classmate Jeanie the Meanie's teasing, until a surprising announcement, a new boy in school, and a class project shake things up.


Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord

When the state of Maine threatens to shut down their island's one-room schoolhouse because of dwindling enrollment, Tess, a strong believer in luck, and her family take in a trumpet-playing foster child, to increase the school's population.


War Horseby Michael Morpurgo

Joey the horse recalls his experiences growing up on an English farm, his struggle for survival as a cavalry horse during World War I, and his reunion with his beloved master.


Education

2013 Illinois Bluestem Award