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

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

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

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

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... :)

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. 🌊

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. 📦

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. 🐉

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. 🍽️

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. ✨

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. 💲

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!

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

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

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

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...

Next up on our list is an incredible picture book biography! Fighting for Yes! by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger tells readers about the life and work of Judith Heumann, focusing on her work on the 504 Sit-In of 1977. #BluestemAward

There is one week left to apply for a free set of 2026 Readers’ Choice books through the LBSS Readers’ Choice grant. Visit for more information and to apply. @RCYRBA @monarchaward @bluestemaward.bsky.social @LincolnAward #AISLEd

Young fans of true crime don't need to look any further, this next book is just for them! The first entry in the Unsolved Case Files series, Escape at 10,000 Feet by Tom Sullivan tells readers the unbelievable true story of D.B. Cooper's infamous 1971 plane hijacking. 🛬 #BluestemAward

Seeing double? Nope! You're just seeing the next book on our 2026 list, The Double Life of Danny Day by Mike Thayer. This Groundhog Day-esque story is perfect for fans of time travel elements, video games, and friendship stories. #BluestemAward

Have an animal loving reader in your life? Our next book, Dogtown by @kaaauthor.bsky.social and @choldenko.bsky.social , is perfect for them! Readers will enjoy the quick pace and Wallace West's delightful illustrations! 🐕 #BluestemAward

Next up? It's The Deep! Wild Life at the Ocean's Darkest Depths by @linseedling.bsky.social ! This nonfiction graphic novel helps readers dive into the learning about the different ocean zones as well as the curious creatures that inhabit them! 🤿 #BluestemAward

LBSS is accepting applications for the 2026 Readers’ Choice Award Grant. Go to www.lbssfund.org to learn more and to apply. Applications are due on April 30th. @RCYRBA @monarchaward @bluestemaward.bsky.social @LincolnAward #AISLEd #LBSSEndowment

Next up on the 2026 list is Curlfriends: New in Town by @coilyandcute.bsky.social ! In this graphic novel, Charlie is used to starting at new schools, but is determined to make the best first impression by hiding everything that makes her Charlie. Perfect rec for fans of The Babysitters Club!

Happy Right to Read Day! Illinois' Readers Choice programs are student-centered and help create lifelong readers. @RCYRBA @monarchaward @bluestemaward.bsky.social @LincolnAward #schoollibrarymonth #righttoreadday #AISLEd

Is it a butt? Is it a face? No, it's Butt or Face? by @karilavellewrites.bsky.social ! The next book on our 2026 list is a hilarious nonfiction romp where readers must guess from close-up photos if it's an animal's butt or it's face. Great for fans of interactive books and animal nonfiction!

Today is #WeNeedDiverseBooksDay! If you’re celebrating, tag us so we can follow along with the festivities! Unsure of what to read? We’ve recommended titles for all ages, and you can win ALL of them in our special giveaway, only on Instagram 🎉 🎁 bit.ly/4cd5vVE

It might be 4/1, but we're not fooling! The next book on our list is Better with Butter by Victoria Piontek! Marvel, a 12-year-old girl with anxiety, rescues Butter, a fainting goat, from bullies. They're able to help each other, but will all be lost when Butter's owner appears? 🐐 #BluestemAward

Next on our 2026 list is @meggietheramm.bsky.social's Batcat, a sweet graphic novel where Batcat goes on an adventurous quest to gather ingredients to banish a ghost and ends up on a journey of self-acceptance and friendship. A great rec for readers who have enjoyed Narwhal & Jelly or Owly!

Now that the 2025 winner is announced, let's start introducing our 2026 list! Our first book is The Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu. In this illustrated science fiction series, Sky is sent to live with her uncle in Area 51 and alien hijinks ensue. 🛸 👽 #BluestemAward

Friendly reminder that the LBSS Readers' Choice Grant Application is NOW OPEN! Schools have until Wednesday 4/30 to submit their application to win 1 set of 2026 Award books for Monarch, Bluestem, Caudill, or Lincoln. For more information, see the link in our bio and good luck! #BluestemAward

Want to watch the entire 2025 @aisled-org.bsky.social Readers' Choice Announcement video? Check it out here! youtu.be/gwUjxn0TwMU?...

Huge congratulations to our 2025 Bluestem Award Winner, Odder, @kaaauthor.bsky.social, and @charlessantoso.bsky.social! . Additional congrats to Alina Chau for Marshmallow & Jordan and to @claribelortega.bsky.social and Rose Bousamra for Frizzy!

So excited to announce the Bluestem 2025 Reader's Choice Selections! 🎉

Reminder! The last day to vote for AISLE Readers' Choice Awards is THIS Friday 3/15! If you haven't already, get your vote(s) in ASAP! 🗳️

Big thanks to the dedicated committees and the passionate readers for nominating outstanding books. Excited to announce our 2026 Illinois Bluestem Award List! bit.ly/2026Bluestem... @aisled-org.bsky.social #BluestemAward #BlueReads