2026-2027 Texas Bluebonnet Award List

The Black Mambas : the world's first all-woman anti-poaching unit

Crull, Kelly,


Booklist starred, March 2025. Kirkus Review, June 2025. Pub Weekly, February 2025. School Library Journal starred, April 2025. "Go on patrol with the Black Mambas, South Africa's first women-led anti-poaching unit. Meet the rangers and discover all they do to protect the wildlife at the Balule Nature Reserve, [part of the Kruger National Park]"--Provided by publisher.
Date Published:2025

Gracie under the waves

Park, Linda Sue,


Junior Library Guild. "Gracie loves snorkeling! She loves it so much, she convinces her parents to let her plan a family vacation to Roatan, Honduras, where they can all snorkel together. She even makes a new friend there. Now, if only her irritating little brother would leave her alone, everything would be perfect. Then Gracie hurts her leg, and all her carefully made plans start to come apart. Worse still, she learns the reef itself is in serious danger. Gracie wants to help the reef . . . but she's just a kid. What can she do to make a difference? Fortunately, her new friend has a few ideas!" --Provided by publisher.
Date Published:2024

Junior Library Guild. "Gracie loves snorkeling! She loves it so much, she convinces her parents to let her plan a family vacation to Roatan, Honduras, where they can all snorkel together. She even makes a new friend there. Now, if only her irritating little brother would leave her alone, everything would be perfect. Then Gracie hurts her leg, and all her carefully made plans start to come apart. Worse still, she learns the reef itself is in serious danger. Gracie wants to help the reef . . . but she's just a kid. What can she do to make a difference? Fortunately, her new friend has a few ideas!" --Provided by publisher.

Date Published:2024

The invisible parade

Bardugo, Leigh,


Booklist starred, July 2025. Kirkus Starred, June 2025. Pub Weekly, June 2025. School Library Journal, June 2025. "A young girl examines fear and death and discovers bravery against the backdrop of DiÌa de Muertos"--Provided by publisher.
Date Published:2025

The library of unruly treasures

Birdsall, Jeanne,


"This is a Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf"--T.p. verso. Booklist starred, July 2025. Bulletin (Center for Children's Books), September 2025. Horn Book, September 2025. Kirkus Review, June 2025. School Library Journal starred, June 2025. Gwen MacKinnon's parents are dreadful, so she is not upset when she's foisted onto her Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Especially when it turns out he has a very opinionated dog named Pumpkin. Things take a turn for the weird when Gwen makes a discovery in the local library that involves tiny creatures with wings called Lahdukan. But why can only Gwen and the youngest children see them? The Lahdukan insist thatGwen is destined to help them find a newhome. But how can agirl like Gwen possibly come to the rescue?
Date Published:2025

"This is a Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf"--T.p. verso. Booklist starred, July 2025. Bulletin (Center for Children's Books), September 2025. Horn Book, September 2025. Kirkus Review, June 2025. School Library Journal starred, June 2025. Gwen MacKinnon's parents are dreadful, so she is not upset when she's foisted onto her Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Especially when it turns out he has a very opinionated dog named Pumpkin. Things take a turn for the weird when Gwen makes a discovery in the local library that involves tiny creatures with wings called Lahdukan. But why can only Gwen and the youngest children see them? The Lahdukan insist thatGwen is destined to help them find a newhome. But how can agirl like Gwen possibly come to the rescue?

Date Published:2025

Pocket bear

Applegate, Katherine,


"Born during the throes of World War I, Pocket was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier's jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, when the soldier glanced at his pocket, he would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm. Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial leader of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend, Zephyrina, known far and wide as a cat burglar, have seen it all, and then some. An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket Bear reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible" --
Date Published:2025

"Born during the throes of World War I, Pocket was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier's jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, when the soldier glanced at his pocket, he would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm. Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial leader of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend, Zephyrina, known far and wide as a cat burglar, have seen it all, and then some. An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket Bear reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible" --

Date Published:2025

Safe crossing

Percival, Kari,


Junior Library Guild. "Every spring, frogs and salamanders must travel from wooded uplands to vernal pools where they were born, now to mate. Unfortunately, roads constructed through their habitats have made the journey dangerous for these slow-moving animals. Many never reach their destinations. But with the help of the Amphibian Migration Team, there is hope for a safe crossing! Playful and informative, Safe Crossing offers an empowering example of how even the youngest individuals can raise awareness a$bout a meaningful cause, drive change, and unite people in a community, as well as globally"--$cProvided by publisher.
Date Published:2025

Junior Library Guild. "Every spring, frogs and salamanders must travel from wooded uplands to vernal pools where they were born, now to mate. Unfortunately, roads constructed through their habitats have made the journey dangerous for these slow-moving animals. Many never reach their destinations. But with the help of the Amphibian Migration Team, there is hope for a safe crossing! Playful and informative, Safe Crossing offers an empowering example of how even the youngest individuals can raise awareness a$bout a meaningful cause, drive change, and unite people in a community, as well as globally"--$cProvided by publisher.

Date Published:2025

Wanda hears the stars : a blind astronomer listens to the Universe

Hansen, Amy,


Booklist starred, July 2025. Kirkus Review, July 2025. School Library Journal starred, June 2025. "Growing up in Puerto Rico, Wanda DiÌaz Merced wanted to study the stars. But when she lost her sight, she had to find a new way to work. Through the use of sonification, which turns data into sound, she was able to make a path for herself and other scientists with disabilities"--Provided by publisher.
Date Published:2025

Booklist starred, July 2025. Kirkus Review, July 2025. School Library Journal starred, June 2025. "Growing up in Puerto Rico, Wanda DiÌaz Merced wanted to study the stars. But when she lost her sight, she had to find a new way to work. Through the use of sonification, which turns data into sound, she was able to make a path for herself and other scientists with disabilities"--Provided by publisher.

Date Published:2025

Will's race for home : a western

Rhodes, Jewell Parker,


Booklist starred, January 2025. Horn Book, March 2025. Kirkus Starred, December 2024. Pub Weekly, October 2024. School Library Journal starred, November 2024. During the land rush of 1889, African American Will and his father journey from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others to stake their claim.
Date Published:2025