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

Fowl play

Tubb, Kristin O'Donnell,


"Ages 8-12"--Back cover. Booklist starred, May 2024. Pub Weekly, April 2024. "Chloe Alvarez has never been to the reading of a last will and testament before, but she hopes it is just like the movies. Lies! Intrigue! The reading of her Uncle Will's will is standard, until he announces his gift for Chloe: his African grey parrot, Charlie. Uncle Will was Chloe's best friend. Without him, she's left with only her memories of them together--which come to her in snapshots--and her new friend, Charlie. The parrot has a vast vocabulary, and soon Chloe hears her say something odd: It was murder, followed by homicide and cyanide"--Provided by publisher.
Date Published:2025

"Ages 8-12"--Back cover. Booklist starred, May 2024. Pub Weekly, April 2024. "Chloe Alvarez has never been to the reading of a last will and testament before, but she hopes it is just like the movies. Lies! Intrigue! The reading of her Uncle Will's will is standard, until he announces his gift for Chloe: his African grey parrot, Charlie. Uncle Will was Chloe's best friend. Without him, she's left with only her memories of them together--which come to her in snapshots--and her new friend, Charlie. The parrot has a vast vocabulary, and soon Chloe hears her say something odd: It was murder, followed by homicide and cyanide"--Provided by publisher.

Date Published:2025

Gabby Torres gets a billion followers

Dominguez, Angela,


Junior Library Guild. "Gabby Torres is nine years old and ready to conquer the world. She's already joined the Sea Musketeers, the environmental protection club founded by her idol, Stella Diaz, and plans to be their best (and youngest) member ever. Gabby's latest and greatest idea: start a social media page for her club. But her parents think she's too young! Nothing stops Gabby though...until some online meanies get her in some serious trouble! But she's totally got everything under control all on her own. Right?"--Provided by publisher.
Date Published:2025

Junior Library Guild. "Gabby Torres is nine years old and ready to conquer the world. She's already joined the Sea Musketeers, the environmental protection club founded by her idol, Stella Diaz, and plans to be their best (and youngest) member ever. Gabby's latest and greatest idea: start a social media page for her club. But her parents think she's too young! Nothing stops Gabby though...until some online meanies get her in some serious trouble! But she's totally got everything under control all on her own. Right?"--Provided by publisher.

Date Published:2025

Mixed-up

Garcia, Kami,


Booklist starred, December 01, 2025. Kirkus, December 01, 2024. Publisher's Weekly, October 07, 2024. School library journal, December 2024. A game-loving girl who gets diagnosed with dyslexia finds her support network that helps her along in the journey. In graphic novel format.
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

Saved by the smell

Lerner, Jarrett,


"Ages 5-8"--Back cover. Booklist, February 2025. Kirkus Review, January 2025. Publishers Weekly, December 2024. School Library Journal, February 2025. Ari's life takes a chaotic turn when his mad scientist mom devises a portal to tackle their overwhelming laundry crisis, leading to much bigger problems when they accidentally travel 70 million years back in time.
Date Published:2025

Speak up, Santiago! : a Hillside Valley graphic novel

Anta, Julio,


Booklist, February 2025. Publishers Weekly, December 2024. School Library Journal, March 2025. "NYC kid Santiago heads upstate to stay with his grandmother for the summer"--Provided by publisher.
Date Published:2025