TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD

Each year, 20 books are chosen as the “Texas BluebonnetAward Master List” by the TBA selection committee. Ifstudents read a minimum of five books from the currentmaster list (or have the books read aloud to them), they havethe opportunity to vote for their favorite title during the monthof January each year. The author of the book receiving themost votes statewide is declared the winner of the TexasBluebonnet Award.

The Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee members strive tochoose the best books and offer supportive materials to helpinspire the children of Texas to find their passion for reading.

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MEMBERS: P R O G R A M C O M M I T T E EP R O G R A M C O M M I T T E EP R O G R A M C O M M I T T E EP R O G R A M C O M M I T T E E

Name / LocationName / LocationName / LocationName / Location

Brooke King, Humble ISD

Gail Shipley, Dallas ISD

Cristine Ragland, Copperas Cove ISD

Aimee van Heyst, Dallas Public Library

Linda Thiebaud, Lewisville ISD

Lisa Zinkie, Fort Worth ISD

Kevin Brown, Denton ISD

Richelle O’Neil, Prosper ISD

Mary Pettit, Bulverde/Spring Branch Public Library

Betty Potter, Snyder ISD

Mary Jo Humphreys, CoordinatorMary Jo Humphreys, CoordinatorMary Jo Humphreys, CoordinatorMary Jo Humphreys, Coordinator

Eugenia Vela, TLA Staff Liaison

TLA Standing Rules (Rule 9.R)

designate members of the

Program Committee from CRT

or TASL to be appointed by

the TLA Chair-Elect.

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DistrictDistrictDistrictDistrict Name / LocationName / LocationName / LocationName / Location

1 Sharon Lawler, Randolph Field ISD

2 Sharon Cooper, Amarillo ISD

3 Kristen Fournier, Round Rock ISD

4 Sheri Durham, Harlingen CISD

5 John Trischitti, Midland County Public Libraries

6 Marcy Sparks, Socorro ISD

7 Jamie Jensen, Frisco ISD

8 Shelly Lane, Montgomery County Public Library

9 Debbie Garza, Dawson County Public Library

10 Vonnie Perry, Abilene ISD

MEMBERS: S E L E C T I O N C O M M I T T E ES E L E C T I O N C O M M I T T E ES E L E C T I O N C O M M I T T E ES E L E C T I O N C O M M I T T E E

Mary Jo Humphreys, CoordinatorMary Jo Humphreys, CoordinatorMary Jo Humphreys, CoordinatorMary Jo Humphreys, Coordinator

Eugenia Vela, TLA Staff Liaison

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TLA Standing Rules

(Rule 9.S) requires the

Selection Committee

be comprised of

members from each of

the ten TLA districts

with five from CRT and

five from TASL.

TLA CONFERENCETLA CONFERENCETLA CONFERENCETLA CONFERENCEAPRIL 26-27, 2013 – FORT WORTH, TX

Welcome New Welcome New Welcome New Welcome New MembersMembersMembersMembers

� Mary Jo Humphreys – TBA Coordinator

� Marcy Sparks – Selection Committee

� Sharon Cooper – Selection Committee

� Debbie Garza – Selection Committee

� Gail Shipley – Program Committee

� Linda Thiebaud – Program Committee

� Lisa Zinkie – Program Committee

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The Texas Bluebonnet Award

is a unique program that

encourages reading for

pleasure and is aimed at

students in grades 3-6.

MEANWHILEMEANWHILEMEANWHILEMEANWHILEMAY & JUNE 2013

S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N

C O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E E

Receiving books Receiving books Receiving books Receiving books

Maintaining an inventoryMaintaining an inventoryMaintaining an inventoryMaintaining an inventory

Reading Reading Reading Reading

RecommendingRecommendingRecommendingRecommending

P R O G R A M P R O G R A M P R O G R A M P R O G R A M

C O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E E

Becoming familiar with TBA Becoming familiar with TBA Becoming familiar with TBA Becoming familiar with TBA

WordPress siteWordPress siteWordPress siteWordPress site

Updating committee Updating committee Updating committee Updating committee

proceduresproceduresproceduresprocedures

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792 books were

received and reviewed

for the 2014-2015 list.

http://texasbluebonnetaward2015.wordpress.com/

TLA ANNUAL ASSEMBLYTLA ANNUAL ASSEMBLYTLA ANNUAL ASSEMBLYTLA ANNUAL ASSEMBLYJULY 8-9, 2013 - AUSTIN, TEXAS

Program Committee: Discuss video, social media, and subcommittee roles

Selection Committee: Discuss recommended books

Joint Committee: Discuss program changes and agendas

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Receiving booksReceiving booksReceiving booksReceiving books

Maintaining an inventory of Maintaining an inventory of Maintaining an inventory of Maintaining an inventory of

books receivedbooks receivedbooks receivedbooks received

Promoting 2013Promoting 2013Promoting 2013Promoting 2013----14 TBA List14 TBA List14 TBA List14 TBA List

Reading Reading Reading Reading

Recommending Recommending Recommending Recommending

Preliminary BallotPreliminary BallotPreliminary BallotPreliminary Ballot

MEANWHILEMEANWHILEMEANWHILEMEANWHILEJULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2013

S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N

C O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E E

P R O G R A M P R O G R A M P R O G R A M P R O G R A M

C O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E E

Divide new books and Divide new books and Divide new books and Divide new books and

responsibilities among responsibilities among responsibilities among responsibilities among

membersmembersmembersmembers

Find webFind webFind webFind web----based resources based resources based resources based resources

such as available book such as available book such as available book such as available book

trailers trailers trailers trailers

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34 books were rated “low priority” at Annual Assembly.

188 books were considered ineligible.

433 books were rejected by committee members.

TLA FALL MEETINGTLA FALL MEETINGTLA FALL MEETINGTLA FALL MEETINGSEPTEMBER 27-28, 2013 - AUSTIN, TEXAS

Of the 137 recommended books137 recommended books137 recommended books137 recommended books

from 5 rounds of assignments,

92 books received one or more

votes and

45 books received zero votes on

the preliminary ballot.

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Bluebonnets

represent

books that

make it on

the TBA list.

After 15 ballots the Selection Committee

agreed upon the 2014-2015 Texas

Bluebonnet Award Master List!

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TLA FALL MEETINGTLA FALL MEETINGTLA FALL MEETINGTLA FALL MEETINGSEPTEMBER 27-28, 2013 - AUSTIN, TEXASMembers have to

keep the list a secret

for nearly a month.

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TEXAS BOOK FESTIVALTEXAS BOOK FESTIVALTEXAS BOOK FESTIVALTEXAS BOOK FESTIVALOCTOBER 26-27, 2013 - AUSTIN, TEXAS

Announcement of the 2014-15

Texas Bluebonnet Award list was

made by authors Jon Scieszka

and Mac Barnett.

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MEANWHILEMEANWHILEMEANWHILEMEANWHILEOCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 2013; JANUARY 2014

S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N S E L E C T I O N

C O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E E

Receiving booksReceiving booksReceiving booksReceiving books

Maintaining an inventory of Maintaining an inventory of Maintaining an inventory of Maintaining an inventory of

books receivedbooks receivedbooks receivedbooks received

Promoting 2013Promoting 2013Promoting 2013Promoting 2013----14 TBA List14 TBA List14 TBA List14 TBA List

Reading (for 2015Reading (for 2015Reading (for 2015Reading (for 2015----16 List)16 List)16 List)16 List)

RecommendingRecommendingRecommendingRecommending

P R O G R A M P R O G R A M P R O G R A M P R O G R A M

C O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E EC O M M I T T E E

Book TrailersBook TrailersBook TrailersBook Trailers

Author InterviewsAuthor InterviewsAuthor InterviewsAuthor Interviews

Readers’ Theatre ScriptsReaders’ Theatre ScriptsReaders’ Theatre ScriptsReaders’ Theatre Scripts

Web ResourcesWeb ResourcesWeb ResourcesWeb Resources

DVD DVD DVD DVD

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The Selection Committee takes a one month break then

starts the whole process over again.

The Program Committee embarks on a tight deadline to

create all materials and put them online by Feb 1.

PROGRAMS!PROGRAMS!PROGRAMS!PROGRAMS!OCTOBER 2013 – JANUARY 2014

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20 author interviews.

Readers Theaters for ALL books!

Book Talks, read-a-likes, trailers,

author websites, biographies,

social media and book reviews.

Crazy Texas Weather!Crazy Texas Weather!Crazy Texas Weather!Crazy Texas Weather!

Final voting extended to Final voting extended to Final voting extended to Final voting extended to February 7, 2014 due to February 7, 2014 due to February 7, 2014 due to February 7, 2014 due to school and public library school and public library school and public library school and public library closures.closures.closures.closures.

TBA 2014 Official Voting StatisticsTBA 2014 Official Voting StatisticsTBA 2014 Official Voting StatisticsTBA 2014 Official Voting Statistics

Number of Registered Institutions: 1,946

Total Number of Institutions Reporting Votes: 1,573

Total Number of Students Reported By Grade Level: 181,734

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VOTING FOR 2013-14 WINNERJANUARY & FEBRUARY, 2014

AND THE WINNER IS…

Announced Feb. 19, 2014Announced Feb. 19, 2014Announced Feb. 19, 2014Announced Feb. 19, 2014

28,398 Texas

children

(15.6% of all

votes)

selected the

winner!

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MEANWHILEMEANWHILEMEANWHILEMEANWHILEMARCH & APRIL 2014

SELECTION & PROGRAM COMMITTEESELECTION & PROGRAM COMMITTEESELECTION & PROGRAM COMMITTEESELECTION & PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Preparation for the TLA Annual Conference Preparation for the TLA Annual Conference Preparation for the TLA Annual Conference Preparation for the TLA Annual Conference

� Speed Dating, featuring five authors

� I <3 bluebonnets: Digital Promotion and Programming

� TBA Luncheon

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TLA CONFERENCE TLA CONFERENCE TLA CONFERENCE TLA CONFERENCE APRIL 8-11, 2014 – SAN ANTONIO, TX

MeetingsMeetingsMeetingsMeetings

Dinners with AuthorsDinners with AuthorsDinners with AuthorsDinners with Authors

PresentationsPresentationsPresentationsPresentations

TBA LuncheonTBA LuncheonTBA LuncheonTBA Luncheon

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Almost 150

bundles of

books were

given away.

YOUTH PARTICIPANTSYOUTH PARTICIPANTSYOUTH PARTICIPANTSYOUTH PARTICIPANTSAPRIL 10, 2014 – SAN ANTONIO, TX

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Criteria for TBA Student ParticipantCriteria for TBA Student ParticipantCriteria for TBA Student ParticipantCriteria for TBA Student Participant• Youth’s school or public library must be

registered for the TBA program.

• Youth must currently be in grades 3-6 or a home schooled student doing work equivalent to grades 3-6.

• Youth must have read at least 5 books from the current TBA list.

• Youth must read the winning Bluebonnet Award book before attending the luncheon.

JustinJustinJustinJustinDistrict 1

MyraMyraMyraMyraDistrict 2

IsabellaIsabellaIsabellaIsabellaDistrict 3

ChristianChristianChristianChristianDistrict 4

KamrynnKamrynnKamrynnKamrynnDistrict 5

DanielaDanielaDanielaDanielaDistrict 6

SamuelSamuelSamuelSamuelDistrict 7

AmberAmberAmberAmberDistrict 10

LexieLexieLexieLexieDistrict 9

AliyahAliyahAliyahAliyahDistrict 8

DanielaDanielaDanielaDanielaDistrict 6

SamuelSamuelSamuelSamuelDistrict 7

TBA LUNCHEONTBA LUNCHEONTBA LUNCHEONTBA LUNCHEONAPRIL 10, 2014 – SAN ANTONIO, TX

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Youth participants interview

author John Grandits and

illustrator Michael Allen Austin

Rehearsal

Lunch

TBA LUNCHEONTBA LUNCHEONTBA LUNCHEONTBA LUNCHEONAPRIL 10, 2014 – SAN ANTONIO, TX

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FAREWELLFAREWELLFAREWELLFAREWELL22

“It has truly

been an honor

to serve with

each and every

one of you, and

an honor to

serve on the

committee in

general. I will

truly miss it.”

~ Mary Petit

This group (and even as they come and go) works

together so so well. I have certainly enjoyed my

years on the Program Committee and am in awe

of the Selection Committee and everything you

all do to make sure the very best books are on

the Master List. Thanks again for making this

such a wonderful “ride.” ~ Kevin Brown

“It was a

wonderful three

years of my life. I

have enjoyed

getting to work

with an awesome

group and

creating some

wonderful lists.”

~ Shelly Lane

“The experience of the past three years has been

the apex of my professional career! Whether it be

the insights you gain into the art of book

evaluation or the discussions with your colleagues,

all have been invaluable. This will definitely

become one of your Professional Learning Groups,

and for me it has always been my favorite and

most satisfying!” ~ Sharon Lawler

“I have enjoyed three

years on this journey!

Get ready to read!”

~ Vonnie Perry

“The impact that service on the Bluebonnet

Award Selection committee had on me both

professionally and personally was profound. It

gave me the opportunity to impact the children

of Texas in a positive way while giving back to

an organization, TLA, that has been such a

large part of my career. The relationships made

are ones that will last a lifetime and the work

done on the committee is some of what I am

most proud of.” ~ John Trischitti, III

“The Bluebonnet experience has been one of

the highlights of my work life and will remain

one of my favorite memories as I complete

my career and ooze into retirement. This has

been the way committee/team work is

supposed to be - great people working

together to accomplish a worthy goal.”

~ Elizabeth “Betty” Potter

“My time on the TBA committee

was truly memorable! While I

will remember the amazing

amount of work we

accomplished, I will most

remember the relationships I

created with the committee

members. I am forever grateful

to have met such a creative and

hardworking group of people.”

~ Richelle O’Neil