Texas Bluebonnet Nominees

1. Texas Bluebonnet Nominees 2010-2011

2. FIVE is the number to vote.

4. Amazing Faces Lee Bennet Hopkins’ collection of 16 multicultural poems by various well-known authors portrays different feelings and emotions. Chris Soentpiet’s watercolor illustrations bring those feelings to life. A truly beautiful book in every sense of the word.

6. Balarama: A Royal Elephant Ted and Betsy Lewin bring the culture and traditions of southern India alive as they introduce us to Balarama, the elephant chosen to be the Ambari (lead elephant) in the majaraja of Mysore’s annual parade on the last day of Dasara.

8. Black Elk’s VisionA Lakota Story “Everyone must choose to walk with the water of life or the weapon of destruction.” These are the words Black Elk, one of the great Lakota Indian Chiefs, receives from the Six Grandfathers in a vision. S.D. Nelson uses historical photographs and vibrant illustrations to describe the Lakota’s struggle to maintain their way of life and share Black Elk’s message of hope.

10. The Buddy FilesThe Case of the Lost Boy While searching for his mysteriously lost human family, Buddy the dog is adopted by another family and helps solve the mystery of their lost boy. If you like dogs, you’re going to love Buddy! The Buddy Files, a new series, is sure to please all readers.

12. The Duchess of WhimsyAn Absolutely Delicious Fairy Tale Will a simple sandwich unite an extraordinary royal with an ordinary fellow? People are not always who they seem, simple things mean a lot, and opposites do attract as seen in this “delicious, delectable, divine,” and whimsical fairy tale.

14. Goal! Soccer is played all over the world and brings people together in sport. In this picture book, set in a dusty township in South Africa, a group of boys gather to play with a new regulation soccer ball. But danger lurks in a gang of bullies that roam the streets. Can they keep their ball and play their game?

16. The Hallelujah Flight Join the “Flying Hoboes,” James Banning and his co-pilot Thomas Allen, as they make history by becoming the first African American pilots to fly across the United States. Their mission: to inspire people brought low by the Great Depression. Based on a true story, this is an adventurous tale of strength, courage and ingenuity.

18. The Books of UmberHappenstance Found Who or what is Happenstance? A blindfolded young boy awakens in a cavern under an active volcano with no memory of his life or even his name. Rescued by Lord Umber and his team, he begins a fast-paced adventure full of peril and discovery. A promising new series, The Books of Umber, are sure to please fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series.

20. Imogene’s Last Stand “Heck no, I won’t go!” Young Imogene Trip is a history buff and activist. She refurbishes her town’s Historical Society Building and turns it into a museum. But when the powers that be decide to destroy it to build a shoelace factory, Imogene declares, “I have not yet begun to fight!” Can she save the museum? Find out just how powerful one small girl can be.

22. LouisaThe Life of Louisa May Alcott You know her books, Little Women, Little Men, Under the Lilacs, now learn about the woman who wrote them in this biography. This book traces the life of one of America’s most beloved authors in picture book format.

24. The Extraordinary Mark Twain(According to Susy) From the spring of 1885 to the summer of 1886 thirteen-year old Susy Twin, worked on a biography of her famous father, Mark. Using that “little brown notebook,” author Barbara Kerley created a unique biography of her own. Placing little snippets from Susy’s diary throughout the book, Kerley paints a warmhearted picture of one of America’s best-loved authors and humorists.

26. Mirror MirrorA Book of Reversible Verse Author Marilyn Singer has created the reverso, a type of poem that means one thing when read down. But read up with changes allowed only in punctuation and capitalization, it means something different. You’ll like it. I promise. I promise! You’ll like it!

28. Out of My Mind Do you know what it’s like to be confined to a wheelchair and not be able to speak? Melody Brooks does. She is just a regular kid who wants all the same things that every fifth grader wants. Author Sharon Draper defies every pre-conceived notion about kids with special need in this powerful novel. *Miss O.’s favorite Bluebonnet of the year!

30. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda Is Origami Yoda real? Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate, Dwight, as they try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future. Full of fun and laughs, this book is sure to be a favorite with students.

32. The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity • Steve Brixton, aspiring detective, could never guess that checking out a book on quilting from his local library would be the beginning of his first case. When he is falsely accused of working for a criminal mastermind, he has to rely on his trusty Baily Brothers’ Detective Handbook to solve this case of mistaken identity. Stay tuned for more adventures in this new series.

34. The Books of ElsewhereThe Shadows Secrets in the basement, mysterious paintings, a trapped and angry nine-year old boy, and talking cats are just some of the strange things Olive discovers when her family moves into an old Victorian mansion. Fans of ghost stories and mysteries are going to love this new series by Jacqueline West.

36. The Storm in the Barn By combining history and fantasy, Matt Phelan has created an original graphic novel that explores the hardships of the Dust Bowl era in a unique magical way. Eleven-year old Jack Clark thinks he may have dust dementia, a new disorder where people are seeing strange things. There is water and a presence in an old barn that he cannot explain - or is it just his imagination?

38. Turtle in Paradise Jennifer Holm has done it again! Inspired by the life of her Conch great-grandmother who emigrated to Key West in the late 1800s, Ms. Holm gives us the story of Turtle, an eleven-year old girl, who is sent to live with relatives she has never met. Set in 1935 readers get a real feel for what life was like for Conch families during the Great Depression. Another great book by a wonderful author!

40. Wild Times at the Bead & Biscuit Grandpa Bender along with Ernest the mini pig run The Bed & Biscuit, a boardinghouse for wounded animals. When a wounded Canada goose, cranky old muskrat and two feisty fox kits are brought to them, Grandpa and the residents have to scramble to nurse them back to health. Let the Wild Times Roll!

42. The Witch’s Guide to Cooking with Children • Hansel and Gretel is only a fairy tale, right? Meet Sol and his little sis, Connie, who have just moved to a new city with the man they think is their father and his new wife. There are no kids in their new neighborhood, the grownups are acting strange, and the neighbor’s dog keep digging up funny looking bones. This modern twist on the classic fairy tale is creepy fun.