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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · 8d

Our October is simply full of author visits! For our final chat of the month, we'll be chatting with Dogtown illustrator Wallace West! If you'd like a chance for your class to participate, enter by 12p CT on 10/16. buff.ly/vURrKha #BluestemAward #BlueReads

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Illustrator Wallace West!" Two yellow bubbles read "Thursday, October 23 at 10am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Wallace West (a white man wearing a white shirt, blue scarf, baseball hat, and dark-framed glasses) and the cover of Dogtown (blue cover with a brown dog and a robot dog snuggling).

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · 10d

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

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Julie Buxbaum!" Two yellow bubbles read "Thursday, October 16 at 12pm CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Julie Buxbaum (white woman with shoulder length brown hair wearing a blue shirt) and the cover of The Area 51 Files (blue cover with a red vehicle being operated by two tweens who are surrounded by extraterrestrial characters).

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Mychal Threets @mychal3ts.bsky.social · 12d

🎶 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

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · 16d

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

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko!" Two yellow bubbles read "Thursday, October 9 at 10am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Katherine Applegate (white woman with light light hair wearing a white shirt and a denim jacket), Gennifer Choldenko (white woman with dark hair wearing a white shirt), and the cover of Dogtown (blue cover with a brown dog and a robot dog snuggling).

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · 17d

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

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Emma Steinkellner!" Two yellow bubbles read "Wednesday, October 8 at 11am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Emma Steinkellner (white adult woman with short dark brown hair wearing a striped shirt) and the cover of Nell of Gumbling (mustard cover with 3 characters; a fairy in a purple sweater and pink skirt, a human presenting character with a striped shirt and brown pants, and a horse human hybrid wearing a red tanktop).

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · 18d

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

Blue and beige background that reads "Teachers & librarians! Enter to win a live Zoom chat with 2026 Bluestem Author Meggie Ramm!" Two yellow bubbles read "Friday, October 3 at 10am CT" and "Enter your class(es) via the link in our bio!" In the center of the post, there's a picture of Meggie Ramm (white adult wearing a pink sweater, black scarf, and a tortoiseshell cat across shoulders with short blond hair and purple glasses) and the cover of Batcat (teal cover with a pink bat cat hybrid on the cover).

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · 23d

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

Shows a schedule of author/illustrator visits as follows:
-Meggie Ramm on 10/3 at 10am
-Emma Steinkellner on 10/8 at 11am
-Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko on 10/9 at 10am
-Julie Buxbaum on 10/26 at 12pm
-Wallace West on 10/23 at 10am
-Lisa Yee on 11/5 at 11am
-Kari Lavelle on 11/10 at 1pm
-Megan Wagner Lloyd & Michelle Mee Nutter on 12/2 at 11am
-Erin Frankel on 12/4 at 12pm
-Maryann Cocca-Leffler on 12/9 at 10am
-Meg Eden Kuyatt on 1/7 at 9am
Please note that all visits are held in Central Time on Zoom.

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Reposted by AISLE Bluestem Award

Meg Eden Kuyatt @medenkuyatt.bsky.social · May 13

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... :)

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 29

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. 🌊

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover with a blue water like the bottom of a pool. There's a young girl in a blue and yellow swimsuit pulling blue swim goggles on. The title of the book is Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas.

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 27

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. 📦

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a blue book cover. It depicts a family with a mom in a purple sweater holding a baby, a dad in a white shirt with a child on his shoulders, a young girl in pink with a violin, a young girl in a green shirt and orange pants, a girl in a yellow shirt and green pants holding a notebook, a young child holding a stuffed animal, a teen boy in jeans, a dog, and a cat. The title of the book is Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter.

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 22

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. 🐉

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover depicting a tower in the forest. Inside of the tower is a girl wearing a long blue hijab that blows in the wind in front of the tower. The title of the book is Rumaysa: A Fairytale by Radiya Hafiza, illustrated by Rhaida El Touny.

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 20

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. 🍽️

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover with an outdoor scene. There are three blue tents with people serving food and a helicopter flying above. A man with a white beard, wearing a blue shirt, yellow vest, and black baseball hat holds out a plate of food. The title of the book is A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paola Escobar.

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 15

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. ✨

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a yellow book cover. It depicts 3 characters on the cover. A young girl in brown overalls and a red and green striped shirt with a crown braid and a yellow book, a fairy with a pink skirt, purple cardigan, white shirt, and blue sneakers, and a centaur wearing a red tank top. The title of the book is Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life by Emma Steinkellner.

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 13

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. 💲

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a yellow book cover with a light blue, upside down piggy bank. Silver and gold coins are pouring out of it and piling below. The title of the book is Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty.

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 8

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!

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a blue book cover. It depicts a police line-up of 5 kids and a cat. From left to right it shows a kid a dark blue jacket and cargo pants wearing red sneakers, a shaggy-haired kid in a jeans and a red button down over a t-shirt, a dark haired girl in camo pants, a leather jacket, and combat boots, a shorter kid in red pants, a sweater vest, and bowtie, an orange cat, and a girl in shorts, black leggings, a green bomber jacket, and a white hijab. The title of the book is The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat.

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 6

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

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover depicting a little library. There's a fluffy orange cat and 2 mice on top of the library. The bottom library shelf shows a young boy in an orange shirt and green shorts holding a book. He stands in front of a ghost house. The book is The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass.

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · May 1

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

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover depicting an outdoor scene. Two students in red uniforms are running towards the reader, while other students fight in the background. Two birds swoop above and a large black cat-like creature roars. The title of this book is Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Kevin Hong.

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · Apr 29

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

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a purple book cover depicting a tween girl with auburn hair. She's wearing grey jeans and a pink and white striped shirt while holding a red book to her chest. Behind her are wings made up of words and doodles. The title of the book is Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt. The cover pictures also features the Schneider Family Book Award Honor seal.

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · Apr 25

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...

A light blue background that has doodles and bubbles that read: Remember! Readers' Choice Grant Applications are due by Wednesday 04/30! Get your school's app in now for a chance to win a set of award books!

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · Apr 24

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

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover depicting a woman in a wheelchair in the center. She wears a blue and white dress with a brown cardigan and has short brown hair. Surrounding her are other disabled and able-bodied people, some of whom are holding protest signs. Two people hold a large sign with the title of the book: Fighting for Yes! The Story of Disability Activist Judith Heumann. This book was written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger. It features a note from Judith Heumann.

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Reposted by AISLE Bluestem Award

aisled-org.bsky.social @aisled-org.bsky.social · Apr 21

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

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · Apr 22

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

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a blue book cover depicting a man parachuting with a briefcase and US dollars flying from him. There is a red banner across the top third of the cover reading Unsolved Case Files: Escape at 10,000 Feet. This title is by Tom Sullivan.

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · Apr 17

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

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover with a street running diagonally across the middle. On each side of the street is a reflected image of a dark haired boy wearing jeans, a white shirt, a red flannel, and a blue backpack. On the upper image his jeans are ripped, but not in the reflection. Other differences include his facial expressions, body positioning, and the lighting on each street. The title of this book is The Double Life of Danny Day by Mike Thayer.

AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · Apr 15

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

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a book cover with a blue and white room depicted on it. In the room are a brown dog, a robot dog plugged into the wall, and a grey mouse. The title of this book is Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Wallace West.

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AISLE Bluestem Award @bluestemaward.bsky.social · Apr 10

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

Blue background with stars that reads Bluestem 2026 Nominees. Pictured on the background is a green and blue book cover depicting the deep ocean. There are a variety of deep sea creatures on the cover, one of which is saying "You have to SEA it to believe it!" The title of this book is The Deep! Wild Life at the Ocean's Darkest Depths by Lindsey Leigh.