Someplace to Call Home by Sandra Dallas has made it onto the 2021 Texas Bluebonnet Award’s Master List!

“The Texas Library Association’s (TLA) 2021-2022 Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) Master List was announced at the online Texas Book Festival on Monday, November 2.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the list was announced virtually. As is tradition, students in grades 3 – 6 from across Texas revealed the books on the list…

“The Texas Bluebonnet list is a prestigious list composed of titles from diverse, imaginative and creative authors. The titles on the list offer students in grades 3-6, quality literature that is both fiction and nonfiction to be read for pleasure,” said Jacqui Bridges-Sheppherd, TBA coordinator. “Titles were chosen that allow the books to act as windows into reality and imaginary worlds while offering a view into someone else’s experiences; and mirrors that reflect a reader’s own life or culture while building their identity. This literature also takes the student’s interests in mind and provides positive reviews for parents, teachers and librarians.”

Librarians on the TBA selection committee, which generally considers at least 500 books, this year evaluated a whopping 813 books before selecting the 20 that are on the list. “I am very proud of the resilience of the selection committee, given the circumstance of the pandemic and the dramatic shift to virtual discussions,” Bridges-Sheppherd said. “This year the committee had an additional challenge of keeping up with the numerous reading platforms (Glose, Netgalley, Dropbox, Edelweiss, etc.) for the digital books we received to consider.”

The primary goals of the TBA list are to introduce children to a variety of quality books, develop critical reading skills, and honor and encourage authors. To compose the list, the committee selected five outstanding books of various genres for grades 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Each year, more than 100,000 third-through-sixth graders from across Texas vote for their favorite title from the master list. “Read 5, then decide” is a slogan known by school librarians, public librarians and homeschooling parents across the state. The TBA Award winner is announced in the spring.”