As one of 10 students from around the state, Garfield Elementary School fourth grader Jesse Paredes was selected to attend the Texas Library Association’s (TLA) annual Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) luncheon in Dallas in April where he will meet the author of this year’s winning Bluebonnet book.

The Texas Bluebonnet Award is a reading program established by the TLA to promote excellence in literature among children, as well as encourage them to explore a variety of current literature, develop powers of discrimination and select their favorite book. Every year, a list of 20 books determined by the TBA Committee is distributed to participating schools and public libraries. Participating students must read a minimum of five books from the current Bluebonnet book list before they may vote for their favorite title. The author of the book receiving the most votes is then recognized at the annual luncheon. Voting is still in session for this year’s winner.

“I am happy and honored to have been selected to represent my school at the Texas Bluebonnet Award luncheon,” said Paredes.

With more than 344 schools statewide applying for one of the 10 winning spots, the TLA chose Garfield to represent state District 8, and Garfield students interested in attending the luncheon had to write an essay on why they thought they should be chosen to attend the Bluebonnet luncheon.

After the essays were submitted, a school committee reviewed each essay. The writers of the best selected entries were asked to make an oral presentation before the committee in which committee members looked for oral presentation skills including poise, enthusiasm and confidence, as well as refined responses to general questions such as “What is your favorite Bluebonnet book and why?”

The school’s librarian Diane Pine said Paredes will serve as a good representative for the school, Pasadena ISD and District 8 at the luncheon.

“Jesse loves to read, and he especially enjoys Bluebonnet books,” said Pine. “In addition to loving to read, he exhibits good citizenship and respect for his teachers and other students in our school.”

Paredes is only one of two Pasadena ISD students to attend the TBA luncheon in the last 13 years, and Pine said her school is proud of this honor.

“This recognition showcases our support for this program as well as the importance of reading in our school, district, city and state,” Pine said. “It brings the relationship between Pasadena ISD students and the Texas Bluebonnet Award program closer. We all have a greater understanding of the magnitude of this program as our student meets with children from all over the state representing hundreds of other schools and districts.”

The five Bluebonnet books Garfield students are voting on include The Greatest Skating Race written by Louise Borden, Down Girl and Sit: On the Road written by Lucy A. Nolan, Pompeii: Lost and Found written by Mary Pope Osborne, Ballet of the Elephants written by Leda Schubert and George Crum and the Saratoga Chip written by Gaylia Taylor.

Pine said meeting an author of a book a student has read is a significant learning experience for children because it provides them with opportunities to learn from the author and allows them to find that events in their own lives are important enough to become a story.

“It is important for children to meet an author because authors explain how and why they write,” said Pine. “Through interactions with authors, children discover the actual writing process and may use it as a mirror for their own writing. The authors also give first-person accounts of personal experiences in their own lives that have become their story. They learn the heart of the writing process is the creation of meaning and a sharing of their own experience.”

Pine said the program serves as an asset to schools as well as to any reading program because it allows students to have a voice.

“The children are allowed to choose their favorite books to read through this program,” said Pine. “This independence in book selection encourages students to reflect on their reading and evaluate their preferences as readers. That’s an important skill to develop on their journey to becoming life-long readers.”