Bluestem Award 2027: a parent guide to all 20 books

An American Story

A teacher tells her class the story of slavery, from Africa to America. Her students’ questions push her to keep going. The art won the 2024 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

Heads-up: It shows the cruelty of slavery, including people who die at sea. It was written to help adults start this talk.

Call Me Roberto!

Roberto Clemente grew up in Puerto Rico and became a Pittsburgh Pirates star. He fought racism to be treated with respect.

Heads-up: It shows the racism he faced, like being mocked and called “Bob.”

The Iguanodon’s Horn

Early scientists put the iguanodon’s spike on its nose. Later finds showed it belonged on its front feet. A funny look at how science keeps changing.

My Antarctica

Author G. Neri joins the scientists at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Real photos and cartoons show penguins, ice and even the outdoor toilets.

Lost & Found

Mei moves from China to Canada without speaking English. Her drawings help her find her way at school. It’s based on the author’s own move.

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

Magnolia, 10, is stuck at her parents’ New York laundromat all summer. With a new friend, she returns lost socks to their owners. A 2025 Newbery Honor book.

Heads-up: The families face racism, like “Go Home” sprayed on a shop. Child abuse is hinted at, never described.

Mixed-Up

Fifth grader Stella falls behind when every subject needs more reading. Then she finds out she has dyslexia.

Monkey King and the World of Myths

The Monkey King wants to become a god, so he hunts monsters for them. His first stop is Greece and the Minotaur’s maze.

The Very, Very Far North

Duane, a polar bear, befriends an owl, a musk ox, a fox and more. He brings out the best in each one.

Leeva at Last

Leeva’s greedy parents keep her home as their only employee. She slips next door to the library and finds books and friends.

Heads-up: Leeva’s parents starve and mistreat her. It’s cartoonish, but some scenes may upset kids.

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall

A painting vanishes from a small museum, and Rami’s mom is a suspect. A ghostly girl and a turtle help him crack it.

Lola Reyes Is So Not Worried

Fifth grader Lola is grieving her dad. She sneaks his worry dolls home from Guatemala, and they come alive and escape.

Heads-up: Lola’s dad died suddenly, and grief runs through the story.

Eyes on the Ice

Czechoslovakia, 1963. Lukas, 10, and his brother join a youth hockey team. After their dad’s arrest, the secret police push them to throw a game.

Heads-up: It’s tense, with a father’s arrest and secret police watching the family.

Octopus Moon

Pearl, 10, loves the ocean and dreams of being a marine biologist. In fifth grade, a “dark fog” sets in, and a therapist diagnoses depression.

Heads-up: The whole book is about a child’s depression. It’s hopeful, with a helpful author’s note.

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

Clare, an undead fox, guides dead animals to the right afterlife. Then a badger arrives who fits none of them. A 2026 Newbery Honor book.

Heads-up: Death and the afterlife are everywhere, told gently. A girl nearly drowns, and there’s one “crap.”

The Girl and the Robot

Mimi, 12, enters a robotics contest to pay a lawyer for her deported dad. Then a robot from outer space falls to Earth.

Heads-up: Men in white vans take Mimi’s dad away one night. Immigration and a family split apart are at its heart.

Sparkle

Sixth grader Sparkle models and posts online to help her family. Then bald spots appear, and she learns she has alopecia.

Heads-up: Her mom runs her online career, and a friendship gets strained. A good start for a talk about social media.

Speechless

Sixth grader Mira makes stop-motion films at home but can’t speak at school. A therapist helps her find her voice.

Heads-up: Mira is bullied, and the story centers on selective mutism and anxiety.

Right Back at You

Mason, 12, hides a letter in his closet in 2023. Talia finds it in 1987, and they become friends across time.

Heads-up: Bullying, separated parents and antisemitism come up. Talia is teased for being Jewish.

Averil Offline

Averil’s parents track her with an app called Ruby Slippers. She and her friend Max try to stop its maker from adding more spying.

Heads-up: Averil skips coding camp while a friend covers for her. A good start for a talk about phones and trust.