Each year, a KBA committee for each grade band chooses ten books that will be featured on each Nominee List (Preschool, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) through a year-long process that requires many volunteer hours. These committees include school librarians, public librarians, academic librarians, and classroom teachers from across the state and represent both public and private schools. Nominee List committees are chaired by KASL members who report to the KBA Coordinator and the KASL Board. Here is some more information on our KBA Committees.
Many schools suggest that students should read at least two books from a Nominee List to be eligible to vote in the annual KBA awards. The specific voting process is determined at the individual school/library level. Schools, libraries, parents, and community organizations participating in and promoting the KBA program should select books from these lists for inclusion in collections and programming that they feel are appropriate for the needs and interests of their patrons or students. The Kentucky Bluegrass Award is designed to encourage students to read widely from well-reviewed literature that reflects a variety of experiences and points of view.
Winners will be announced in April of 2026.
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Lerner Publishing, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Penguin Random House, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Cécile Bergame and Magali Attiogbé on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Red Comet House, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Harper Collins, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Candelwick, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Henry Holt and Co., 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Charlesbridge, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Gabi Snyder and Samantha Cotterill on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Devin Elle Kurtz on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Deborah Underwood and LeUyen Pham on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Clarion Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Peggy Thomas and Neely Daggett on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Feeding Minds Press, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Justin Colón and Pablo Pino on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers , 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Omar Abed and Hatem Aly on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Jennifer Cooper and Jen White on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Sourcebooks Explore, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Bette Westera and Mies Van Hout on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Kristen Tracy and Luisa Uribe on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Random House Studio, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Corey R. Tabor on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Greenwillow Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
X. Fang on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Tundra Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Christy Mandin on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Orchard Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Constance Lombardo and Micah Player on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Hippo Park, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Lynn Brunelle and Julia Patton on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Millbrook Press ™, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Amie Darnell Specht and Shannon Hitchcock on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Rocky Pond Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Jonathan Roth on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Christy Ottaviano Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Lindsay Currie on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Sourcebooks Young Readers, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Ben Lerwill and Grahame Baker-Smith on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Candlewick, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Gillian McDunn on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Chanel Miller on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Philomel Books, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Doogie Horner on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Bethanie Murguia on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Roaring Brook Press, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Suzanne Selfors and Lavanya Naidu on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Viking Books for Young Readers, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Claire Swinarski on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Quill Tree Books, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Toni Buzzeo on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Holiday House, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Pedro Martín on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Dial Books, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Tracey Baptiste on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readerss, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Katherine Rundell on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Sally J. Pla on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Quill Tree Books, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Viking Books for Young Readers, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
John Schu on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Candlewick, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Natasha Preston on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Delacorte Press, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Katherine Marsh on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Roaring Brook Press, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Holly Jackson on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Delacorte Press, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Samuel Teer and Mar Julia on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Versify, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
First Second, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Kathleen Glasgow and LeUyen Pham on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Delacorte Press, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Hannah V. Sawyerr on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Harry N. Abrams, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Megan Lally on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Sourcebooks Fire, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Renée Watson and Ekua Holmes on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Kokila, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Marc J. Gregson on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Peachtree Teen, 2024 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Isabel Ibañez on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Wednesday Books, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage
Vanessa Le on TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks: teaching resources, guides, activities, etc.
Roaring Brook Press, 2023 - Publisher's Book Webpage