The Winner Is...

 

Ten Rules You Must Absolutely Not Break If You Want to Survive the School Bus

by John Grandits

If you are in Texas, and are in grades 3-6, most likely you were able to participate in this thing called the Texas Bluebonnet Award! In case you haven't heard, it's kind of a big deal. It's like an Oscar, or rather an Independent Spirit award for books.

20 books are nominated each year, and to be eligible to vote, kids have to read a minimum of 5 books. We were a bit frustrated this year at the lack of enthusiasm some students showed towards the importance of the Bluebonnet award. Regardless, our two winning classes had a TON of readers, and they were all super excited.

This book, however adorable it may seem, has caused a stir of controversy as of late. The simple summary of this book is that it's about a young boy about to go on the school bus for the first time. He's scared, as I would be, too, so his older brother gives him a list of things he must do to survive simply getting to school. 

Ten Rules is absolutely adorable. It captures what children fear the most, such as eye contact, scary school bus drivers, and having to sit next to girls. I can see why many kids may have voted for it. I can also see why it's creating such a stir.

Some teachers and librarians feel that because it is a picture book it should not have won. Heavens, their children are in 5th or 6th grade, they couldn't possibly read a picture book. They shouldn't enjoy a picture book.

Wrong.

You see, the Bluebonnet committee picks books they think actual kids will like. Not lofty, pretentious titles that no kid in their right mind would touch. Granted, I think some of the books nominated this year, as well as on the master list for next, are a bit challenging. That's not to say it won't resonate with a certain child.

There are ALL types of kids in this great state of ours. There are different types of families and situations, economic levels and stability, and interest. Maybe children voted for this book because being terrified of a new experience is commonplace; it is something they can not only relate to, but experience more often than some adults.

Though our students for what we thought would be the shoo-in and is actually the runner-up (Wonder by R.J. Palacio), I feel it is thought they don't ride the school bus, so the winning book is somewhat foreign to them. Their circumstances are different than those of kids at public school--and that is ok.

Hullabaloo has been made over the fact that 6th graders are subject to read "childish" literature. Well, if anyone has taken a look at most of these picture books, they would see there is hearty dialogue in most, and a vast vocabulary to enrich the story. It's not "baby" at all. Picture books can be good for all sorts of readers, beginning and not.

Perhaps there needs to be a discussion with those that are displeased that they should read more to their students, join the Bluebonnet committee, or something I'm not thinking of. We should be happy that these children voted for a book that obviously struck a chord with them, instead of belittling what a fabulous story this is. It's great that some of these children even voted at all.

Congratulations, John Grandits!