On Friday, October 4, Ms. Zimmerman from the Tinley Park Public Library gave a book talk presentation on Monarch and Bluestem Award books to students at Helen Keller Elementary School.
What are Monarch and Bluestem Award books?
- The Monarch Award is given annually to an author and/or illustrator of a book voted as their favorite by participating K-3 children in Illinois. The award is sponsored by the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) and is designed to encourage Illinois students to read critically and become familiar with children's books, authors, and illustrators. It is named in honor of the Monarch Butterfly, Illinois' state insect.
- The Bluestem Award is designed for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than those on the Monarch list. It is named in honor of Big Bluestem, the state prairie grass.