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Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Current List

A recommended reading list to encourage students to explore current, quality books by Texas authors and illustrators.

Collection Development Statement
The Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading List is not designed to support any particular curriculum. Librarians are not required or expected to purchase every book on the list. Due to the diversity in age range and topics, librarians should follow their local collection development policies and guidelines when considering which titles to purchase for their library.

Annual List

The Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading Program hopes to encourage a greater understanding of what it means to be a Texan and to develop an appreciation for the literary works of and about Texas and Texans. SPOT is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART). The purpose of the list is to encourage youths in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current, quality books from Texas authors and illustrators, develop critical reading skills, and to encourage greater interaction between Texas authors and illustrators, Texas librarians, and Texas youth.

Beginning with the 2020 list, SPOT- Middle and SPOT- High School will be combined into one list.


2024 Nominations

Click the button below to submit a nomination for the 2024 Spirit of Texas Reading List.

2024 SPOT Nomination Form

To see the titles currently nominated for the 2024 Spirit of Texas Reading List, click the button below:

2024 CURRENT SPOT Nominations

To learn more about nomination criteria, please click here.


2023 Spirit of Texas Reading List

2023 SPOT Image

SPOT Resources Website

2023 Spirit of Texas Reading List – Printable Versions

2023 SPOT LIST – ALPHA BY AUTHOR

2023 SPOT LIST – ALPHA BY TITLE

2023 HANDOUT

2023 SPOT Annotated List

Spirit of Texas 2023 Middle-Grade Authors

Jacquetta Feldman Yehudi Mercado J. Elle

Jacquetta Nammar Feldman

Wishing Upon the Same Stars

https://jacquettanammarfeldman.com/

Yehudi Mercado

Chunky and Chunky Goes to Camp

https://www.supermercado.pizza/ 

J. Elle

A  Taste of Magic

https://www.authorjelle.com/

Spirit of Texas 2023 Young Adult + Middle-Grade Authors

Kat Fajardo

Kat Fajardo

Miss Quinces

https://www.katfajardo.com/

Spirit of Texas 2023 Young Adult Authors

Guadalupe Garcia McCallPhoto Credit: Michael Mercado Smith Holly GreenPhoto Credit: Tiffany Asha

Phil Stamper

Photo Credit: Eileen Meny Photography

Amy Tintera

Photo Credit: Stephanie Girard

Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Echoes of Grace

https://ggmccall.com/

Holly Green

In the Same Boat

https://www.hollygreenwrites.com/

Phil Stamper

The Gravity of Us

https://philstamper.com/

Amy Tintera

The Q

https://www.amytintera.com/

Past Authors


YART Volunteers

Ready to take your love of reading young adult books to the next level? Volunteering for one of YART’s reading committee lists allows you to help curate a diverse list of books that meet the needs of all young adults in Texas.  You can also volunteer for one of YART’s executive board positions to help advocate for YA reading, publicize reading lists, work with publishers, and plan conferences.

YART Volunteer Form

While we will keep this form active year-round, please complete the form by October 1, 2023, to be considered for 2024 positions.


Nominate a library worker for the YARI Award.

YARI AWARD NOMINATION GOOGLE FORM


 

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