2026 Spirit of Texas Reading List Announced

The Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading Program aims to foster a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Texan and to cultivate 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, high-quality books by Texas authors and illustrators, develop critical reading skills, and foster greater interaction among Texas authors and illustrators, Texas librarians, and Texas youth.

We are excited to announce the 2026 SPOT Reading List!

• The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas by Kimberly Willis Holt (MG)
• The Art Thieves by Andrea Rogers (YA)
• Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn (YA)
• The Hills of Estrella Rojas by Ashley Robin Franklin (YA)
• Los Monstruos: Felice and the Wailing Woman by Diana López (MG)
• The No Brainer’s Guide to Decomposition by Adrianna Cuevas (MG)
• The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flore (MG)
• When We Ride by Rex Ogle (YA)

Explore the full list here.

For more information on the Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading List, visit the Spirit of Texas (SPOT) webpage.

The 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.