Read Across Texas Resources

The questions and resource materials provided here are intended to support librarians in framing their individual book discussions. You are free to use the questions as listed, to change them, or find others that support your learning objectives.

I. Suggestions to Start Discussions

1. Give a “Cliffs Notes” overview of the book.

2. Read a short passage or if you are using a graphic novel, have a copy of a few pages to handout.

3. Start the discussion there. Some suggested conversation starters:

• “How is the character’s experience in _____________ similar to yours?”
• “How is the character’s experience in ________________ different than yours?”
• “The theme of this seemed to be _______________ and lead me to believe ____________________. What are your thoughts?”

Tips from Lit Lovers

• How to Discuss a Book (helpful discussion tips)
• Generic Discussion Questions—Fiction and Nonfiction
• Read-Think-Talk (a guided reading chart)

Click on a book cover below to download the discussion guide.

A Man Called Ove	Tattoos on the Heart	Dreamers	The Strange

Instructional Webinar

This webinar was broadcast live on March 19, 2019 and is part of the Texas Center for the Book's Read Across Texas - Know Your Neighbor: Cultivating Communities of Compassion.

Librarians who wish to view the recording with the option to then print a continuing education certificate from the Texas State Library should view instructions shown in the text field of this YouTube video.

General Compassion Questions for Read Across Texas

Additional Resources

“Close both eyes see with the other one. Then we are no longer saddled by the burden of our persistent judgments our ceaseless withholding our constant exclusion. Our sphere has widened and we find ourselves quite unexpectedly in a new expansive location in a place of endless acceptance and infinite love.”
― Gregory Boyle, Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

Author Gregory Boyle, aka Father G, has his own website for Homeboy Industries. You can watch his “Thought of the Day” on their Youtube channel.

A Man Called Ove has been  made into a film and is available on Amazon Prime.

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

• Texas librarians and library users can access resource materials through our TexShare program. Look for Dreamers by Yuri Morales on the Teaching Books resource. 
• Educator and student guide by Holiday House (PDF)

Official press release for 2019 Read Across Texas. Feel free to use as a model for your media releases.

Read Across Texas Design Resources